British F4F Martlet Mk IV FN142
The Grumman Martlet Mk. IV (Model G-36) was a significant variant of the Wildcat series used by the British Royal Navy during World War II. These aircraft were among the last Wildcats built by Grumman for British use before production shifted to General Motors.
Key Specifications and Features:
- First Flight: 1942
- Number Built: 220 aircraft
- Royal Navy Serial Numbers: FN100 through FN319
Dimensions:
- Wingspan: 38 feet
- Wing Area: 260 square feet
- Length: 28 feet 5 inches
- Height: 11 feet 9 inches
Powerplant:
- Engine: Wright R-1820-40B Cyclone, a 9-cylinder, single-row radial air-cooled engine producing 1,200 horsepower at takeoff. It was equipped with a single-stage/two-speed supercharger.
- Propeller: Hamilton Standard 3-blade constant-speed propeller.
Armament:
- Guns: Six British M-53A Browning .50 caliber machine guns mounted in the wings.
Performance:
- Empty Weight: 5,773 pounds
- Gross Weight: 7,904 pounds
- Maximum Speed: 298 miles per hour at 14,000 feet
- Service Ceiling: 30,100 feet
Additional Information:
- These aircraft were also designated as F4F-4B but were not assigned U.S. Navy serial numbers, as they were exclusively produced for British use.
- The Martlet Mk. IV was the final Wildcat variant produced by Grumman for the Royal Navy before the manufacturing responsibilities were transferred to General Motors, where the aircraft continued to be produced as the FM-1 Wildcat.
- Like other variants, the Martlet Mk. IV was eventually renamed Wildcat IV by the British, aligning the naming convention with the American designation system.