Text and Photography by Michael Hoffman

Aviation history was on display at Sikorsky Memorial Airport over the Memorial Day weekend in celebration of the anniversary of the Vought F4U Corsair. Corsairs Over Connecticut: Wings & Wheels was presented by Three Wings Flight Service of Stratford to benefit the Discovery Museum.

Five of the bent-wing warbirds flew back to the nest of their birth.  Back to the airfield where the Corsair prototype made its maiden flight 70 years earlier – to the day – on May 29, 1940.

Built by Connecticut’s own Chase Vought Aircraft Corporation, these fighters were soon tested in the Pacific Theater of World War II.  The uniquely designed wing, large propeller and improved engine gave the F4U the ability to fly 400 mph, and became the first Allied aircraft to successfully fight-off the Japanese Zero’s.

The Corsair earned the reputation as being the ‘finest American fighter-plane in World War II.  It continued to serve the U.S. military throughout the conflict in Korea, ‘accounting for 80 pre cent of all ground attack missions flown by Marine and Navy units combined.’  After Korea, it was enlisted by the French against the Viet Minh during the early and mid-1950’s.  Production of the Corsair stopped in 1953.

Only 25 Corsairs are deemed airworthy today, and five took fight over Sikorsky Field..  The planes ‘screamed’ over the airfield, as they had during their prime, leaving little doubt as to the meaning of the nickname they were given by the Japanese, ‘Whistling Death.’  As the Corsairs reached speeds of 400 mph, the air ‘whistled’ a shrieking tune over its bent wings, which usually meant the demise of anyone in their path.

Four of the five Corsairs flew in formation – a very rare site   And in honor of all veterans – and the heros who were lost in battle – a Missing Man Formation was flown in salute of their service to the Country

In 2005, the Vought-Sikorsky F4U Corsair was designated by the state of Connecticut to be its ‘State Aircraft.’