Grumman F4F Wildcat

 was one of the most important US fighters of the early World War II.

Background
The Grumman Aircraft Engineering F4F Wildcat was a small, stocky fighter designed with carrier use in mind, in competition with the Brewster Aeronautical Corporation. Vying for the lucrative Navy contracts, the final F4F was the result of a complete overhaul of the fighter after losing out to the Brewster Buffalo. The rebuilt F4F received new wings, tail, and a supercharged Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radial engine, and replaced the Buffalo after it turned out to be less than advertised in practice.

The Martlet, as it was initially designated, became one of the most important fighters of the early World War II, scoring its first victories against the Luftwaffe in the North Atlantic and pioneering escort carrier combat doctrines in December 1940, and continued to serve until the end of the war. It contributed heavily to the U.S. defense in the Pacific in 1941 and 1942; although outperformed by the Mitsubishi A6M2, the famed Zero, the Wildcat's ruggedness and heavy armor allowed it to take damage and keep flying, destroying its unarmored rivals through attrition and tenacity.

By the time it was retired in 1945, 7 885 planes were manufactured. It was mostly succeeded in 1943 by the Grumman F6F Hellcat.

Models

 * Wildcat V Light Bomber