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Description
| Manufacturer: | Grumman |
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| Base model: | F4F | ||
| Designation: | F4F | ||
| Version: | -3A | ||
| Nickname: | Wildcat | ||
| Designation System: | U.S. Navy / Marines | ||
| Designation Period: | 1922-1962 | ||
| Basic role: | Fighter | ||
| Modified Mission: | Miscellaneous modifications | ||
| Crew: | Pilot | ||
Specifications
| Length: | 28' 9" | 8.7 m | |
| Height: | 9' 2" | 2.7 m | |
| Wingspan: | 38' | 11.5 m | |
| Wingarea: | 260.0 sq ft | 24.1 sq m | |
| Empty Weight: | 5,342 lb | 2,422 kg | |
| Gross Weight: | 7,002 lb | 3,175 kg | |
| Max Weight: | 8,152 lb | 3,697 kg | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 1 | ||
| Powerplant: | Pratt & Whitney R-1830-90 | ||
| Horsepower (each): | 1200 | ||
Performance
| Range: | 845 miles | 1,360 km | |
| Cruise Speed: | 147 mph | 236 km/h | 127 kt |
| Max Speed: | 328 mph | 528 km/h | 285 kt |
| Climb: | 2,265 ft/min | 690 m/min | |
| Ceiling: | 37,500 ft | 11,429 m | |
Known serial numbers
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| National Museum of Naval Aviation | NAS Pensacola | Florida |
| San Diego Aerospace Museum | San Diego | California |
F4F-3A on display
National Museum of Naval Aviation |
Recent comments by our visitors
| John Crow Lawrence, MA | My mom & dad worked at the Linden Plant. My dad was Jack Crow and my mom was Florence Mira. My dad had been a body man for Fisher at General Motors. They told me many great stories including the brave test pilots and the First Lady's visit. 06/11/2008 @ 08:22 [ref: 21376] |
| William F. Mahar palm beach gardens, FL | Dear Sir My father was project mgr for W.L. Blanchard Const Co. when GM. converted to Eastern Aircraft at the Linden plant. Blanchard did much of the demo and restoration work there. I beleive they employed up to 600 people of various trades during that period.I cant recall the date but during that period Eastern Aircraft had an open house during which time the Navy displayed what they called the "wilder wildcat"known as the Hellcat.I had the thrill as child to sit in that airplane at the plant. The Navy had various displays of which the public or maybe it was just for the people that were working on the project were invited to identify enemy aircraft games and other activities. I can also remember lots of chartreus colored rivets scattered on the floors.Can you send any more specific info on the conversion period? thanks Bill Mahar 06/06/2006 @ 09:57 [ref: 13465] |
| Richard R. Gideon Pittsburgh, PA | I own an original PILOT'S HANDBOOK FOR MODEL F4F-3A AIRPLANE, ENGINE R-1830-90. The entry on page 19, "Wing Flag Control," is interesting in that it describes the vacuum system that controlled the flaps. The description is carried over to page 20, and at the top of that page it states, "There is no danger in opening the flap operative valve at high speed. The flaps will not come down at speeds in excess of 130 knots." 08/26/2005 @ 17:58 [ref: 11098] |
| Bill Sheeley St. Pete Florida, FL | Eastern Aircraft Linden,N.J. produced over 3,600 Wildcats for the USN . There were several modifications and a change from the F4F series to the FM-1 with the P&W engine to the FM-2 that had the 9 cylinder Wright. I believe this was the first radial engine that weight was less than a pound per horsepower. General Motors was the mfg. I was a civilian Navy Inspector on the flightline. WFS 08/09/2001 @ 17:20 [ref: 2882] |
| richard Hansen Batavia, Ill, IL | I fly a F4F-3 which was brought up from Lake Michigan in 1991. It is a delight to fly except in a x-wind. Bu#12260 03/28/2000 @ 10:28 [ref: 17] |
Recent photos uploaded by our visitors
