Originally designed in 1940, the Wildcat initially lost out to the Brewster Buffalo (see below) as the US navy's new carrier-borne fighter. However, because Grumman had a good track record with the Navy while Brewster had none, continued development was allowed. Eventually, some 1200 were ordered.
The Wildcat was the US Navy's primary fighter in 1942 and most of 1943 (when it began to be replaced by the F6F Hellcat). While not as maneuverable as the A6M Zero, it was more rugged and in any event was the best available. Early models lacked folding wings, which together with operational doctrine, limited fleet carriers to about 20 Wildcats each. After being replaced on the fleet carriers, Wilcats continued to be used until the end of the war on smaller escort carriers.
Some 80 Wildcats had been ordered by the French, but with the fall of France in 1940, the British took over the order, naming the aircraft Marlets.
Brewster F2A Buffalo
This plane was somewhat similar to the Wildcat in terms of performance.
However, it had a smaller wing (82 hp each) and was less maneuverable (aMR
4.25). Aside from the Battle of Midway, where it was clearly shown to be
inferior to Japanese planes, few saw combat and they were relegated to
second-line duties.
Subassemblies: Body +3, two STOL Wings +2, three Wheels +1
P&P: 725 kW supercharged HP gasoline engine w/aerial propeller
(2175 lbs thrust)
Fuel: 105 gallons aviation gasoline (fire chance: 14) in 3 self-sealing
fuel tanks (45 gallons body, 30 gallons each wing), 2.9 hours endurance
(774 miles @80% top speed)
Occ: 1 NCS
Cargo: 1 cf
| Armor | All | ||||
| Body | 1/2 | ||||
| Wings | 1/2 | ||||
| Wheels | 2/5 |
Weaponry
3*.50-cal Browning machine guns [RWing:F] (300 rounds each)
3*.50-cal Browning machine guns [LWing:F] (300 rounds each)
550 lb hardpoint [LWi] (50 or 58 gallon drop tank)
550 lb hardpoint [RWi] (50 or 58 gallon drop tank)
Equipment
Body: long range radio, environmental controls, DR 20 back armor,
arrestor hook
Statistics
| Size: 12'x38'x28' | Payload: 1240 lbs | Lwt: 6865 lbs (3.43 tons) |
| Volume: 243.9 cf (Size Mod: +3) | Maint.: 62 hours | Price: $104,100 |
HT: 12
HP: 271 [body], 96 [each wing]
Hardpoints Loaded
| aSpeed: 323 | aAccel: 6 | aDecel: 20 | aMR: 4.25 | aSR: 4 | aDrag: 156.3 |
| Stall: 71 mph | Takeoff: 135 yards | Landing: 126 yards |
Hardpoints Unloaded
| aSpeed: 334 | aAccel: 6 | aDecel: 20 | aMR: 5 | aSR: 4 | aDrag: 146.3 |
| Stall: 66 mph | Takeoff: 108 yards | Landing: 108 yards |
Design Notes
Frame is expensive medium for 165 cf body and 8.25 cf wheels, expensive
light for two 38 cf folding wings. Armor is cheap metal. The aircraft has
good streamlining.
Online Sources
http://www.aviation-history.com/grumman/f4f.html