Initially accepted by the US Navy in preference to Grumman’s XF4F-2 was the Brewster XF2A-1 Buffalo. This was the Navy’s first monoplane fighter.
FM-2 of a US Navy Stateside training unit, late 1944.
HVAR rocket equipped FM-2 of VC-88, assigned to the USS ‘Hoggatt Bay’, December 1944 - February 1945.
FM-2 of VC-10, as operated from the USS ‘Fanshaw Bay’, July 1945.
Caught close to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, during the EAA Convention 1995, F4F-3 N3210D (BuAer 12296) and F4F-3 N12260 (BuAer 12260) formate on the camera. Both ditched into Lake Michigan (June 1943 and May 1944 respectively) and were salvaged in 1991. The lake has been a rich source of Wildcats, all in amazing condition, these two taking to the air again in June 1995 and July 1994 respectively.
Wildcat pair formate over the skies of Oshkosh
Прототип XF4F-2 (BuNo.0383) был похож на бочку еще больше, чем его предшественники F2F и F3F. Обратите внимание на скругленную форму киля, передняя кромка которого перпендикулярна фюзеляжу.
The prototype XF4F-2, BuNo 0383 with R-1830-66 driving the original 10ft (3m) propeller, 1937.
Pre-delivery shot of the one of 95 F4F-3As (BuNo 3906). The variant was powered by an R-1830-90.
Grumman XF4F-3 (BuNo 0383) in 1940 with large experimental spinner, revised empennage and natural metal finish.
Новый "Уайлдкэт" F4F-4 летал еще хуже своего предшественника F4F-3.
US Navy F4F-4 in earlier wartime markings and with standard manually-operated folding wings.
XF4F-8 BuNo 12228 evolved into the FM-2 with taller fin and rudder. It is seen here at Bethpage in November 1943.
Busy ramp scene with FM-2 BuNo 47152 from the second production batch.
The definitive production version of the Wildcat, the General Motors-built FM-2.
The XF4F-2 in 1938 with smaller diameter propeller and spinner with a 100lb (45.3kg) bomb under each wing.
BuNo 0383 in XF4F-3 guise running up its XR-1830-76. It made its first flight on December 2, 1939.
The changing profile of the Wildcat prototype, BuNo 0383. Top to bottom: XF4F-2 as first flown 1937; XF4F-2 1938; following conversion to XF4F-3 guise, early 1939; late 1939; and 1940 as tested at Langley Field.
Genesis of the F4F monoplane is apparent here in Grumman’s last biplane fighter for the US Navy. This XF3F-3 prototype (BuNo 1031) and 27 production machines were built in 1938.
