Rare Formation Flight F4U Corsair and F/A-18 Super Hornet to Soar Together at 2024 Oshkosh AirVenture

Post Published July 10, 2024

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Rare Formation Flight F4U Corsair and F/A-18 Super Hornet to Soar Together at 2024 Oshkosh AirVenture - Legacy of Naval Aviation Takes Flight at Oshkosh





The 2024 Oshkosh AirVenture event promises to be a thrilling spectacle for aviation enthusiasts.

A rare formation flight featuring a World War II-era F4U Corsair and a modern F/A-18 Super Hornet will take center stage, showcasing the remarkable progress in naval aviation over the decades.

The inclusion of the EA-18G Growler, a US Navy electronic warfare aircraft, will further enhance the event's celebration of the legacy of naval aviation.

The F4U Corsair, a legendary World War II fighter aircraft, is known for its distinctive inverted gull-wing design, which provided excellent visibility and manoeuvrability for its pilots during aerial combat.

The EA-18G Growler, the US Navy's dedicated electronic warfare aircraft, will demonstrate its impressive capabilities in jamming and disrupting enemy communications and radar systems, showcasing the technological advancements in electronic warfare.

The formation flight of the F4U Corsair and F/A-18 Super Hornet will not only captivate the audience but also provide valuable insight into the evolution of naval aviation, as the two aircraft represent different eras of technological development.

The presence of the C-17 Globemaster III and KC-135 Stratotanker at the Oshkosh AirVenture event underscores the vital role played by these support aircraft in enabling the operational capabilities of modern fighter jets like the Super Hornet.

What else is in this post?

  1. Rare Formation Flight F4U Corsair and F/A-18 Super Hornet to Soar Together at 2024 Oshkosh AirVenture - Legacy of Naval Aviation Takes Flight at Oshkosh
  2. Rare Formation Flight F4U Corsair and F/A-18 Super Hornet to Soar Together at 2024 Oshkosh AirVenture - Rare Opportunity to See Historic and Modern Fighters Together
  3. Rare Formation Flight F4U Corsair and F/A-18 Super Hornet to Soar Together at 2024 Oshkosh AirVenture - Formation Flight Showcases Carrier-Based Aircraft Evolution
  4. Rare Formation Flight F4U Corsair and F/A-18 Super Hornet to Soar Together at 2024 Oshkosh AirVenture - Oshkosh AirVenture 2024 Highlights Naval Aviation Heritage

Rare Formation Flight F4U Corsair and F/A-18 Super Hornet to Soar Together at 2024 Oshkosh AirVenture - Rare Opportunity to See Historic and Modern Fighters Together





Attendees at the 2024 Oshkosh AirVenture will witness a remarkable sight as the historic F4U Corsair and the modern F/A-18 Super Hornet take to the skies in a rare formation flight.

This showcase of the evolution of naval aviation, from the iconic Corsair of World War II to the cutting-edge Super Hornet, promises to captivate aviation enthusiasts and provide a unique opportunity to appreciate the remarkable progress in fighter aircraft technology over the decades.

The Corsair's inverted gull-wing design was not just for aesthetics - it allowed the aircraft to have a longer undercarriage, which was essential for carrier operations, providing improved visibility for the pilot during landing.

The F4U Corsair's distinctive sound, known as the "Whistling Death," was produced by the large propeller tips breaking the sound barrier during high-speed dives, creating a chilling acoustic signature that struck fear in the hearts of Japanese pilots.

During World War II, the Corsair was initially banned from carrier operations due to its tendency to suddenly stall and spin, but after extensive modifications, it eventually became one of the most successful carrier-based fighters in the Pacific theater.

The F/A-18 Super Hornet's advanced fly-by-wire flight control system allows it to perform maneuvers that would be physically impossible for a human pilot to execute in a conventional aircraft, showcasing the remarkable advancements in aviation technology.

The Corsair's powerful 2,000 horsepower Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine, which was also used in the legendary P-47 Thunderbolt, was a testament to the engineering prowess of the era and played a crucial role in the aircraft's impressive performance.

While the Corsair was designed primarily as a fighter, its versatility was demonstrated by its use as a ground-attack aircraft, capable of carrying a significant ordnance load and supporting ground troops during the latter stages of World War II and the Korean War.


Rare Formation Flight F4U Corsair and F/A-18 Super Hornet to Soar Together at 2024 Oshkosh AirVenture - Formation Flight Showcases Carrier-Based Aircraft Evolution





The formation flight of the F4U Corsair and F/A-18 Super Hornet at the 2024 Oshkosh AirVenture will offer a unique perspective on the evolution of carrier-based aircraft.

This rare pairing will showcase the technological leaps made in naval aviation, from the propeller-driven workhorse of World War II to the cutting-edge jet fighter of today.

Visitors will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the advancements in aerodynamics, propulsion, and combat capabilities that have shaped modern carrier operations.

The F4U Corsair's unique inverted gull-wing design allowed for a shorter, more robust landing gear, crucial for carrier operations, while the F/A-18 Super Hornet utilizes advanced composite materials and a digital fly-by-wire system for enhanced maneuverability.

Despite being separated by over 70 years of technological advancement, both aircraft share a common trait in their ability to fold their wings, a feature essential for maximizing deck space on aircraft carriers.

The F4U Corsair's top speed of 446 mph was revolutionary for its time, while the F/A-18 Super Hornet can reach speeds of up to Mach 8, showcasing the exponential increase in aircraft performance over the decades.

The Corsair's distinctive engine sound, nicknamed "Whistling Death" by Japanese forces, was due to air passing through the wing-root air intakes, while the Super Hornet's advanced acoustics are designed to minimize its audio signature.

1 during World War II made it one of the most effective fighter aircraft of its era, while the F/A-18 Super Hornet's advanced avionics and weapons systems make it a formidable multi-role fighter in modern warfare.

The Corsair's cockpit was notoriously cramped and offered limited visibility, whereas the Super Hornet features a spacious glass cockpit with advanced heads-up display and multifunctional screens, illustrating the evolution in pilot ergonomics and situational awareness.

While the Corsair relied on mechanical linkages for flight control, the Super Hornet employs a sophisticated digital fly-by-wire system that can make up to 87 control surface corrections per second, vastly improving handling and stability.

The F4U Corsair's range of 1,015 miles was impressive for its time, but the F/A-18 Super Hornet's combat radius of over 1,275 miles, coupled with its ability to refuel in-flight, demonstrates the significant advancements in operational capabilities for carrier-based aircraft.


Rare Formation Flight F4U Corsair and F/A-18 Super Hornet to Soar Together at 2024 Oshkosh AirVenture - Oshkosh AirVenture 2024 Highlights Naval Aviation Heritage





The 2024 Oshkosh AirVenture will feature an impressive lineup of aerial demonstrations, including high-performance jet teams and the popular Polaris Ghost Squadron.

Aviation enthusiasts can look forward to thrilling displays from the F-22 demo team, F-16 Viper demo team, and the F-35B demo from the US Marine Corps, showcasing the cutting-edge capabilities of modern military aircraft.

This event promises to be a must-see for anyone interested in the past, present, and future of aviation technology.

The 2024 Oshkosh AirVenture will feature a unique display of naval aviation technology spanning eight decades, with the F4U Corsair's first flight in 1940 and the F/A-18 Super Hornet's introduction in

The F4U Corsair's engine, the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp, was capable of producing 2,000 horsepower, while the F/A-18 Super Hornet's two General Electric F414 turbofan engines generate a combined thrust of 44,000 pounds.

During the formation flight, attendees will witness a stark contrast in aircraft size, with the F4U Corsair's wingspan measuring 41 feet compared to the F/A-18 Super Hornet's 9 feet, despite the significant difference in their operational capabilities.

The event will showcase the evolution of carrier landing systems, from the Corsair's tailhook and arresting wire system to the Super Hornet's advanced Automatic Carrier Landing System (ACLS).

Visitors can observe the progression of cockpit technology, from the Corsair's analog instruments to the Super Hornet's glass cockpit featuring multi-function displays and advanced avionics.

The formation flight will demonstrate the advancements in aircraft maneuverability, with the Super Hornet capable of executing a 5-G turn compared to the Corsair's maximum of 4-G turns.

Attendees will have the opportunity to compare the vastly different weapons systems, from the Corsair's six .50-caliber machine guns to the Super Hornet's M61A2 Vulcan rotary cannon and advanced missile capabilities.

The event will highlight the progression in aircraft materials, from the Corsair's primarily aluminum construction to the Super Hornet's use of composite materials for improved strength-to-weight ratio and stealth characteristics.

Aviation enthusiasts can appreciate the advancements in fuel efficiency, with the Super Hornet's ability to cruise at Mach 8 while maintaining similar fuel consumption rates to the subsonic Corsair.
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