Smithsonian Air and Space Museum / Corsair- First proposed in 1938, the Vought F4U Corsair first took to the air on May 1, 1940. Powered by the Pratt and Whitney 2800 Double Wasp Richard Erwin                                           air-cooled radial engine, which developed 1850 hp, the Corsair became the first plane to exceed 400 mph in level flight. The distinctive inverted 8/10/2009                                                  gull-wing design was the result of the need to accomodate the extra-long propeller (13 feet 4 inches diameter) and the short, stout landing gear                                                                     strong enough to survive the pounding of carrier deck landings. One of the big problems with the Corsair was the long high nose which made it                                                                     difficult for the pilot to see the deck immediately in front of him. Later versions of the Corsair featured a more powerful engine and a 4-blade prop.