FM2

[Muzzy]

Some photos I took of an FM2 at a recent fly-in. This particular bird is owned by Greg Shelton of Collinsville, OK, and has been re-engined with a Pratt and Whitney engine, or rather, it's an FM-2 with an F4F engine.

[Saxman]

He better take a closer look at that skin before submitting it. Looks like VF-3 markings, but that shouldn't be on a tricolor Wildcat.

[caldera]

Some photos I took of an FM2 at a recent fly-in. This particular bird is owned by Greg Shelton of Collinsville, OK, and has been re-engined with a Pratt and Whitney engine, or rather, it's an FM-2 with an F4F engine.


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Nice. 

Some from WWII Weekend a few years back:

[Brooke]

The Wildcat sure is a nifty little bird.

[Muzzy]

He better take a closer look at that skin before submitting it. Looks like VF-3 markings, but that shouldn't be on a tricolor Wildcat.

Plus it shouldn't be on an FM2 anyways, even if the FM2 has a F4F engine.

[Saxman]

Plus it shouldn't be on an FM2 anyways, even if the FM2 has a F4F engine.

As for that second one, double-check those markings. The red surround on the national insignia was only used for a brief period in mid/late-1943, while the overall gloss sea blue camo scheme wasn't introduced until late-1944/early-1945. Replace it with the insignia blue surround and it should be good, though.

[bozon]

The main landing gear contraption is pretty funny. Also looks rather flimsy (thickness of the bars) for something that has to withstand a controlled crash on the flight deck.

Was it built this way so one hydraulic system could lift both together?

[SIK1]

The main landing gear contraption is pretty funny. Also looks rather flimsy (thickness of the bars) for something that has to withstand a controlled crash on the flight deck.

Was it built this way so one hydraulic system could lift both together?

The F4F gear were hand cranked up and down, iirc it was a chain drive.

[Muzzy]

The F4F gear were hand cranked up and down, iirc it was a chain drive.

If I recall correctly, the later model F4F's and FM2's had hydraulic landing gear. In "The Big E", a book about the Enterprise, the author remarks that the deck crew no longer had to watch the fighter pilots' heads bob up and down as they cranked up the gear.

[SIK1]

If I recall correctly, the later model F4F's and FM2's had hydraulic landing gear. In "The Big E", a book about the Enterprise, the author remarks that the deck crew no longer had to watch the fighter pilots' heads bob up and down as they cranked up the gear.

I have been unable to find any evidence that the F4F/FM2's ever used hydraulics to actuate the landing gear. I did find mention that some privately owned F4F/FM2's had been converted to an electric motor to actuate the landing gear. I've even found pictures online of FM2 cockpits that clearly show the landing gear cranks.

Could it be that you are thinking of the transition from the F4F's to the F6F's?

[J.A.W.]

Nice pix of well preserved planes..

But - surely - it is apt to add a couple of quotes from Dr Ray Stantz..

"He's an ugly little spud, isn't he?"

& even [ if its not going too far] - "A disgusting blob".

I can see one reason why it was the USN's 2nd choice - even to the B.Buffalo..

& some old CV skipper with aesthetic sensibilities likely said something like,

"You can't park that thing here."

[Hap]

 

[DaveBB]

Why does that FM2 have a small door/hatch with a window near the tail? Was it capable of carrying a passenger?

[SIK1]

Why does that FM2 have a small door/hatch with a window near the tail? Was it capable of carrying a passenger?

I believe the one pictured was modified with a passenger compartment.

[Scca]

If you've never seen this it's an absolutely amazing story:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_32ZspW80v4

Ho t@rd