WILDCAT VI
This aircraft was built by Gregory SARGE Pierson using version 2.82.104 of the AvHistory 1% Assembly Line process. It is based on the outstanding FM-2 WILDCAT visual created by Anthony GRAMPS Sullenger and his original readme included in this download package has additional information.
Dan Swart painted this aircraft to represent a Wildcat VI flown by 881 squadron RNAS code U*G, tail number JV-715 from the HMS Puncher in February of 1945. This particular aircraft was involved in escorting RNAS TBM Avengers in minelaying Skatesstrammen, 12 February 1945
In November 1943 the squadron joined the 7th Naval Fighter Wing having re-equipped with 12 Wildcat VI's, and embarked on HMS Pursuer for Gibraltar convoys from November 1943 till February 1944, when it shot down 2 enemy aircraft and damaged another aircraft.
While still operating from HMS Pursuer, on 3 April 1944, the squadron provided fighter cover for Operation Tungsten attack against the German Battleship Tirpitz in Kaa Fjord, northern Norway, and returned to Burscough in early May. Further brief operations were underataken from HMS Furious in the second half of the month.
Subsequent operations to Norway were carried out by squadron detachments from HMS Pursuer, HMS Puncher, HMS Trumpeter and HMS Premier till February 1945.
In March 1945 the squadron embarked on HMS Pursuer for Capetown, where it was re-equipped with 30 Hellcat IIs at Wingfield.
In 1942, Eastern Aircraft was made a second production source for the F4F with a contract for 1,800 examples of the F4F-4 designated FM-I, leaving Grumman free to concentrate upon the F6F Hellcat. Eastern delivered 840 in the first 12 months, and 300 to Britain as Martlet Vs in 1942-3.
The advent of the escort carrier led to development of the final Wildcat version, the FM-2. This combined the more powerful Wright R-1820-56 Cyclone engine with a lighter airframe to obtain improved take-off performance from the shorter carrier decks. Eventually, Eastern built 4,127 FM-2s for the USN and 340 for Britain as Wildcat VI (the original British name of Martlet was dropped in favour of Wildcat in March 1944). The FM-2s became standard equipment on the majority of the 114 escort carriers put into service by the end of the war. By the end of the war 7,815 Wildcat had been built.
This aircraft was built by Gregory SARGE Pierson using version 2.82.104 of the AvHistory 1% Assembly Line process. It is based on the outstanding FM-2 WILDCAT visual created by Anthony GRAMPS Sullenger and his original readme included in this download package has additional information.
Dan Swart painted this aircraft to represent a Wildcat VI flown by 881 squadron RNAS code U*G, tail number JV-715 from the HMS Puncher in February of 1945. This particular aircraft was involved in escorting RNAS TBM Avengers in minelaying Skatesstrammen, 12 February 1945
In November 1943 the squadron joined the 7th Naval Fighter Wing having re-equipped with 12 Wildcat VI's, and embarked on HMS Pursuer for Gibraltar convoys from November 1943 till February 1944, when it shot down 2 enemy aircraft and damaged another aircraft.
While still operating from HMS Pursuer, on 3 April 1944, the squadron provided fighter cover for Operation Tungsten attack against the German Battleship Tirpitz in Kaa Fjord, northern Norway, and returned to Burscough in early May. Further brief operations were underataken from HMS Furious in the second half of the month.
Subsequent operations to Norway were carried out by squadron detachments from HMS Pursuer, HMS Puncher, HMS Trumpeter and HMS Premier till February 1945.
In March 1945 the squadron embarked on HMS Pursuer for Capetown, where it was re-equipped with 30 Hellcat IIs at Wingfield.
In 1942, Eastern Aircraft was made a second production source for the F4F with a contract for 1,800 examples of the F4F-4 designated FM-I, leaving Grumman free to concentrate upon the F6F Hellcat. Eastern delivered 840 in the first 12 months, and 300 to Britain as Martlet Vs in 1942-3.
The advent of the escort carrier led to development of the final Wildcat version, the FM-2. This combined the more powerful Wright R-1820-56 Cyclone engine with a lighter airframe to obtain improved take-off performance from the shorter carrier decks. Eventually, Eastern built 4,127 FM-2s for the USN and 340 for Britain as Wildcat VI (the original British name of Martlet was dropped in favour of Wildcat in March 1944). The FM-2s became standard equipment on the majority of the 114 escort carriers put into service by the end of the war. By the end of the war 7,815 Wildcat had been built.
