Fantastic F4F/FM-2 Wildcat flying video...
- Thread starter bunk22
- Start date
A Life Aloft
Well-Known Member
That is a great video! What a beautiful plane. I don't know what improvements GM had made to the engine though for this variant. Do you happen to know? Still a Wright engine though?
bunk22
Well-Known Member
http://www.cavanaughflightmuseum.com/Aircraft/Wildcat/Page1.html
And some good info on it and VC-27 which was the highest scoring FM-2 squadron in the USN in WWII and had the highest scoring Navy Wildcat ace, LT Ralph Elliot, with 9 confirmed kills. His pic is midway down. Some comparison with the Zero as well. Interesting tidbit in that if the air to air score is separated between the F4F-3/4 Wildcat and FM-2 Wildcat, the FM-2 had the highest kill ratio of any US fighter in WWII, with ~ 440 kills vs 11 known losses to enemy aircraft, a 44 to 1 kill ratio.
http://www.philcrowther.com/VC27/Aircraft.htm
The FM-2 differed from the original Grumman F4F in a number of ways. The FM-2 had a lighter, yet more powerful Wright R-1820 radial engine. Additionally, the plane carried four rather than six .50 caliber machine guns and was often fitted with HVARs (High-Velocity Aircraft Rockets) for use against ground targets, ships or surfaced submarines. The FM-2 also had a larger tail than the standard F4F to counter the increased torque produced by the Wright engine.
The FM2 motor was rated at 1,350 hp using a Wright R-1820-56 "Cyclone" vs 1,200hp for the F4F Wildcat. Its operational max take-off weight was 8,271 lbs versus 8,762 lbs for the F4F. The FM-2 had a greater rate of climb, I think almost 1000 ft/min faster and was slightly more maneuverable as well.
And some good info on it and VC-27 which was the highest scoring FM-2 squadron in the USN in WWII and had the highest scoring Navy Wildcat ace, LT Ralph Elliot, with 9 confirmed kills. His pic is midway down. Some comparison with the Zero as well. Interesting tidbit in that if the air to air score is separated between the F4F-3/4 Wildcat and FM-2 Wildcat, the FM-2 had the highest kill ratio of any US fighter in WWII, with ~ 440 kills vs 11 known losses to enemy aircraft, a 44 to 1 kill ratio.
http://www.philcrowther.com/VC27/Aircraft.htm
The FM-2 differed from the original Grumman F4F in a number of ways. The FM-2 had a lighter, yet more powerful Wright R-1820 radial engine. Additionally, the plane carried four rather than six .50 caliber machine guns and was often fitted with HVARs (High-Velocity Aircraft Rockets) for use against ground targets, ships or surfaced submarines. The FM-2 also had a larger tail than the standard F4F to counter the increased torque produced by the Wright engine.
The FM2 motor was rated at 1,350 hp using a Wright R-1820-56 "Cyclone" vs 1,200hp for the F4F Wildcat. Its operational max take-off weight was 8,271 lbs versus 8,762 lbs for the F4F. The FM-2 had a greater rate of climb, I think almost 1000 ft/min faster and was slightly more maneuverable as well.
A Life Aloft
Well-Known Member
Thank you so much for the info and the links! I really like the old fighters, but I am best versed on the Boeings. I have forgotten so much on other manufacturer's planes over the years. I will be reading/looking at the links this week. Damn, that is some rate of climb. I did not even notice the tail difference either. Was the ceiling the same? Just an amazing aircraft. Thanks again for the info, will be some great reading.
A Life Aloft
Well-Known Member
Thanks. I will do more research/ further reading, including your links. I assumed that would be the case. Appreciate your time.