The Grumman F4F Wildcat is an iconic American carrier-based fighter aircraft that played a crucial role for the US Navy and Marine Corps in the early stages of World War II in the Pacific Theater. It was also used extensively by the British Royal Navy, which named it the Martlet.
Overview
Although the Wildcat was generally inferior in speed and maneuverability compared to the Japanese fighter, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, it proved to be a tough opponent due to its rugged construction, relatively heavy armor, and self-sealing fuel tanks, which allowed it to withstand more battle damage. Allied pilots adapted tactics to maximize the aircraft's strengths, such as the "Thach Weave" maneuver developed by Commander John "Jimmy" Thach, resulting in a claimed kill-to-loss ratio of 6.9:1 during the war.
Key Features and Variants
Folding Wing Design ("Sto-Wing"): The F4F-4 variant introduced Grumman's patented folding wing mechanism, which significantly increased the number of aircraft that could be stored on crowded aircraft carriers.
Armament: Early variants (F4F-3, FM-1) were armed with four .50 caliber Browning AN/M2 machine guns, while the F4F-4 had six .50 caliber guns.
Production: Initial production was by Grumman, but in 1942, General Motors (Eastern Aircraft Division) took over most of the production to free up Grumman's production lines for the newer, more advanced F6F Hellcat fighter. The GM-built models were known as the FM-1 and FM-2.
Usage on Escort Carriers: After more advanced aircraft like the F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair became available for the larger fleet carriers, the Wildcat continued to serve on smaller escort carriers due to its lower landing speed and more compact size.
Specifications (F4F-3 Wildcat)
Crew: 1 pilot
Engine: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-76 radial engine (14-cylinder, air-cooled), 1,200 hp
Maximum Speed: 331 mph (533 km/h) at 19,000 ft altitude
Range: 845 miles (1,360 km)
Armament: 4 × .50 in (12.7 mm) AN/M2 Browning machine guns in the wings
Dimensions: Wingspan 38 ft (11.58 m), Length 28 ft 9 in (8.76 m)
Overall, the F4F Wildcat is remembered as a tough and reliable aircraft that successfully held the line against Japanese assaults in the critical early days of the war, and it laid the foundation for subsequent US naval air dominance.

The instruction is listed in the "Craft Instruction"