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Grumman Wildcat FR.VII

34.5k GhostHTX  6.5 years ago

Ok chaps, this is a fictional upgrade of the Fleet Air Arms Wildcats, incorporating some updated features and so on.

Controls;

AG1-vtol up, drop flaps turn on landing light
AG2-vtol down, fold wings
AG3-vtol up, deploy hook
AG4-drop inner stores, drop tanks in this case
AG5- nav lights

Performance in within ballpark. Top speed @ 10,000 ft approx 305mph.

She has a good roll rate and is generally quite forgiving to land.

She has fuctional cowl flaps (tied to throttle) and a semi detailed cockpit, with pilot head shake. This is camera 1.

Full blurb can be found here;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyfugu/32120816086

By a gentlman that goes by «dizzyfugu»;

The FAA's F4Fs also pioneered combat operations from the smaller escort carriers. Six Martlets went to sea aboard the converted former German merchant vessel HMS Audacity in September 1941, proviing highly effective convoy escort operations. The British received 300 Eastern Aircraft FM-1s as the Martlet V in 1942–43 340 FM-2s as the Wildcat VI and finally 120 GM-built FM-3s (known in FAA service as Wildcat VII), the final evolution of the Wildcat and originally designated F4F-8 by the US Navy.

100 F4F-8 were delivered as fighters, plus 20 more as photo reconnaissance aircraft with a different equipment. This final incarnation of the Wildcat featured a new teardrop canopy and a lowered spine, which improved the pilot's field of view considerably. The FM-2’s enlarged fin was kept in order to ensure directional stability.

The F4F-8 revered to the 14 cylinder powerplant, a Pratt & Whitney R-1830-94. In order to improve survivability and allow fast dashes over hazardous territory, the engine was augmented with a water/methanol booster system that could temporarily raise output and performance. The exhaust system was also modified, exploiting the exhaust gases for additional thrust. This measure, plus a new four blade propeller, improved the speed envelope by ~20mph (30 km/h), top speed now almost reached 370 mph and rate of climb was also temporarily amended.

The F8F-8 fighter received an improved armament of four 20mm cannon in the inner wing sections, which were still foldable. The outer pair of machine guns was deleted. The resulting shift of the aircraft’s center of gravity resulted in a slightly higher rate of roll and compensated for the heavier new guns and their ammunition. Two “wet” hardpoints under the inner wings could hold 1.000 lb (454 kg) each, alternatively six HVARs could be carried under the outer wings.

The F4F-8P differed from the fighter in so far that it carried three cameras in the lower rear fuselage, with respective ventral windows. The armor was reduced and the armament consisted of only four 0.5mm machine guns in the inner wings. An additional internal fuel tank and an optional pair of drop tanks under the inner wings allowed the carriage of an additional 255 gal (965 l) of fuel for a total of about 450 gal (1,700 l). With the underwing drop tanks, maximum range was up to 3,000 mi (4.830 km). In FAA service these machines were called Wildcat FR.VII.

Pip pip, chaps!

General Characteristics

  • Successors 1 airplane(s)
  • Created On iOS
  • Wingspan 40.8ft (12.4m)
  • Length 30.6ft (9.3m)
  • Height 13.9ft (4.2m)
  • Empty Weight 7,557lbs (3,427kg)
  • Loaded Weight 12,203lbs (5,535kg)

Performance

  • Power/Weight Ratio 0.552
  • Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.245
  • Wing Loading 5.9lbs/ft2 (29.0kg/m2)
  • Wing Area 2,052.2ft2 (190.7m2)
  • Drag Points 7964

Parts

  • Number of Parts 347
  • Control Surfaces 6
  • Performance Cost 1,619
  • Log in to leave a comment
  • Profile image
    4,755 Alien

    done @GhostHTX

    6.5 years ago
  • Profile image
    34.5k GhostHTX

    Ok, Im struggling here. Can you try logging into MTBR.com (mountain bike website) and sending me a PM? I have the same username, only with a _ between the Ghost and the HTX... Sorry for the faffing around... @Alien

    6.5 years ago
  • Profile image
    34.5k GhostHTX

    @Tang0five @Alien
    Many thanks, gents.
    Oh, Alien, I couldnt get the number you sent to work on FB. Only a bunch of weird posts showed up... I promise that I respected the spaces...

    6.5 years ago
  • Profile image
    4,755 Alien

    Oh my giddy aunt! Another top notch job my old dandy!

    +1 6.5 years ago
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    53.2k Tang0five

    Splendid! Cockpit detail looks good and the pegs fold away neatly too! Jolly splendid old bean, jolly splendid indeed!

    +1 6.5 years ago