CLASS: Fighter
NICKNAME: "Wildcat"
YEAR OF DESIGN: 1937
LENGTH: 28 feet 9 inches
WINGSPAN: 38 feet
MAX AIRSPEED: 312 MPH / 331 MPH
CEILING: 39,500 feet
TYPICAL ARMAMENT
[Guns are equipped with 450 rounds].
.
2 x 100-pound bombs
(An alternative to the bombload of most Wildcats was the addition of two 50 gallon wing-mounted fuel tanks, able to be dropped manually during flight.)
.
At the time of Pearl
Harbor and extending through the Battle of Midway in June 1942, the top
speed of most Wildcats was only 312 MPH. This was due, in large part, to
the shortage of the Pratt and Whitney "supercharged" engines which used
compressed air to provide better fuel performance. In comparison to
its main adversary, the Japanese Navy's A6M "Zeke"
Fighter Plane's 331 MPH top speed, the Wildcat was sluggish.
.
Due to the difference in speed, Wildcats stayed away from one-on-one dogfights. However, the reinforced armor gave it a decisive edge against the much faster A6M "Zero" na dusing "Wingman tactics", the F4F enjoyed great success within six months of the beggining of American's entry into the War.
.
.
Due to the difference in speed, Wildcats stayed away from one-on-one dogfights. However, the reinforced armor gave it a decisive edge against the much faster A6M "Zero" na dusing "Wingman tactics", the F4F enjoyed great success within six months of the beggining of American's entry into the War.
.
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