Wildcat (Grumman F4F/General Motors FM-1) victories

[Buckeye30]

Hi Michael
the noted Naval Aviation author Barrett Tillman has arrived at these figures ( other sources can vary but I'd go with Barrett).
US Navy F4Fs.......520.5
US Marine F4Fs.....562.0
US Navy FMs........432.0 ( 422 by FM-2s).
This would suggest 10 by FM-1s; as these were operating in the Atlantic on CVEs they had few opportunities for claims. Many FM-2 victories were Kamikazes.
**Please note these are only victories by US Wildcats not including a few by Royal Navy Martlets / Wildcats ( Barrett says 67).
Regards
Nick

[PMoz99]

According to Squadron/Signal #191 on the F4F, 311 FM-1 were delivered to the FAA (as Martlet MkV), equipping 36 squadrons ....... no indication of kills, only that a He111 and Fw200 were shot down by 881Sq on 12/2/44. They saw action from Feb 1944 in attacking the Tirpitz, the invasion of southern France and the far East.
340 FM-2 were delivered to the FAA as Wildcat MkVI, from August 1944. Mention is made of 4 Bf109G claims on 26/3/45 off the Norwegian coast.
Cheers
Peter

[knusel]

Hello Nick & Peter,

very interesting. Barrett Tillman's F4F total of 1082,5 is slightly higher than the 1002 implied by Robert Allen's table.
The production figures given in the internet for the F4F, FM1 and FM2, respectively vary considerably. Can you tell me which source is the most valid ?

Michael