Martlet Mk II AM997
During World War II, the British Royal Navy acquired and operated almost every type of American-built fighter, including the F4F Wildcat, F6F Hellcat, and F4U Corsair. Initially, most British carrier-based aircraft were adaptations of land-based designs, reflecting the political and military constraints of the time. However, as the war progressed, the British recognized the need for a dedicated small fighter capable of operating from the limited decks of escort carriers. Grumman’s G-36 design, which would become the F4F Wildcat, was seen as an ideal solution. Over the course of the war, the British obtained nearly 1,100 Wildcats, initially designated Martlets in Royal Navy service.
Martlet I and Early Service
The first Wildcats acquired by the British were actually part of a French order. Following France’s fall to Germany, the British took over this order. These Martlet I aircraft were armed with four .50 caliber machine guns mounted in the wings and powered by the Wright Cyclone GR-1820-G205A engine, as specified by the French. Unlike later Wildcats, these planes did not have folding wings, making them less suitable for carrier operations and therefore primarily operated from land bases. The first Martlet I was delivered to the British on July 27, 1940, and deliveries were completed by October 1940.
Notably, the Martlet I achieved the first aerial victory for the Wildcat series and the first by an American aircraft in British service. On Christmas Day, 1940, two Martlet I aircraft, piloted by Lt. L. L. N. Carver and Sub Lt. Parke, shot down a German Ju-88 bomber that was attacking British ships in Scapa Flow. This victory was significant not only for the Royal Navy but also as a morale boost for the Allied forces.
Martlet II and Further Developments
The Martlet II variant, designated G-36B, featured a S3C4-G engine similar to the Pratt & Whitney R-1830-90 used in the American F4F-3A. Unlike the Martlet I, most Martlet II aircraft had folding wings and were armed with six machine guns, marking an important evolution in their design. The first carrier-based squadron to operate Martlet IIs was No. 802 Squadron, which embarked on the HMS Audacity—the Royal Navy’s first escort carrier. These aircraft scored their first carrier-based kill on September 20, 1941, when they downed a FW-200C Condor.
The Martlet III variant was originally intended for Greece but was taken over by the British after Greece fell to Axis forces. These aircraft were similar to the American F4F-3A, lacking folding wings, and were used mainly from land bases in North Africa.
The Martlet IV was analogous to the F4F-4 but used the Wright R-1820-G205A-3 engine and featured a Hamilton Standard Hydromatic propeller. These aircraft were delivered in larger numbers and saw extensive use in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters.
Renaming and Later Service
In January 1944, the British standardized the name Wildcat for the entire series to align with American nomenclature. By this time, they had also received FM-1 and FM-2 Wildcats, which were designated as Martlet V and Martlet VI, respectively, before the renaming. The Wildcat V and VI continued to serve the Royal Navy, with the Wildcat VI scoring the Fleet Air Arm’s last aerial victories of the war in March 1945 over Norway.
Strategic Role
Despite their relatively few opportunities for aerial combat, the Wildcats (Martlets) played a crucial role in protecting convoys from U-boat attacks, especially in the Atlantic. They provided air cover that was vital in ensuring the safe passage of troops, supplies, and materials, contributing significantly to the Allied war effort. The Wildcats were also involved in various operations across different theaters, from the Arctic convoys to the North African landings.
Overall, the Wildcats were a critical asset to the British Fleet Air Arm throughout World War II, fulfilling a range of duties from escorting convoys to participating in offensive operations, and they remained in service until the end of the war.