| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | 3872 |
| Military Code: | 72-F-7 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Grumman F4F/FM Wildcat (G-18/36/52/53) |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Grumman F4F/FM Wildcat (G-18/36/52/53) |
| Aircraft Version: | Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat |
| C/n (msn): | 754 |
| Operator Titles: | USA - Navy |
| Unit Markings: | VF-72 |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | Pensacola - NAS / Forrest Sherman FieldMap |
| Region / Country: | Florida, United States |
| Airport Codes: | ICAO: KNPA IATA: NPA Local: NPA Other: - |
| Collection: | National Museum of Naval Aviation |
| Photo Date: | 13 December 2024 |
| Photo by: | Richard Vandervord |
| Photo ID: | 766934 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
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 photo is copyright © Richard Vandervord, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 10 January 2025, and has since been viewed 53 times. |