This is a repaint of the FDGv2 Donationware F4F-3 Wildcat
F4F-3 BuNo 3976/white F-1, flown by Lt John Smith ('Jimmy') Thach, Officer Commanding VF-3, USS Lexington, 10 April 1942 On the outbreak of war, VF-3 had only ten F4F-3s (plus one borrowed from NAS San Diego) of an intended establishment of 18, having converted from the Brewster F2A-2 during August 1941. A 1927 graduate of the Naval Academy, Jimmy Thach had joined VF-3 as gunnery officer in June 1939, leading the successful team which won the Fleet gunnery trophy for VF-3, before becoming XO and finally squadron commander in December 1940. This aircraft was flown by Thach on 20 February 1942 when he and his wingman shot down a Kawanishi flying boat shadowing the carrier task force, and by Lt Noel A M Gayler when he shot down a G4M later the same day. Thach shot down a G4M himself while flying F-13 and damaged another on 20 February. This air?craft was decorated with three Japanese flags and the distinctive 'Felix the Cat' insignia of VF-3. It also has the high camouflage demarcation com?mon on early non-specular blue grey/light grey aircraft, and the code number repeated on each side of the cowling, as per standard US Navy regulations. This combat veteran was finally lost while serving with VF-2 during the Battle of Coral Sea. Thanks to the crew at FDGv2 for providing us this great plane!! Please take the time to read the original read me, that I have included.
By RobH
F4F-3 BuNo 3976/white F-1, flown by Lt John Smith ('Jimmy') Thach, Officer Commanding VF-3, USS Lexington, 10 April 1942 On the outbreak of war, VF-3 had only ten F4F-3s (plus one borrowed from NAS San Diego) of an intended establishment of 18, having converted from the Brewster F2A-2 during August 1941. A 1927 graduate of the Naval Academy, Jimmy Thach had joined VF-3 as gunnery officer in June 1939, leading the successful team which won the Fleet gunnery trophy for VF-3, before becoming XO and finally squadron commander in December 1940. This aircraft was flown by Thach on 20 February 1942 when he and his wingman shot down a Kawanishi flying boat shadowing the carrier task force, and by Lt Noel A M Gayler when he shot down a G4M later the same day. Thach shot down a G4M himself while flying F-13 and damaged another on 20 February. This air?craft was decorated with three Japanese flags and the distinctive 'Felix the Cat' insignia of VF-3. It also has the high camouflage demarcation com?mon on early non-specular blue grey/light grey aircraft, and the code number repeated on each side of the cowling, as per standard US Navy regulations. This combat veteran was finally lost while serving with VF-2 during the Battle of Coral Sea. Thanks to the crew at FDGv2 for providing us this great plane!! Please take the time to read the original read me, that I have included.
By RobH
