FM-2's ...

[Chad Veich]

A fantastic post as usual Mark! I'd sure love to hear the story behind this one.

FM-2 of FASRON 7 on the ground c 1948

[Mark Allen M]

Thx much. Here's another shot of the same FM-2 .... all it's states: CDR R. L. Clark and LT Veter stand by an FM-2 of FASRON 7 on the ground. 10/22/1948

[jdvoss]

The USMC did operate the FM-1 Wildcat but I have never seen reference to their usage of the FM-2. Can anyone confirm ???

W.T. Larkins's book "USMC Aircraft 1914-1959" makes no reference to the FM-2.

[Warbird Kid]

That's a really interesting photograph. Maybe documentation of one of the first warbirds in 1948? Seeing as how it's an FM-2 repainted as an early F4F.

[Chad Veich]

Seeing as how it's an FM-2 repainted as an early F4F.

Not only that but it has the mid-war three color camo combined with pre-war roundels. A bit odd for sure.

[mike furline]

Seeing as how it's an FM-2 repainted as an early F4F.

Not only that but it has the mid-war three color camo combined with pre-war roundels. A bit odd for sure.

Can't anyone get the paint right.

Looks like there is something written on the upper cowling in the first pic. What's the BuNo?

[Mark Allen M]

BuNo. 25627 "Maytag Mike"

[51fixer]

Thx much. Here's another shot of the same FM-2 .... all it's states: CDR R. L. Clark and LT Veter stand by an FM-2 of FASRON 7 on the ground. 10/22/1948

I'd say it could be for either a gate guard or museum as the the early wartime markings don't mesh with the mid/late forties timeframe.
Maybe a VIP visit that they needed some eye candy for or for a ceremony or change of command.
Love the paint overspray on the tailwheel.

[mike furline]

BuNo. 25627 "Maytag Mike"

25627 comes up as a TBM-1C. http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/ ... ries3.html

Maybe 55627? http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f4fregis ... 55627.html

[Mark Allen M]

Something I didn't know until now. The XF4F-8 entered production as the FM-2

"The XF4F-8/FM-2 had a higher horsepower and slightly lighter construction which generally provided all 'round better performance. The marked visual difference is the much taller fin/rudder assembly. So much so, the aerodynamic counterbalance is nearly half the area of earlier versions"


One of two XF4F-8 Wildcats manufactured by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation pictured at the company plant at Bethpage, New York Nov 1942


One of two XF4F-8 Wildcats manufactured by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation pictured at the company plant at Bethpage, New York Nov 1942

[Rob W]

So what were some of the major differences between the General Motors (FM) Wildcats and the Grumman (F4) Wildcats?

I know the GM Wildcats had taller tails but that's about it...

Anyone else care to elaborate?

[Rob W]

...and, by the way, thanks for the excellent post Mark! Always appreciated!

[FAR148]

So what were some of the major differences between the General Motors (FM) Wildcats and the Grumman (F4) Wildcats?

I know the GM Wildcats had taller tails but that's about it...

Anyone else care to elaborate?

From Wikipedia ....

At first, GM produced the FM-1, identical to the F4F-4, but reduced the number of guns to four, and added wing racks for two 250 lb (110 kg) bombs or six rockets. Production later switched to the improved FM-2 (based on Grumman's XF4F-8 prototype) optimized for small-carrier operations, with a more powerful engine (the 1,350 hp (1,010 kW) Wright R-1820-56), and a taller tail to cope with the torque

[Rob W]

Thanks Steven!

I've heard rumors about the entire aircraft being lightening (simplified) which meant that the aircraft DID perform quite a bit better when coupled with a more powerful engine. Anyone have any insight on this?

Did they fix the cranking of the landing gear on the FMs? Or did that remain throughout all F4F/FM variants? I want to say that I recall someone telling me that the FMs had electric motors for the landing gear and the flaps. I could be completely wrong...

Can someone please set me straight...

[george]

Two questions I have about Wildcats:

1. Why didn't the later versions incorporate a retractable tail wheel? Was this the only American tail-dragger fighter in WWII with non-retractable tail wheel?

2. Why do some have prop spinners or domes? Does this relate to what engine variant was used, or a specific component of the powerplant?