Widowmaker: Living and Dying with the Corsair

by Tim Hillier-Graves

The dramatic history behind one of WWII’s most powerful—and dangerous—planes, “spiced with many first-hand accounts, American and British” (Aeroplane).Despite everything, I felt very lucky to have flown Corsairs. They were the best, you know, even though it took me some time to realize this when so many friends died flying them. —Colin Facer, Corsair pilot, HMS IllustriousThe Vought-Sikorsky Corsair was one of the most potent fighters of WWII—and one of the most flawed. Conceived by Rex Beisel, Vought’s Chief Designer in 1938, it was condemned by the US Navy as too dangerous for carrier operations and wasn’t certified for use at sea. With British companies unable to build fighters with sufficient range and potency for carrier use, the Admiralty sought alternatives, and due to Roosevelt’s Lend Lease program, they could acquire weapons from American factories. In practice, this meant standing in line behind the US military for service, but it still opened up new opportunities. So with newly built Corsairs being stockpiled and the promise of an improved version to come, the Royal Navy saw an opening worthy of development and exploited it.By the end of the war, the Fleet Air Arm had acquired more than 2,000 Corsairs to equip its squadrons. But the risks identified by the USN were largely ignored by the Royal Navy and far too many men and aircraft were lost in accidents as a result. Yet in the hands of experienced carrier pilots, its virtues were only too apparent and, in due course, they achieved great things. Eventually, the US Navy noted this “success” and certified the Corsair for use on their carriers too, but the aircraft never entirely lost its reputation as a “widowmaker.”This book, with photos included, describes the Corsair’s development and tells the sad but inspiring story of the young men who struggled and suffered to make the Corsair a going concern in the most vicious, unforgiving war one can imagine. The author met and corresponded with almost a hundred veterans from America, Britain, New Zealand, and Canada. Their recollections made this book possible—and through their vivid memories we can experience what it felt like to be barely of age, a civilian called to arms, and a fighter pilot.

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2020

Reviews

[Patrick Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable, very informative book. I thought the author did an excellent job of blending statistics, mission logs and personal remembrances into an easy flowing narrative. Once the book got on topic, I thought it was excellent. The only reason I didn't give the book five stars was the amount of "filler" at the beginning of the book. Almost the first third of the book is about the life of the chief designer of the Corsair, his difficult childhood, struggles, education, corporate advancement, etc. When that isn't enough we even get shorter backgrounds on executives at other companies that built the engines and the propellers. Perhaps some readers might enjoy that but I would have much rather read more from interviews with surviving pilots then get a rundown on the corporate hierarchy at Chance-Vought.