F4F Wildcat in action Richard S. Dann Squadron/Signal Publications, 2004 ISBN 0-89747-469-4
Richard Dann's latest contribution to the history of Grumman aircraft takes the form of an "in action" on the F4F. Rich covered the Wildcat previously in a Walk-Around, but this new book is by no means a rehash of his older work.
The Wildcat's ancestry stems from the Grumman G-16/XF4F-1, a never-built biplane that was to have replaced the F3F carrier fighter. The introduction provides a photo of the FF-1 fighter, another of an F3F-3, and a side drawing of the G-16/XF4F-1.
In response to Brwester's F2A Buffalo, Grumman used the G-16 as the basis for a monoplane fighter, the G-18/XF4F-2. Rich provides us with three images of the prototype, two side views, and overhead drawings of the wings.
The XF4F-2 lost out to the Buffalo, but Grumman continued to refine the Wildcat, and produced the XF4F-3 from the remains of the crashed
-2 prototype. There are two images of this aircraft and three sideview drawings shaowing the aircraft's various onfigurations.
The F4F-3 was the first production Wildcat, and Rich includes a dozen
-3 images. There were some differences between the -3 subtypes, and these are illustrated by a series of drawings, helpfully labeled with the appropriate BuNos. There is also a large 3-view. Three of the photos are detail shots, showing the wheel bay, gun bay, and the Fairchild F-56 camera.
The XF4F-6 had single-stage supercharged engine, and this model is represented by a photo and frontal drawings showing the deletion of the intercoolers. The -6 led to the F4F-3A, three images of which are included. One of these is a detail shot showing the supercharger installation.
The first of the photo-recon Wildcats was the F4F-3P, and this is represented by one image. There are two photos of the later long-range F4F-7, as well as a side-view drawings and an overhead drawing of the wings.
An interesting subject for a kitbash would be the F4F-3S "Wildcatfish" floatplane fighter, a single prototype of which was built. There are three -3S photos, one showing the aircraft with the vertical fin under the rear fuselage, which was found to be necessary to maintain directional stability.
There is a single photo of the XF4F-5 prototype, and three side-view drawings.
The next major production version was the F4F-4, and there are 23 photos of this mark. Notable are four cockpit shots, an aircraft with duplex flaps, another making a JATO takeoff, a Wildcat with extended wingtips, and another with breakaway wingtips as on the F8F.
Wildcat production at Grumman was finished out by the XF4F-8 lightweight version - Rich includes two overall shots of this model, a closeup of the powerplant installation, and an overhead drawing of the wing.
Production of the Wildcat shifted to the Eastern Aircraft Division of GM, as Grumman prepared to embark on the F6F program. The FM-1 was the Eastern equivalent to the F4F-4 - there are five photos of this model and one drawing of the wing.
The most produced Wildcat was the FM-2, which stemmed from the XF4F-8. There are thirteen images, a side-view drawing, a large 3-view drawing, an overhead drawing of the wing, and a drawing of a 5" HVAR rocket.
There are two images of the first G-36A, an export version intended for France before that country fell to the Germans. There is a side-view drawing and a drawing of the wing as well. The Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm would be the major export user of the F4F, and there are five photos of the Martlet Mk. I, a side view drawing, and a wing drawing. The Martlet II is covered by two side drawings, a wing drawing, and five photos.
The history of the Martlet III variant is certainly convulted, and Rich notes that he may not be 100% right on all the particulars. This does not degrade from the coverage of this model, as there are five photos, a side drawing, and two drawings showing the different windshields seen on this model.
The Mk.V was an F4F-3B equivalent, and is represented by a side drawing and two photos. The Martlet/Wildcat V was an FM-1 for the FAA; there are two photographs, an overhead drawing of the wing, and a drawing of the 58-gallon drop tank.
And finally, the Wildcat Mk. VI was a UK version of the FM-2; there are two photos and a side-view drawing.
In the center of the book are ten color side views, including:
*BuNo 1844 1st production Wildcat, with cowl-mounted guns *F4F-3 VF-72 prewar colors *Martlet II No.805 squadron *F4F-4 of John Thach *Martlet Mk.V from HMS Searcher *F4F-3P of VMO-251 *Martlet Mk.IV from HMS Biter (Ju290 killer) *FM-2 from VC-36 *FM-2 from VC-79 *FM-2 in silver lacquer advanced training schemeRecommended. A very detailed rundown on all Wildcat subtypes, with some excellent detail references. Add in the coverage of the oddball models, and you've got a must-have.
Chris
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