F4F wildcat Vs. Me 109

[Amsel]

If a 109 was in a wildcat pilots sights, it sure could.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

As much as I want to believe the F4F could take it down, there is just no way it could.

Well on at least one occasion it did.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

As much as I want to believe the F4F could take it down, there is just no way it could.

Sure it could. Why couldn't it? Buffalo's did it on many occasion. The Wildcat was a good aircraft. I would go as far as saying the 109 was a better aircraft, but the Wildcat could certainly hold its own.

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

As much as I want to believe the F4F could take it down, there is just no way it could.

The 109 may have the better performance, but it would get killed if the F4F got the jump on him.

 

[vanir]

I read about a surprising comparative exercise held somewhere in the Pacific Theatre (can't remember where, I'll have to look it up), between a Wildcat and a P-40, a bit of friendly interservice rivalry as I understand about who was going to be assigned island defence.
The Wildcat suprised everybody by winning 3 for 3 in mock combat over the field, no contest.

 

[Elvis]

If the F4F-3 or F4F-4 went into combat against a 109. who do you think would come out the victor?

I think that in most cases like this, who's flying those planes are just as big, if not a bigger, factor than the actual performance of the aircraft mentioned.
Based on aircraft performance alone,though, I would think the 109 would probably win that fight.
The "-3" Wildcat had slightly better performance figures than its "-4" replacement, but the "-4" was better protrected, IIRC.
Personally, and based on aircraft performance alone, If I HAD to be flying a Wildcat in that fight, I'd opt for the FM-2.


Elvis

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

Yup, will say that the pilot at the controls is a big factor. A Joe Foss in a -3 has a better chance then a rookie pilot who just completed his training.

 

[Soren]

The F4F Wildcat is slightly more manueverable than the Bf-109, and we all know how dangerous the Zero could be to US fighters even in 44 to 45 if a skilled pilot was at the stick, and by that time US fighters were vastly superior in performance. So it definitely depends a lot on the pilot.