Does anyone know how thick the cockpit armor was on the F4U Corsair? I'm doing some research and can't seem to find the answer anywhere. Thanks!
William Green states the F4U-4 had a redesigned cockpit introducing an armour plated bucket seat and additional 197lb of armour overall. No figures for thickness thoug.
That's about all I could find as well. I think I may have to go to a museum and see if I can get into the cockpit and measure. There's on in Miramar and I believe they have a Corsair there. Thanks for the help!
The cockpit armor continued to be upgraded as the models changed, I think it started with about 155 lbs and ended up with that higher amount plus an armored bucket seat instead of a regular seat with a steel plate behind it. You might have some luck going to this site and posting your query on their bulletin board: Vought F4U Corsair - fighter I checked it out, but didn't know which model you were curious about so I didn't feel like posting for ya. It was still active though, and has a few pilots of that wonderful bird posting.
How many Allied aircraft where actually designed for pilot saftey. According to what I found... Not too many.
