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All About the Corsair Trivia Quiz

Here are some questions about one of the most recognizable aircraft of WWII. Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by ssn651. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
ssn651

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
347,267

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
514

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 88 (8/10), Guest 206 (8/10), Guest 174 (5/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In the designation F4U Corsair what does the "U" stand for? Hint

Universal fighter

Retractable undercarriage

The Navy code of the manufacturing company

Aircraft under development

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Question 2 of 10

2. The Corsair was powered by the state of the art Pratt & Whitney R2800 Double Wasp. What other aircraft was powered by the same engine? Hint

Boeing B17

Northrop F15

Curtis SB2C Helldiver

Boeing B29

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Question 3 of 10

3. The Japanese gave the Corsair an ominous nickname, do you recall what it was? Hint

Galloping Ghost

Blue Banzai

Bent-Wing Bandit

Whistling Death

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Question 4 of 10

4. The Corsair was a premier naval fighter. Which navy did the the Corsair become carrier qualified in first? Hint

RAN

USN

Kriegsmarine

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Question 5 of 10

5. The distinctive "gull" wings of the Corsair were specifically designed to provide? Hint

Easy pilot entry and machine gun access

Better oil cooling and streamlining

Propeller clearance and shorten landing gear

Increase roll rate and slow carrier approaches

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Question 6 of 10

6. Due to wartime demands, Vought and two other companies produced the Corsair. Which were the other two? Hint

Brewster & Goodyear

Boeing & Curtis

Douglas & Goodyear

Curtis & Northrop

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Question 7 of 10

7. During WWII, what was the one distinguishing (visible) modification of the Royal Navy's carrier based Corsairs? Hint

Metric tire size

Taller vertical rudder

Clipped wingtips

A "4" bladed propeller

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Question 8 of 10

8. The Corsair of Ensign Jesse L. Brown, (The first African-American Naval Aviator) was shot down by ground fire in what year? Hint

1944

1950

1945

1952

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Question 9 of 10

9. We all know that the Corsair wreaked havoc against Japanese shipping in WWII, but can you name a German ship that the Corsair faced in anger? Hint

U488

Tirpitz

Bismarck

U571

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Last question. The Corsair gained new popularity in the 1970's with the TV show "Black Sheep Squadron". In that show which actor portrayed "Pappy" Boyington? Hint

Frank Cannon

Robert Conrad

Jan Micheal Vincent

Jack Lord

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Oct 17 2024 : Guest 88: 8/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In the designation F4U Corsair what does the "U" stand for?

Answer: The Navy code of the manufacturing company

The "U" represented the Navy code of the manufacturing company, in this case Vought Aircraft Company. As examples: Grumman Aircraft Company was "F", Hence the F6F Hellcat, Curtis Aircraft was "C" hence, SB2C Helldiver.

2. The Corsair was powered by the state of the art Pratt & Whitney R2800 Double Wasp. What other aircraft was powered by the same engine?

Answer: Northrop F15

The P & W R2800 powered many outstanding aircraft of WWII - too many to list them all here. The Northrop F15 Reporter was a recon version of the P61 Black Widow, both which were powered by the R2800. The F15 had its first flight in Oct. of 1945. The modern jet powered F15 is made by McDonnell Douglas. (1972)
The Boeing bombers had Wright Cyclone engines, The B17 had Wright 1820's. The B29 had Wright 3350's and The Helldiver cruised the Pacific with a Wright 2600.

3. The Japanese gave the Corsair an ominous nickname, do you recall what it was?

Answer: Whistling Death

The placement of the oil coolers in the wing roots produced a distinct whistle during dives by the Corsair.

4. The Corsair was a premier naval fighter. Which navy did the the Corsair become carrier qualified in first?

Answer: RN

At the beginning of the Corsair's wartime career, poor carrier landing qualities forced the US Navy to hand the Corsair to the marines. The slow transition and short range of the Royal Navy's Seafires, forced Britain to adapt the Corsair. The Royal Navy overcame the Corsair landing problems and qualified the Corsair for carrier duty nearly a year before the US Navy.

5. The distinctive "gull" wings of the Corsair were specifically designed to provide?

Answer: Propeller clearance and shorten landing gear

The Corsair's massive propeller required over a 13-foot clearance. Hard carrier landings forced designers of the time to keep landing gear short rather than beefing up longer gear which would have added to the weight.

6. Due to wartime demands, Vought and two other companies produced the Corsair. Which were the other two?

Answer: Brewster & Goodyear

Goodyear turned out a vast number of Corsairs and eventually surpassed Vought in total numbers. Goodyear Corsairs went mostly to the marines. Brewster picked up the slack in mostly filling the orders of US Allies.

7. During WWII, what was the one distinguishing (visible) modification of the Royal Navy's carrier based Corsairs?

Answer: Clipped wingtips

The hanger deck of British carriers was not as tall as their American counterparts. To fit the Corsair below decks the RN "clipped" 8 inches off the Corsair wingtips. The was also found to help the Corsair sink smoothly during carrier approaches. This helped pilots judge their landings better. Clipped wings were a 2 for 1 bonus!

8. The Corsair of Ensign Jesse L. Brown, (The first African-American Naval Aviator) was shot down by ground fire in what year?

Answer: 1950

Ensign Jesse L. Brown (1926-1950) was shot down on December 4th 1950, during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War. Ensign Brown was from Hattiesburg, MS.

9. We all know that the Corsair wreaked havoc against Japanese shipping in WWII, but can you name a German ship that the Corsair faced in anger?

Answer: Tirpitz

Corsairs of the Royal Navy took part in action on the Tirpitz in April 1944. This raid on the Tirpitz anchored in Norway is a strong indicator of the many theaters of operation the Corsair flew in during WWII.

10. Last question. The Corsair gained new popularity in the 1970's with the TV show "Black Sheep Squadron". In that show which actor portrayed "Pappy" Boyington?

Answer: Robert Conrad

Frank Cannon was a fictional TV detective portrayed by William Conrad. Jack Lord is best remembered as Steve McGarrett on Hawaii 5-O. Jan Micheal Vincent was the pilot of the TV helicopter show "Airwolf" and Robert Conrad ("Wild Wild West") played Pappy Boyington in Black Sheep Squadron.

Source: Author ssn651

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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