Question about FM-2 belly windows

Piccy's!
Yep, there's the window.
Could be the tail of a Martlett on the far right, too.
...I never knew we lent the Brits Avengers.

Elvis said:

Piccy's!
Yep, there's the window.
Could be the tail of a Martlett on the far right, too.
...I never knew we lent the Brits Avengers.

Click to expand...

Tarpons they calls 'em

I'm afraid the pic posted by GG is of a little bit incorrect caption. The FM-2s for the FAA were named Martlet VI ( Wildcat VI) but not the Wildcat IV or Martlet IV. I would say the Martlets seen in the pic are either the Martlet V/Wildcat V (FM-1) or the Martlet ( Wildcat ) IV ( F4F-4B) . The FM-2 ( Martlet VI later Wildcat VI ) had only two one-piece cooling tabs ( one per a side ) on the top of the engine cowling while the Martlet IV/Martlet V could have them on the top ( three small tabs or one larger ) and bottom (one tab ). Also there can be seen the small air intake at the top of the front ring of the engine cowling. The FM-2 did't have it there. Additionally the FM-2 had the fin + rudder taller than these earlier variants of the Wildcats. The Martlet seen in the pic seems to have it as the most of F4Fs. Because these in the pic seem to be the Martlet IV/Martlet V, the small belly window can be seen too. As far as I know the image posted by GG presents the 846 squadron embarked on the HMS Tracker for anti-submarine sweeps in support of the D-Day landings in June 1844.

Here is another Martlet V of the FAA.. however, judging by the serial it might have been the Martlet VI. So the caption can be misleading too. But I believe that's the Martlet V.


the pic source: F4F Wildcat part 1 | World War Photos

But this one is a Martlet V rather .. what is more the enlarged part shows tha the bottom window was there for the version of the Martlet.



the pic source: F4F Wildcat part 1 | World War Photos

and here quite well known shot of Martlet V in 1944... the window is seen well. Also please notice the cooling tabs at the top and bottom of the engine cowling like in the pic posted by GG.


the pic source: https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2618/4000380691_2b02230f82_b.jpg

And here is a shot of the FM-2/Martlet VI ( Wildcat VI ) planes of 853 FAA Squadron seen embarked on HMS Tracker in 1944...
Please notice the tall fin and rudder, the engine cowling withouth the air intake at top but with the one-piece cooling tab at top and different exahaust .
The enlarged shot of the mid kite reveal that there wasn't the belly windos for the FM-2/Martlet VI (Wildcat VI ).




the pic source:Escort Carrier Photo Index: (BACV-6) / HMS TRACKER (D24)

"Don't forget that the FAA had about 340 FM-2s, named "Wildcat Mk.IV" which should not be confused with the Martlet IV.

Here's the deck of HMS Illustrious loaded with Wildcat Mk.IVs and if you closely at the one in the foreground, you can see the belly window."

Hi Graugeist,

You're absolutely right about those FAA aircraft, but the aircraft in the foreground was built as an FM-1 rather than an FM-2. The exhausts/cowling is the dead giveaway. The extended tail helps with identification too, but the extension was designed to be retrofitted to earlier models. (While I've never seen an earlier model with the tall tail, I'm sure there's one lurking out there to prove me wrong as soon as I base an identification on the height of the rudder and fin!)

Cheers,



Dana

Dana,

I would like to ask you.. all books abot the Widcat say that the FM-2 for the FAA was named the Martlet VI or Wildcat VI But the Wildcat IV that was the Martlet IV.

So is the GG's info correct or just typo?

"Don't forget that the FAA had about 340 FM-2s, named "Wildcat Mk.IV" which should not be confused with the Martlet IV

Hi Wurger,

Just a bout of early morning blurry-eyed syndrome on my part - I should never read/type before I'm awake! Yes the Brit FM-2s were Wildcat 6s, but I read the "IV" as a six not a four.

I fear for America's youth, with so many schools dropping any teaching of Roman numerals, but in this case the mistake was mine...

Cheers,


Dana

No. no... all is fine Dana. No problemo Just the GG's post made me a little bit confused. He used the mark IV in his post firstly. Therefore my post #43 here.

THX for your replay.

In case there is still interest in where the belly windows were, here are some shots that may give an outline.
















source: ed - photos by Landry

Good stuff Ed