@ Santa Maria, CA
October 2018
This Wildcat was one of several warbirds in attendance at the inaugural Central Coast Airfest at Santa Maria Airport. This aircraft was delivered in August 1945 and was immediately put into surplus and then sold. During restoration in 2003 it was painted as a Martlet VI to commemorate RAF Squadron 835 on the escort carrier HMS Nairana. The tubby Grumman F4F Wildcat first flew in 1937 and entered into production two years later. In 1942 Grumman needed to focus on the new F6F Hellcat and outsourced Wildcat production to General Motors with the FM-1 designation. GM subsequently improved on the design with the FM-2, with a larger engine and taller tail. The FM-2 differed from the F4F as it was lighter, faster, had improved climb rate, longer range and was more maneuverable with the more powerful Wright R-1820 (1350HP) engine. Nikon D7100 w/18-200mm.
