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Grumman F4F Wildcat


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The original XF4F proposal was a biplane like the plane it was to replace, the Grumman F3F.  Because Brewster was proposing a monoplane, Grumman changed their design.

The prototype first flew in 1937.  Problems with engine overheating delayed production until 1940 with deliveries to front-line squadrons just in time to be available at the outbreak of WWII.

The Wildcat held the line against Japanese juggernaut in the early battles in the Pacific until replaced by (you guessed it) the Grumman F6F Hellcat late in 1943.

Note: the landing gear design on the Wildcat had been pioneered by Grumman, in fact was responsible for Grumman's pre-eminence in U.S. Navy fighter aircraft in the late thirties.  Grumman entered the aviation world in 1930 with a center float with retractable landing gear for U.S. Navy floatplanes (the Model G-1).

     
Specifications (F4F-4)

Designations

 

 

 

Type: Fighter
Engine: one 1,200 hp (895 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1830-36 Twin Wasp
F4F: U.S. Navy fighter
FM: license built by General Motors (Eastern Aircraft)
Martlet: British name (used by the Fleet Air Arm)
     

Related Pages

 

Related Websites

     
More about Grumman Aircraft
More about General Motors
 
Vectorsite: F4F Wildcat
Wikipedia article
     

Stuff You Can Buy

 

Display Model:
1/48 scale
Die Cast

Print:
Wildcat Fury
David Gray

Book:
F4F Wildcat in action
Squadron/Signal
 

 

 

 

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© Kenneth W Shanaberger 2000 - 2010