General Motors FM-2 Wildcat – Summer of Flight

Experience Warbirds in flight this summer!

From May through September, join the Military Aviation Museum every Saturday at 1 PM for narrated flying demonstrations showcasing historical aircraft and commemorating significant wartime events. Experience the rumble of the engines up close as pilots share what it’s like to fly these incredible machines. Learn about the battles they fought in and the men and women who built, flew, and maintained them during the war! Summer of Flight is included with general admission to the museum and free for members. Events begin at 1:00 PM unless stated otherwise.

The Wildcat was America’s front-line, carrier based, fighter at the start of the war. Although the airplane was outmatched by its adversaries, superior tactics developed by US Navy pilots would allow Wildcat squadrons to hold back the Japanese advance.

The Grumman F4F would serve in many major WWII battles, including Coral Sea and Midway, where carrier-based Wildcats would provide fighter cover for Dauntlesses and Devastators. Land-based Wildcats would play a major role in the 1942 – 1943 campaign for Guadalcanal.

Derived from the Grumman-built F4F-4, the FM-2 Wildcat was manufactured by General Motors and featured several design improvements including a modified tail, more powerful engine (Wright Cyclone R-1820-56) and reduced number of in-wing guns to allow for the carriage of additional ammunition.

In July 1945, a short time before the end of the war, the airplane was assigned to Naval Auxiliary Air Station Pungo in Virginia Beach, just 4 miles north of the Museum!