Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: United States
Type: Fighter Aircraft (Carrier-Based)
Manufacturer: Grumman
Grumman F4F Wildcat Aircraft Overview
The Grumman F4F Wildcat was a carrier-based fighter aircraft that was used by the United States Navy and Marine Corps during World War II. It was designed and produced by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, and served as the primary fighter for the US Navy during the early years of the war, before being gradually replaced by newer models such as the F6F Hellcat.
The F4F Wildcat was a single-engine, single-seat fighter, and was known for its ruggedness and durability. It had a top speed of around 318 mph (512 km/h), and was armed with six .50-caliber machine guns. The Wildcat played a key role in several important battles, including the Battle of Midway, where it helped to repel a Japanese attack on the US fleet.
Overall, the Grumman F4F Wildcat was a reliable and effective fighter aircraft that played a significant role in the early years of World War II.
Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Length: 28 ft 9 in (8.76 m)
- Wingspan: 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m)
- Height: 11 ft 10 in (3.61 m)
- Wing area: 260 sq ft (24 m2)
- Airfoil: root: NACA 23015; tip: NACA 23009
- Empty weight: 4,907 lb (2,226 kg)
- Gross weight: 7,423 lb (3,367 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-76 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,200 hp (890 kW)
- Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propeller.
Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat Performance
- Maximum speed: 331 mph (533 km/h, 288 kn)
- Range: 845 mi (1,360 km, 734 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 39,500 ft (12,000 m)
- Rate of climb: 2,303 ft/min (11.70 m/s)
- Wing loading: 28.5 lb/sq ft (139 kg/m2)
- Power/mass: 0.282 kW/kg (0.172 hp/lb)
Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat Armament
- Guns: 4 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) AN/M2 Browning machine guns with 450 rounds per gun.
- Bombs: 2 × 100 lb (45.4 kg) bombs and/or 2 × 58 US gal (48 imp gal; 220 l) drop tanks.
