During World War II, the F4U Corsair had proven itself to be such a successful design that Vought was not prepared for the demand for increased production of this aircraft. As a result, the work was licensed to out the Goodyear Aircraft Corporation, who built 4,006 total FG-1 designated Corsairs.
The Brewster Aeronautical Corporation also built Corsairs, but only 735 of their F3A-1 would make it off the assembly. After only one year, from July 1943 to July 1944, their contract was canceled due to manufacturing and mechanical unreliability issues.
While Vought was completing their contractual obligations and was willing to move on to other projects, Goodyear decided to develop the Corsair even further and in early 1944, test flew an extensively modified FG-1 airframe, coupled with an even more powerful radial engine, designated the XF2G-1.
Despite being awarded a contract for the new "Super Corsair," only five of the new F2G-1 (land-based version)and F2G-2 (carrier version) were completed by war's end. The Grumman F8F Bearcat had demonstrated similar performance figures to the F2G, while equiped with the less powerful original F4U engine.
Two "Super Corsairs" survive today (both F2G-1's) with one still in flying condition.
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