Some issues for FM-2......

[jhenhao]

FM-2 "Wildcat" characteristics:

1.Dimensions: Wing Span, 38 feet; Length, 28 feet 11 inches; Wing Area, 260 square feet.
2.Weights: Empty, 5448 pounds; Gross, 8271 pounds
3.Powerplant: One 1,350 horsepower Wright R-1820-56 "Cyclone" single-row radial engine.
5.Armament: four .50 caliber Browning machine guns; Two 250-pound   bombs or six 5-inch rockets.
6.Performance: Maximum Speed, 332 m.p.h. (@ 28,800 feet)


May we ask FM-2 carries 250lb bomb instead of 100lb and the performace of Engine for high atittude should be better than now ...Wright R-1820-56 "Cyclone" has modified superchager for high atittude working...^^

[joeblogs]

This is an engine with a two speed, single stage supercharger. Why would you expect great performance at high altitudes?

The point of replacing the P&W Twin Wasp with the Cyclone was to improve the initial climb rate and avoid the complications of the 2 stage supercharger that had teething troubles in the Pacific.

This model was optimized for low & medium altitude work, and it was used primarily off escort carriers doing convoy duty in the Atlantic.

-Blogs

Originally posted by jhenhao
FM-2 "Wildcat" characteristics:

... the performace of Engine for high atittude should be better than now ...Wright R-1820-56 "Cyclone" has modified superchager for high atittude working...^^