Taking A Grumman Wildcat To The Skies
Kermie Weeks Takes You To The Skies With His Wildcat
The Grumman F4F Wildcat was single-seat fighter aircraft in the service of the US Navy and the Royal Navy during World War 2. A presence in both the European and the Pacific conflict, the Wildcat, a fighter designed to take off from carriers, came in to replace the Brewster Buffalo in the early 1940’s.
- From 1940 to 1945, the Wildcat took part in fierce battles, most often against the Japanese Mitsubishi Zero in the Pacific, a superior aircraft in regards to speed, maneuverability and rate of climb.
- While the Zero’s superiority was undeniable, the Wildcat managed to surprise the opposition with the skill of its pilots, but also with its sturdy frame, which allowed it to remain in the air for longer and continue firing at the lightly armored Zero.
Although retired from service after 1945 to make room for Grumman’s newer projects, the Grumman F4F Wildcat can still be admired in many locations around the United States and the UK.
