Delivered to USN in September 1941 and assigned to VF-5 aboard the USS Yorktown. Transferred to VGF-27 in April 1942, and then to the Carrier Qualification Training Unit (CQTU) at NRAB Glenview in August 1942. On 21 July 1943 while taking off from USS Wolverine, the right wing struck a TBF Avenger on the flight deck, causing the F4F to swerve off the flight deck. The pilot was rescued uninjured. It was recovered from Lake Michigan on 26 September 1991. It is currently on display unrestored in the Sunken Treasures exhibit inside the museum as it was found in the lake.

Displayed in its early USN colours, this Wildcat was taken on charge in June 1941 and assigned to VF-72 as NAS Norfolk with a short period on loan to FAA 892 Sqdn in mid-1942. The F4F-3 was the first version of the Wildcat to be produced in quantity for the Navy and unlike later models, did not have folding wings. In 1943 it was allocated to the Carrier Qualification Training Unit (CQTU) at NAS Glenview, IL and was yet another aircraft lost in Lake Michigan when it ditched during at attempted take-off from USS Wolverine in August that year, lying in the depths till recovery in 1991

This F4F-3 was assigned to VF-72 from 24 June 1941 through 6 December 1941. It later served with VF-9, and was briefly loaned to FAA Squadron 892 for training use in the U.S. during July - September 1942. Its last assignment, from May - August 1943 was with the Carrier Qualification Training Unit (CQTU) at NAS Glenview, IL. It was lost in Lake Michigan on 17 August 1943. The a/c was recovered from the lake on 22 August 1990, restored, and is on display inside the main museum building.

ex US Navy 12296, N3210D

ex US Navy 12296, N3210D

On display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. This Wildcat flying from USS Sable ditched in Lake Michigan on Jan. 16, 1944. At the time, many pilots qualified for deck landing on USS Sable and USS Wolverine, which were side paddle-wheel aircraft carriers. Quite a few aircraft were lost in Lake Michigan, and this Wildcat was recovered in 1988.

This Wildcat is on display on the Hangar Deck of the super USS Midway Museum.