F4F-3 Wildcat code F-22
The Grumman F4F-3 was the first production version of the Wildcat fighter aircraft, designated as G-36 by Grumman. A total of 185 F4F-3 Wildcats were delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) between August 1940 and late 1941. The initial two aircraft, BuNos 1844 and 1845, were used for service testing. These early models still had cowl-mounted guns like the XF4F-3 prototype and briefly retained spinners due to ongoing engine overheating issues. Aircraft 1844 was utilized for armament testing, which led to the decision to remove the cowl guns in favor of four wing-mounted .50 caliber machine guns, improving the aircraft’s firepower. Aircraft 1845 was used for bomb drop tests and carrier landing trials, revealing the need for stronger landing gear. The tail wheel was subsequently reinforced and slightly enlarged, increasing the height of the vertical tail to an even eight feet.
The subsequent two aircraft, BuNos 1846 and 1847, were delivered as XF4F-5s with different Wright R-1820 engines. These engines were a single-row, nine-cylinder design with 1200 horsepower. Aircraft 1846 was later fitted with a turbo-supercharged R-1820-54 engine, while 1847 received an R-1820-48 engine with a two-stage supercharger. The first approximately 100 production F4F-3 Wildcats were powered by the Pratt & Whitney R-1830-76 engine, with the remainder fitted with the improved R-1830-86 engine, which was distinguishable by two magnetos near the top of the engine nose case. Initially, the F4F-3 had two large cowl flaps, but this was later replaced by an eight-flap configuration that became standard on the F4F-4 model. The combustion air scoop on the top of the cowl ring was another variant seen on early models with the -76 engine, as well as on the F4F-3A version powered by the R-1830-90 engine.
One important feature of the F4F-3 was its rigid, non-folding wings. While the last F4F-3 from the first production batch was tested with a folding wing, the rest of the F4F-3s and F4F-3As were built without this feature. This distinction is crucial for accuracy, especially in historical depictions and model building, as many sources have incorrectly shown the F4F-3 with folding wings, which only became standard on later models like the F4F-4.
The first F4F-3s were delivered to VF-4 aboard the USS Ranger and VF-7 on the USS Wasp. These units were later redesignated as VF-41 and VF-71, respectively. The U.S. Marine Corps squadrons, including VMF-222, VMF-223, and VMF-214, were among the first to receive the F4F-3, followed by VMF-221, VMF-211, and VMF-121. By September 1941, the last units, VF-3 and VF-5, had received their F4F-3s. The last 100 F4F-3s were delivered during the first five months of 1943 and were used solely for training purposes.
A small number of F4F-3 Wildcats, including BuNos 2512, 2517, 2526, 2530, 2537, 3985, and 3997, were converted into F4F-3P photo-reconnaissance variants, equipped with cameras. Due to the potential for delays with the two-stage, two-speed supercharger of the R-1830-76 and -86 engines, the Navy ordered a single Wildcat, BuNo 7031, fitted with the simpler R-1830-90 engine. This engine had a single-stage, two-speed supercharger, which was less complex but also provided less power at high altitudes, reducing the aircraft’s service ceiling by about 3,000 feet. This aircraft was designated as the XF4F-6 and served as the prototype for the F4F-3A and the British Martlet II and III.
The F4F-3A, nearly identical to the F4F-3 except for the engine, had a top speed of 312 mph at 16,000 feet, compared to the F4F-3’s 331 mph at 21,300 feet. The first 30 F4F-3As were initially intended for Greece but were instead delivered to the British as Martlet IIIs. The following 65 were built for the U.S. Navy and Marines between March 18 and May 28, 1941. The first F4F-3A was delivered to VMF-111 on April 10, 1941, with VMF-212 being the only other Marine squadron to operate this version. Navy squadrons VF-6, VF-5, VF-2, and VF-3 also received the F4F-3A Wildcat.