 CHANCE VOUGHT XAU-1 CORSAIR
Credit: Richard Marmo collection Seen here, in what is probably a factory photograph, is a prototype XAU-1 Corsair. Originally designated the XF4U-6, the test bed was converted from an F4U-5, then was redesignated the XAU-1 and finally went into production in 1952 as the AU-1. Designed specifically for requirements of the Korean Theatre, the aircraft could carry up to 4,000 lbs. of bombs or ten rockets. The AU-1 would also become the first Navy aircraft to carry the "attack" designation. Interestingly, this aircraft has a white cowl band with darker sections (possibly red) at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions. And it carries standard Navy markings in combination with the word "Test" on the fuselage and "XAU-1" on the cowl.
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