Author Topic: Fm2 (Read 582 times)

Elyeh · « **on:** February 01, 2006, 04:22:58 PM »

Been flying an FM2 as of late and find its a very good dogfighter.

have been looking online about info on the FM2 and find that the F4F comes up a lot in the same articles. Both planes are called "Wildcat"

besides the extra guns on the F4f are they basiclly the same plane?

Thanks

Lusche · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2006, 04:28:04 PM »

Yes. Its basically the same aircraft, produced by General Motors from 1943 on, after Grumman stopped the production of F4F.
It was based on the F4F-8 prototype.
If i recall correctly, it was mostly used on escort carriers, which were not capable of operating the bigger Hellcats & corsairs.

Nilsen · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2006, 04:50:37 PM »

One of my favorite planes when i played!

That and the Jug. Two completly different planes but both are excellet at what they do

Widewing · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2006, 05:20:24 PM »

Earlier F4F-3 fighters did not have folding wings and were armed with four .50 cal MGs. Wing folding arrived with the F4F-4, along with six MGs and many complaints about the added weight and reduced duration of firing more than offsetting the increase in hitting power.

The FM-1 was an F4F-4 built by General Motors. Later, they introduced the FM-2. It was fitted with a 9 cylinder R-1820 engine (the F4F-3, F4F-4 and FM-1 were powered by a 14 cylinder R-1830 engine). Armament was reduced to four guns. Overall weight went down, and power was up. General handling and climb was similar to the F4F-3, but the wingfold remained. A taller rudder was added to enhance low speed handling.

My regards,

Widewing

Krusty · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2006, 02:17:33 PM »

The difference between FM2 and F4F-4 is that the FM2 has a much more powerful engine (and WEP). Okay not "MUCH MORE" but definitely "MORE" powerful engine.

It's a bit lighter. The taller tail fin was put on because the engine was stronger, and you use the fin to counter torque from the engine.

F4UDOA · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2006, 10:54:04 AM »

The FM-2 in Naval serice actually had the highest K/D of any American Fighter including the F6F.

An amazing 32 to 1 KD!! It should be perked!!

And no, I am not joking.

Debonair · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2006, 11:37:15 AM »

AFAIK, nothing beats the P-61 for K/D

Squire · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2006, 12:13:32 PM »

It served largely as an anti Kamikaze fighter, which explains its very good K/D ratio. Lots of targets and it was a usefull design for CAP work. The F8F Bearcat was to replace it in that role.

Task Force 38 FM-2s scored 432 kills, all in the Pacific.

As for the P-61, its K/D is not remarkable considering the very few victories it scored as a night fighter, some 123 kills ETO and PAC combined.

groundloop · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2006, 03:44:51 PM »

The new April issue of Flight Journal has a good article on FM-2's by Capt McGraw, USN, who flew one off of the CVE Gambier Bay at Leyte.

Debonair · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2006, 12:12:56 AM »

AFAIK, no combat losses for the P-61s

RTR · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2006, 11:12:11 AM »

FM2 "the wilder Wildcat".

we like it

RTR