Author Topic: F4F-4 (Read 857 times)

Widewing · « **on:** August 12, 2002, 12:25:35 PM »

I have been using the FM-2 as my main ride this tour, and am very satisfied with the result to date. Losses have been relatively low, despite problems with momentary lock-ups that have resulted in at least 5 augers ( these seem to occur only when engaging bombers at low level).

However, I have also taken a shine to the F4F-4. Yeah, it's slower than the FM-2, climbs poorly and doesn't turn as well, being heavier. Nonetheless, those two extra guns provided much needed punch.

Indeed, as a fleet defense fighter, the F4F-4 has proven itself to me. It excels at killing low flying bombers and torpedo bombers (Ju 88 and Ki-67). I've managed a decent amount of kills against fighters with it. Remarkably, I've not lost a single F4F-4, other than one to a lock-up induced auger.

Yet, I see that this fighter still has a sub-one to one K/D. I know the -4 Wildcat is a much better fighter than the numbers portray. So, what gives? I suspect that it's being misused. This old relic has no business tangling with P-51s and 190s at 20k. It certainly suffers at the hands of E fighters, and Ostwinds take a heavy toll.
Against certain fighters, it does extremely well. The P-38L and Spitfire Mk.V being two examples.

This is one of those types that has a niche role. Fleet defense appears to be that niche.

Has anyone else logged significant time in the F4F-4? Any comments on tactics, usage?

My regards,

Widewing

F4UDOA · « **Reply #1 on:** August 12, 2002, 12:37:20 PM »

Widewing,

The F4F and FM-2 is a much maligned A/C in the history of WW2. Or at least horribly underated.

Unknown by most WW2 fighter buffs is the fact that the FM-2 had the highest K/D of American fighter A/C not the F6F or P-51. The FM-2 had a K/D of 35 to 1. Quite a testament to the fiesty little bird.

Frankly I find it hard to fly in AH because I do not have the patience to be slow and constantly in pursuit of faster A/C.

But it's outstanding performance in AH does not surprise me.

Puke · « **Reply #2 on:** August 12, 2002, 01:48:09 PM »

I flew the F4F-4 for about two weeks starting from the day it came out last tour. I think I had a pretty respectible K/D in her too. However, I think I did well because she was new and everyone thought I'd be an easy lunch and once they slowed down, six .50s taught them a quick lesson. I have yet to step foot in the FM-2 yet, but everyone says that's a really fun fighter. The trouble is, it takes a bit longer to get to the fight in these slow fighters and generally means you can't always escape home unmolested. That's why I started back with my F4U-1, I can actually leave a fight and not be forced into new ones.

Widewing · « **Reply #3 on:** August 12, 2002, 03:17:27 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by F4UDOA
Widewing,

The F4F and FM-2 is a much maligned A/C in the history of WW2. Or at least horribly underated.

Unknown by most WW2 fighter buffs is the fact that the FM-2 had the highest K/D of American fighter A/C not the F6F or P-51. The FM-2 had a K/D of 35 to 1. Quite a testament to the fiesty little bird.

Frankly I find it hard to fly in AH because I do not have the patience to be slow and constantly in pursuit of faster A/C.

But it's outstanding performance in AH does not surprise me.

As of yesterday the FM-2 had a K/D of 1.23 for the current tour. That's among the best of the non-perk birds.

Being among the slowest fighters in the planeset, chasing enemy fighters is not in the cards. So, as soon as they open the range to 1.0k, I execute a flip reverse and show them my tail. More often than not, they do a hard reverse and come boring in. I guess they don't realize that this is a mistake. Their reverse just killed most of their E. Going against a Wildcat at anything near Co-E is, well, high risk at best. I watched a group of Bish FM-2s take on a horde of Rook Spits, Nikis and La-7s Friday night. It was a slaughter, dweeb machines falling like confetti (I'm a Rook). Usually, the Spit drivers cannot resist turning with a Wildcat, only to discover that the pudgy old fighter is one hell of a dogfighter. Where the Wildcat comes up short is in 1v1 situations against an E-fighter with a patient pilot. In this situation, the pilot of the fast fighter simply BnZs until he gets a telling hit in. The defense is to head for the deck and force the attacker to deal with the fact that the ground is unyielding. Over uneven ground, the Wildcat pilot can actually reverse his fortunes if he can sucker the fast bird into blowing his E. When defending a CV group, one can always retreat into the ack umbrella if things get dodgy when faced with a large number of attacking enemy. I like to orbit the CV at 8-10k. When the suicide dweebs arrive, I simply meet them halfway down. Even if I don't get a killing shot in, I'll get an assist or even a proximity kill now and then. Naturally, the Wildcat is a terror fighting in the canyons of the Pizza map.

It won't be long before we hear the term "Wildcat Dweeb".

My regards,

Widewing

Shane · « **Reply #4 on:** August 12, 2002, 04:05:33 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Widewing
Where the Wildcat comes up short is in 1v1 situations against an E-fighter with a patient pilot. In this situation, the pilot of the fast fighter simply BnZs until he gets a telling hit in. The defense is to head for the deck and force the attacker to deal with the fact that the ground is unyielding. Over uneven ground, the Wildcat pilot can actually reverse his fortunes if he can sucker the fast bird into blowing his E.

heh.

i like the fm-2, it's a nice little ride.

Karnak · « **Reply #5 on:** August 12, 2002, 06:03:10 PM »

I was flying a Mossie the first time I saw an enemy F4F-4 in AH.

I killed it.

lord dolf vader · « **Reply #6 on:** August 12, 2002, 07:03:55 PM »

i.e. he didnt see you

Karnak · « **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2002, 07:05:40 PM »

Oh, he very much saw me. Tried to get me, then tried frantically to avoid being killed, just didn't do him any good.

Dead Man Flying · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2002, 08:12:40 PM »

F4Fs and FM-2s are good eatins!

-- Todd/Leviathn

thrila · « **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2002, 09:45:11 PM »

i poop on f4f's and fm2's.

Viper17 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2002, 11:29:50 PM »

I find em a very cute bird. Like a beer keg with wings and a tail unit bolted on:D

Widewing · « **Reply #11 on:** August 13, 2002, 01:23:19 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dead Man Flying
F4Fs and FM-2s are good eatins!

-- Todd/Leviathn

Hmm... I find Spitfires a bit chewy, but I eat them if no Mossies are on the table..

My regards,

Widewing

whgates3 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 13, 2002, 02:49:46 AM »

FM-2 & F4F are good birds; tough, good turn, good divers (FM-2 is a great camera too) and they performed very well when flown correctly, but the FM-2 may not have the WWII K/D record for US fighters. I still have not read of a combat loss of a P-61. I have read that none were lost in the ETO to any sort of axis action (against well over 300 kills by P-61s)...

brady · « **Reply #13 on:** August 13, 2002, 02:55:02 AM »

I first appricated the Wildcat during the Kuriels set up in the CT, I engaged a George, who I turn fought to death:) Then I did it 5 more times:)

I even fought 2 at one and managed one before the other got me, I noticed the Georges were using flaps( so was I). Great fun.

I would not use it the MA though, not because I do not like it I just prefer my Zero, for off the CV stuff, unless I nead a Heavy Jabo then I pay for a C hog.

Dnil · « **Reply #14 on:** August 13, 2002, 09:16:47 AM »

300 kills for the 61? where is that data coming from? just interested in knowing. I thought she didn't see much action. Also are those a2a kills or ground kills mixed in?

very interesting.