My late father flew FM2's like this one off an escort carrier in 1944 & 45. It was the GM variant with the more powerful 1,350 HP engine. He also few Hellcats & was assigned to reserve squadron after the war that flew Corsairs. When I asked which, he preferred he said the Wildcat. The others were more capable weapons platforms but Wiildcat was so small however that instead of getting in it he felt like he was putting it on.
Even though I'm sick, I watched this again and am feeling much better. I can't explain it but like motorcycles, certain War Birds too, is therapeutic. It just gives you a boost of goodness. Thank you so much.
Thanks for a great show Mr. Gillian, fabulous aerobatics in an awesome FM-2. And thumbs up for Airshow Stuff for Not adding music. That Pratt&Whitney is a beautiful sound.
Craig Pennington i didn't know until i compared their specifications F4F/4 to the FM2 the verdical stabilizer is taller also about the only differences.
I'm completely naive to the noises that radial airplanes made but the noise that engine is making is epic. I'm guessing soldiers could differentiate aircrafts solely off the exhaust and engine note. Any other WW2 planes that have a "good" sounding lope or chop?
I recall back in the 1960's visiting (after a short bicycle ride) this same aircraft as it sat at a corner near Palwaukee Municipal Airport (now called Chicago Executive Airport). From what I understand, it participated in training pilots in carrier landings on Lake Michigan. Fortunately, it didn't end up at the bottom of the lake as did so many others. Those planes have & are currently being raised for restoration or display. Has quite a storied ownership/location past traveling from Wheeling Illinois, to Florida, California (twice!), Netherlands, United Kingdom, & finally back to Aurora Illinois. Great to see it in the air & in the USA where it belongs! Mike Gillian is one hell of a pilot!! P.S. The F4F wing shape has been referred to as a "Hershey Bar", wonder why?
There’s something about the wildcat that makes it one of my favorite. Amazing how it won the first couple years of the war, until the f4u, and f6f came into service. Rugged and with just enough performance to keep it in the fight.
The sky was perfect for the flight, custom ordered. Around 75 years old when this clip was published and looks like it's just been certified for delivery. *Jim Goff,* figured you'd like to watch this clip again.
I have a rc F4F Wildcat and have to say that design flies so good way better then my Mustang which requires all of my attention on take off especially do to the Pfactor even on a small scale rc plane. just a side note I was working in Compton Ca. I met the widow of the gentleman that designed the landing gear for the Wildcat which was revolutionary for that time.
Our pilot like brewster ww2 1941-1943 Fin pilots drop many russian hurricane!. And JAKK fighters!! Ithink this is like brewster its "ugly" and they call that plane (brewster) flying barrell cuz that shape of plane!!. Bouth Ilmari Juutilainen ja Hans Wind like 4x 12,7 guns bouth pilots where knits of Mannerheim crossa!!. 🇫🇮🇫🇮☠ Greetings from Finland!!.
I doubt the speed would be that impressive, being that portly and without faired wheels, but the climb rate, ceiling, and short-field performance would probably be something else.
The FM2 had the Wright Cyclone 9 CYL single row radial instead of the 14 CYL 2 row PW radial of the F4F. With methanol/water injection it provided great power although the weight savings was minimal. This would account for the different sound. This plane made it into the war at about the same time that the Hellcat and Corsair did so it was a fairly rare bird. You can also see that the exhaust exits along the side of the cowl rather than underneath like the F4F. The dark blue paint is also like the other late war Navy aircraft. Pretty cool bird if you ask me.
How can it be one of your least favorite? The Wildcat helped turn the tide of the war in the Pacific before the more elegant planes had any impact or were even available.
@@cloudstreets1396 It may be ugly to you but it is FREEDOM to me and millions who love and cherish that word (freedom). Planes like humans- all can't be Mr. & Miss, or Mrs. Glamour.
My late father flew FM2's like this one off an escort carrier in 1944 & 45. It was the GM variant with the more powerful 1,350 HP engine. He also few Hellcats & was assigned to reserve squadron after the war that flew Corsairs. When I asked which, he preferred he said the Wildcat. The others were more capable weapons platforms but Wiildcat was so small however that instead of getting in it he felt like he was putting it on.
Awesome demo of one of my favorite WWII navy fighters, but the cloudy sky background made this video just way over the top!
I see what you did there! LOL
@@CHYIG78 🙂
Every time I view this video, it just keeps getting better. Must be glorious to fly that Wildcat.
Beautiful airplane and demo!
Even though I'm sick, I watched this again and am feeling much better. I can't explain it but like motorcycles, certain War Birds too, is therapeutic. It just gives you a boost of goodness. Thank you so much.
Thanks for a great show Mr. Gillian, fabulous aerobatics in an awesome FM-2. And thumbs up for Airshow Stuff for Not adding music. That Pratt&Whitney is a beautiful sound.
Craig Pennington sorry wrong engine it a wright cyclone.
My mistake
Craig Pennington i didn't know until i compared their specifications F4F/4 to the FM2 the verdical stabilizer is taller also about the only differences.
I'm completely naive to the noises that radial airplanes made but the noise that engine is making is epic. I'm guessing soldiers could differentiate aircrafts solely off the exhaust and engine note. Any other WW2 planes that have a "good" sounding lope or chop?
I recall back in the 1960's visiting (after a short bicycle ride) this same aircraft as it sat at a corner near Palwaukee Municipal Airport (now called Chicago Executive Airport). From what I understand, it participated in training pilots in carrier landings on Lake Michigan. Fortunately, it didn't end up at the bottom of the lake as did so many others. Those planes have & are currently being raised for restoration or display. Has quite a storied ownership/location past traveling from Wheeling Illinois, to Florida, California (twice!), Netherlands, United Kingdom, & finally back to Aurora Illinois. Great to see it in the air & in the USA where it belongs! Mike Gillian is one hell of a pilot!! P.S. The F4F wing shape has been referred to as a "Hershey Bar", wonder why?
Thanks for the uploads
There’s something about the wildcat that makes it one of my favorite. Amazing how it won the first couple years of the war, until the f4u, and f6f came into service. Rugged and with just enough performance to keep it in the fight.
The sky was perfect for the flight, custom ordered. Around 75 years old when this clip was published and looks like it's just been certified for delivery.
*Jim Goff,* figured you'd like to watch this clip again.
And don’t forget the FM-2 had a really great record in aerial combat it’s just overshadowed by the larger and newer cats and Corsairs
I adore the little Wildcat, Grumman sure knew what they were doing, it looks ready for a scrap
I have a rc F4F Wildcat and have to say that design flies so good way better then my Mustang which requires all of my attention
on take off especially do to the Pfactor even
on a small scale rc plane.
just a side note I was working in Compton Ca. I met the widow of the gentleman that designed the landing gear for the Wildcat which was revolutionary for that time.
ÓTIMO SHOW AÉREO DESSE AVIÃO HISTÓRICO 👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 🇧🇷
The little bird that could! An amazing aircraft and a beautiful performance. Does that thing even stall LOL 😂
Dat radial sound tho!
Wow love that plane. Wonder how the FM2 would have done early on.
If I could own and fly a WWII fighter the Wildcat would be it
If this thing was less nimble than a Zero, the Zero must have been an UFO because damn...
That little thing does awesome loops. Not bad, overall
Our pilot like brewster ww2 1941-1943 Fin pilots drop many russian hurricane!. And JAKK fighters!! Ithink this is like brewster its "ugly" and they call that plane (brewster) flying barrell cuz that shape of plane!!. Bouth Ilmari Juutilainen ja Hans Wind like 4x 12,7 guns bouth pilots where knits of Mannerheim crossa!!. 🇫🇮🇫🇮☠ Greetings from Finland!!.
Examine the ship closely.
See why it is the Bearcat's ancestor.
Wonder how it would do with the 1,700 hp Wright R-1820 for air racing.
I doubt the speed would be that impressive, being that portly and without faired wheels, but the climb rate, ceiling, and short-field performance would probably be something else.
Cloud Streets,are you constipated?
I played it at 1.5x to give them a better chance in a dogfight.
Selling it short mate, it held the line while its successors were taking their good time getting ready
It sounds like the engine is about to blow and sounds like a helicopter
The FM2 had the Wright Cyclone 9 CYL single row radial instead of the 14 CYL 2 row PW radial of the F4F. With methanol/water injection it provided great power although the weight savings was minimal. This would account for the different sound. This plane made it into the war at about the same time that the Hellcat and Corsair did so it was a fairly rare bird. You can also see that the exhaust exits along the side of the cowl rather than underneath like the F4F. The dark blue paint is also like the other late war Navy aircraft.
Pretty cool bird if you ask me.
Terrible demo of one of my least favorite WWII navy fighters, but the cloudy sky background made this video just really crappy!
If you have nothing nice to say sometimes it's better just to move on and keep it to yourself.
Matt Insley exactly
How can it be one of your least favorite? The Wildcat helped turn the tide of the war in the Pacific before the more elegant planes had any impact or were even available.
ALRIGHTY THEN - Easy. It’s ugly.
@@cloudstreets1396 It may be ugly to you but it is FREEDOM to me and millions who love and cherish that word (freedom). Planes like humans- all can't be Mr. & Miss, or Mrs. Glamour.