With a top speed of 318 mph (512 km/h), the Wildcat was outperformed by the faster [331 mph (533 km/h)], more maneuverable, and longer-ranged Mitsubishi A6M Zero.

The F3F, which inherited the Leroy Grumman -designed retractable main landing gear configuration first used on the Grumman FF, served as the basis for a biplane design ultimately developed into the much more successful F4F Wildcat that succeeded the subpar Buffalo.

First flown in February 1939, the rugged and heavily armed F4F Wildcat became the Navy/Marine Corps premier fighter until late 1942. This F4F-3 is displayed in the markings in which it was...

The only flying F4F-3 Wildcat in the world. First flown in 1939 the F4F-3 Wildcat was, on paper, at a severe disadvantage against its Japa-nese counterpart, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero which was faster, lighter, and more maneuverable.

As the front-line U.S. naval fighter in the first years of World War II, the faced off against the Japanese Zero, which boasted superior maneuverability, speed and range. The F4F took …

To make room for Hellcat production at the Grumman plant, the production of F4F Wildcats was turned over to the Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors for the remainder of the war. The Wildcat remains the only US Navy fighter that was produced throughout the entirety of World War II.

Naval Aviation's premier fighter aircraft when the United States entered World War II, the F4F Wildcat contrasted sharply with its primary adversary in the Pacific, the vaunted Japanese Zero.

Feb 20, 2025 · The Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat was a single-engine, single-place, mid-wing monoplane fighter designed for operation from aircraft carriers. F4F-4 and later variants had folding wings for a smaller “foot print” while stored aboard.

With aerial tactics devised to make the most of the rugged Wildcat and to confuse and outmaneuver the Mitsubishis, the tough old cat maintained a ratio of seven enemy aircraft downed to every single F4 lost. Lewis Air Legends is especially proud of this F4F-3.

Mar 19, 2007 · A well balanced look at the combat service of the Grumman F4F Wildcat, the most important Allied naval fighter for most of the Second World War, looking at its service with the …