Early in the Pacific War in WWII the Grumman F4F Wildcat was the best fighter aircraft the U.S.
had but was out performed by the Japanese Zero. The Wildcat’s folding wings allowed for a
greater number of aircraft that could be carried but added extra weight and reduced the aircraft
performance. New features such as self-sealing fuel tanks, heavy armor made up for the
Wildcat’s lesser performance. By the end of WWII the F4F had flown approximately 15,500
sorties with a kill ratio of 6.9 victories to 1.

With the Japanese carriers eliminated in the Pacific some smaller USN escort carriers were
redeployed to the Atlantic to help protect convoys from German U-boats that had been exacting a
heavy toll. The Bogue, Card, Core and Croatan became Hunter-Killer carriers equipped with
Wildcats and Avengers. VC-12 was established on October 6, 1943 at NAS Sand Point, Seattle,
Washington and spent the winter of 1943/44 onboard the USS Core. During this period VC-12
logged thirty four engagements. VC-12 was disestablished on June 7, 1945.

Specifications For The Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat
British Name – Martlet

Number Of All Wildcat Variants Produced – 7,860

Role - American Carrier-based Fighter
Crew – 1

Dimensions
Length – 28 ft 9 in   (8.8 m)
Wingspan – 38 ft   (11.6 m)
Height – 9 ft 2.5 in   (2.8 m)

Weight
Empty – 5,895 lb   (2,674 kg)
Loaded – 7,975 lb   (3,617 kg)
Maximum Takeoff – 8,762 lb   (3,974 kg)

Performance
Powerplant – 1 X Pratt & Whitney R-1830-86 Double-Row Radial Engine, 1,200 hp   (900 kW)
Maximum Speed – 320 mph   (290 kn / 515 km/h)
Rate Of Climb – 2,200 ft/min   (11.17 m/s) Normal Power
Service Ceiling – 34,000 ft   (10,363 m)
Range – 830 miles   (721 nmi / 1,337 km)

Armament
Guns – 6 X .050 in   (12.7 mm) AN/M2 Browning Machine Guns

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