Has anybody here built an FM-2 Wildcat or Martlet or whatever name it went by, in any scale, especially 1/48 or even 1/32, but as I say, any scale? I’m curious to see one built up because I’d like to see any interesting markings, differences between FM-2 and F4F. Does anyone make a kit, or could I convert, say, the nice 1/48 Tamiya kit? Is this plane of those instances like the TBF/TBM, in which one was built by Grumman, and the other, using Grumman’s plans, by General Motors? I’m sure, however, that GM is not make the vast majority of the type as they did with the TBM, with with Grumman only making the first 1,000 planes or so and GM the remaining 7,000 (I’m guessing at the numbers here from a lousy memory.)
I believe the Martlet name was only used by British commonwealth forces. The U.S. versions were both know as Wildcats. As far as the difference between the FM-2 and F4F. I always thought they were basically the same aircraft. But the FM-2 was built by GM. Im sure someone else can shed some more light on the subject.
I did build a 1/48 Monogram Wildcat. But that was ages ago, and time has not been kind to it.
If I’m not mistaken (someone correct me if I’m wrong), the earlier models had 4 .50 calibur guns, while the later models had 6 .50 calibur machine guns. That’s the biggest difference that I know of.
There were physical differences between the F4F-4 & FM-2 Wildcats, mainly the rudder/fin area. You could convert the Tamiya 1/48 kit, or get the Sword 1/48 FM-2 [:)].
Airfix makes an FM-2 in 1/72. A very basic kit, no cockpit detail, or firewall. The main difference between the F4F and the FM2 was the height of the rudder, the FM2 being taller. The Airfix kit has markings in overall glossy sea blue for the Miami NAS fighter training squadron. It also has British markings. Both a/c were used in the Atlantic, for anti sub duties, so the grey/white scheme is also available.
Here’s my FM-2 built using the Tamiya kit and the KMC conversion set. Main differences are taller tail, different engine single row radial with different exhaust set up and only 2 guns per wing. Marking are for A/C off USS Gambier Bay.
One major difference (and it’s a big one) is that the FM-2 used a single row, 9 cylinder Wright R-1820-56 radial.
The F4-F Wildcat used a twin row, 14 cylinder Pratt and Whitney R-1830-86 ( or an R-1830-56).
The cowl was on the FM-2 was shorter as well.
The above posts have covered the physical differences very well: the FM-2 has a taller tail, single row radial, shorter cowl, and four guns.
The reasons why those modifications were made is interesting. The FM-2 was indeed made by General Motors (they first made a licenced copy of the Wildcat called the FM-1 that did not have the modifications later added to the FM-2).
The FM-2 had to taller tail to correct some directional stability problems with engine torque or prop wash. The single row radial Wright R-1820 engine had 1,350 hp and the FM-2 weighed about 350 pounds less than the F4F-4. I think the FM-2 also had water injection available for a little boost in engine power. The four guns were two fewer than the six on the F4F-4, but there was more ammunition per gun, giving pilots an overall longer time to fire before their ammo ran out.
All of this, and the smaller size of the FM-2 compared to Corsairs or Hellcats, made the plane ideally suited to operating from the smaller, “Jeep” escort carriers.
I’ve always figured the FM-2 was the ultimate realization of the Wildcat design. I plan on picking one up in 1/72 scale sometime in the future.
Well, everyone has covered most of the differenecs between the FM-2 and F4F. Subtle as they may be. Now the important part. Who makes an FM-2 kit.
I built Sword’s 1/48 FM-2 Wildcat kit and did her all up in the Grey and White Atlantic scheme using AM decals. “Black 4” FM-2 of VC-13, USS Tripoli to be exact. The fit was good, and the canopy was vacuform, but other than that the kit was what you make of it in the end.
I’ve never built one, but I did order the Sword FM-2 from Great Models for my carrier aircraft GB. I’m planning on using this link as a reference for this kit. I’m hoping my FM-2 well look half as good as Quagmyre’s.
LeeTree has hit on one of the biggest changes in the FM-2, the engine, which also caused the vertical stabilizor to be enlarged. There were a lot of differences between the export version of the Wildcat, some of which included, different size cowls, different cowl flap configurations etc. General Motors produced the FM-1 which was basicly the F4F-4 and the FM-2 was a copy of what was to be the F4F-5. Grumman built the first two prototypes but it was decided that because Grumman had a higher priority on production of the F6F, it would be manufactured by General Motors.
I would suggest if you are really interested, see if your LHS has or can get you a copy of Squadron’s F4F Wildcat in Action. Or order it directly from Squadron on line. It’ll give you all the information you are asking about and at a very reasonable price.
