The F4U had a three-blade prop from the XF4U-1. The F4U-4 introduced the
four-blade prop on production Corsairs. (The XF4U-3 had a four-blade
prop, but didn't go into production, and the prototypes were returned to
their F4U-1 initial state.)

I have a formerly classified file of a Vought tech-reps final tour report from
1943. The guy traveled everywhere in the South West Pacific theater, checking
on the servicability and operational needs of all US units that used Corsairs
at that point in the war. He hit every island that supported Corsair
operations, recording every nit pick and shortage among each unit, at times
under direct enemy attack. Planes crashed in front of him, he occasionally
landed at forward airstrips in the middle of battles and airraids.

The only serial problem that the report contains is a repeated cry for tires -
since the F6F-3, F4U-1, and TBFs all used the same 32x8 tire, they were in
critically short supply. Other problem areas include the cartridge starters
and nagging issues with the voltage regulators. The report has comments about
every aspect of Corsair operations - surprising to me is that nearly every unit
he visited requested a modification for a locked-wing Corsair, with the wing
fold mechanism removed for weight saving and increased roll rate.

As to props - this is old Jack's only comments:


TOUR OF INSPECTION OF THE SOUTH AND CENTRAL PACIFIC AREAS COVERING F4U-1
OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE, AND SPARES. 30 DEC 1943 LT JOHN J. HOSPERS, USNR

Page 32 Material and Equipment

56. All Squadrons have been informed that the F6F-3 propellor is
interchangeable with the F4U-1 and that this paddle blade design will improve
the performance of the F4U-1.

v/r
Gordon

====(A+C====
USN SAR

Its always better to lose -an- engine, not -the- engine.