It looks too small to be either one compared to other aircraft around. Perhaps it is a homebuilt replica. These are usually smaller than the fullsize originals and are often sold in kit form from the firms like Loehle Aircraft Corporation (http://www.loehle.com/).
Thanks for the info. You could be right, however, I would wager it's the real McCoy, simply becuase it is parked on the tarmac of a Naval Airstation that has other vintage aircraft like a pair of F9-F8 Cougar parked nearby.
I would imagine other than for airshows, the Navy would not allow home-builts to be birthed at the airstation. But I am only speculating.
if you look at the wing, it is far to curved to be either an F6F or an F4F. and, if you look at the wings and the shadow, the wings look like a gull wing, a unique feature of the F4U. in addition to that, the cockpit looks like it is behind the wing, another tell tale feature of the Corsair. if its not a corsair, then its definately not a hellcat or a wildcat either. maybe a SBD Dauntless?
I cast my vote with voldude123. Here is a Corsair from another map and it appears to have the similar proportions as the one pictured here: http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/19598/
I did a little homework of the North Island Naval Air Station, and it turns out that it was home to the first ever squadron of F4-U Corsairs. Judging by this fact alone, I'm convinced it is a Corsair.
yeah the reason why they had the gull wing was because the propeller was so big that it would hit the ground, but the designers wanted to have short landing gear. pretty ingenious design
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php/Cat/0/Number/101270/page/vc/vc/1
I would imagine other than for airshows, the Navy would not allow home-builts to be birthed at the airstation. But I am only speculating.
http://www.globalaircraft.org/photos/planephotos/f4u_4.jpg
http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/19598/
Here's the background: http://www.fighterfactory.net/airworthy-aircraft/navy-fg-1d-corsair.php