F4F-3 Wildcat variant

[caldera]

Better climb and maneuverability than the F4F-4, due to less weight from a 4 gun (450 rpg) setup and lack of folding wings.  Served in squadron strength in the Battle of Coral Sea but was later phased out for the -4, despite Wildcat pilot preference for the earlier model.



F4F-3 empty/loaded weight: 4,907/7,423 lbs
F4F-4 empty/loaded weight: 5,895/7,975 lbs


AH F4F-4  6 guns loaded weight: 7,975 lbs
              4 guns loaded weight: 7,932 lbs



The F4F-3 would be 509 lbs lighter, which would make a measurable difference in climb and turn performance.


A super easy addition as a separate model and even easier still: give the current Wildcat 4 gun option 450 rpg and the actual 7,423 lb weight of the F4F-3. 

F4F-3 just sounds cooler though, because certain numbers and letters are cooler than others.  I'm weird like that. 

[Slade]

+1 

[caldera]

Was reading Hamilton McWhorter's book, The First Hellcat Ace and he claimed the -4 was 900 lbs. heavier than the -3.  If true, that would be really significant.

[mikeWe9a]

Haven't read the book, but according to your earlier figures, the empty weight of the -4 is more than 900 pounds heavier than the -3  Indeed, it is nearly 1,000 pounds heavier in that case.

Mike

[caldera]

Also strange that when going from empty to loaded weight, the -3 added 436 lbs. more than the -4.   

[pangea]

+1  should be an easy addition

[Greebo]

Also strange that when going from empty to loaded weight, the -3 added 436 lbs. more than the -4.   

I'd imagine that is at least in part due to the 1,800 rounds of ammo the F4F-3 carried compared to the 1,440 rounds the F4F-4 carried.

[Vraciu]

Was reading Hamilton McWhorter's book, The First Hellcat Ace and he claimed the -4 was 900 lbs. heavier than the -3.  If true, that would be really significant.

Folding wings, extra guns, more armor, etc. adds up. 

[Vraciu]

I'd imagine that is at least in part due to the 1,800 rounds of ammo the F4F-3 carried compared to the 1,440 rounds the F4F-4 carried.

Probably a difference in fuel capacity also factors in here...   I do not know this for certain though.

Edit in: Or perhaps not. 

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/f4f/f4f.html

[Mister Fork]

...or maybe, maybe just fly with 50% fuel?

[Vraciu]

...or maybe, maybe just fly with 50% fuel?

That was the directive sent out in real life.  And leave the extra guns empty.