World War Photos

F4F-3S Wildcatfish

The F4F-3S “Wildcatfish” was a unique variant of the Grumman F4F Wildcat, designed as a floatplane to counter the Japanese A6M2-N “Rufe,” a floatplane version of the Mitsubishi Zero. This one-of-a-kind aircraft was intended to operate from water, allowing the U.S. Navy to deploy fighter support to areas without established airfields, which were common in the early stages of the Pacific War.

Key Features and Specifications of the F4F-3S Wildcatfish:

1. Development and Purpose:

   • The idea for the F4F-3S was to provide the U.S. Navy with a floatplane fighter capable of taking off and landing on water, similar to the Japanese “Rufe.”
   • The Seabees’ rapid construction of airfields on captured islands in the Pacific rendered the floatplane concept unnecessary, leading to the cancellation of further production after the prototype was completed.

2. First Flight:

   • The F4F-3S made its first and only flight on February 28, 1943. Despite its success in testing, the changing needs of the war meant that the aircraft was not put into production.

3. Physical Characteristics:

   • Wingspan: 38 feet
   • Length: 39 feet 1 inch
   • Height: 18 feet 1¼ inches
   • Wing Area: 260 square feet

4. Powerplant and Propulsion:

   • The Wildcatfish was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830-76 Twin Wasp radial engine, a 14-cylinder, two-row, air-cooled engine.
   • It delivered 1,200 horsepower at takeoff and 1,000 horsepower at 19,000 feet.
   • The engine featured a two-stage/two-speed supercharger, improving performance at higher altitudes.
   • The aircraft was equipped with a Curtiss 3-blade constant speed propeller, with a diameter of 9 feet 9 inches.

5. Armament:

   • The Wildcatfish was armed with four .50 caliber machine guns, mounted in the wings, each with 800 rounds of ammunition.

6. Weight and Performance:

   • Empty Weight: 5,804 pounds
   • Gross Weight: 7,506 pounds
   • Maximum Speed: 266 miles per hour at 20,300 feet
   • Normal Range: 600 miles at 132 miles per hour
   • Initial Climb Rate: 2,460 feet per minute
   • Service Ceiling: 33,500 feet

7. Design Modifications:

   • The conversion to a floatplane was carried out by the Edo Corporation, which installed two Model 62-6560 floats. These floats were equipped with small fins on either end of the stabilizer to balance the aircraft’s hydrodynamics.
   • A ventral fin was later added beneath the aft fuselage to further improve stability.

8. Operational Outcome:

   • Although 100 units were initially ordered, the only F4F-3S Wildcatfish ever built remained a prototype. The swift creation of airfields in the Pacific by the Seabees eliminated the need for such floatplanes, leading to the cancellation of the order.
   • The designation F4F-3S and the nickname “Wildcatfish” were both unofficial, underscoring the aircraft’s status as a unique experimental model.