Grumman F4F Wildcat

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Grumman F4F Wildcat

This short but rugged plane was the main fighter for the U.S. Navy during the hard-fought first year of the war. It saw action at the Coral Sea, Midway, and the Solomons Campaign. Despite arguments that it was no match for the Mitsubishi Zero, it more than held its own, due to its solid construction and the quality of the pilots that flew it. While it was replaced by the F6F Hellcat in most Navy fighter squadrons during 1943, the Wildcat continued to be used from escort carriers until the end of the war.

Type: Fighter

Crew: 1 (Pilot)

Armament: six .50 cal machine guns

Specifications

Length: 28' 11.5" (8.83 m)

Height: 11' 9" (3.58 m)

Wingspan: 38' (11.58 m)

Max Weight: 7975 lb (3616 kg)

Propulsion

Engines: 1

Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-1830-36 Twin Wasp

1200 hp

Performance

Range: 770 miles (1239 km)

Speed: 318 mph (512 km/h)

Ceiling: 34800 ft (10607 m)

Click here for more F4F pictures.


	Classic Combat Aircraft \| home Grumman F4F Wildcat This short but rugged plane was the main fighter for the U.S. Navy during the hard-fought first year of the war. It saw action at the Coral Sea, Midway, and the Solomons Campaign. Despite arguments that it was no match for the Mitsubishi Zero, it more than held its own, due to its solid construction and the quality of the pilots that flew it. While it was replaced by the F6F Hellcat in most Navy fighter squadrons during 1943, the Wildcat continued to be used from escort carriers until the end of the war. Type: Fighter Crew: 1 (Pilot) Armament: six .50 cal machine guns Specifications Length: 28' 11.5" (8.83 m) Height: 11' 9" (3.58 m) Wingspan: 38' (11.58 m) Max Weight: 7975 lb (3616 kg) Propulsion Engines: 1 Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-1830-36 Twin Wasp 1200 hp Performance Range: 770 miles (1239 km) Speed: 318 mph (512 km/h) Ceiling: 34800 ft (10607 m) Click here for more F4F pictures.