General Motors (Eastern Aircraft Division) FM-2 Wildcat
|
Manufacturer: General Motors Corp., Eastern Aircraft Division Model: FM-2 Wildcat Span: 11.5824m / 38ft Year: 1943 Length: 8.81482m / 29ft Height: 3.02362m / 10ft Wing Area: 24.154m² / 260ft² Short Title: General Motors FM-2 Wildcat Empty Weight: 2471.21kg / 5,448lbs Gross Weight: 3751.73kg / 8,271lbs Maximum Speed: 534.188km/h Cruise Speed: 263.876km/h / 164mph Power Plant: Wright Cyclone R-1820 engine Range: 1448.1km / 900miles Serial Number: 4512 On Loan From: John C. Dimmer, Museum of Flight Trustee |
General Motors (Eastern Aircraft Division) FM-2 Wildcat Designed in 1939, the Grumman Wildcat was America's most capable naval fighter in the battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, and Guadalcanal. By exploiting its advantages of firepower and armor, and using advanced tactics, the Wildcat competed successfully against the faster and more agile Japanese Zero. The Grumman Aircraft Company suspended Wildcat production in May of 1943 to concentrate on producing the new F6F Hellcat. The Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors also built Wildcats as the FM-1 and FM-2. This aircraft is an FM-2 with the more powerful Wright Cyclone R-1820 engine. The Museum's aircraft is currently undergoing restoration at our Restoration Center in Everett, Washington. The FM-2 on display is on loan from John C. Dimmer, a Museum of Flight Trustee. Purchased as surplus in 1956, this aircraft changed owners seven times before finally being purchased by Mr. Dimmer. This FM-2 was briefly used as a crop sprayer in the 1960s and was in the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola, Florida, for many years. Prior to this loan, Mr. Dimmer displayed this Wildcat at the Olympic Flight Museum in Olympia, Washington. When restoration of The Museum of Flight's own FM-2 Wildcat is complete, it will have a permanent home in this exhibit. |
