GRUMANN F4F-3S "WILDCATFISH" US NAVY FLOATPLANE

Description

The Grumman F4F-3S «Wildcatfish», a floatplane version of the F4F-3. Edo Aircraft fitted one F4F with twin floats. This floatplane version of the F4F-3 as developed for use at forward island bases in the Pacific, before the construction of airfields. It was inspired by the A6M2-N «Rufe», a modification of the Mitsubishi A6M2. BuNo 4083 was modified to become the F4F-3S «Wildcatfish». Twin floats, manufactured by Edo Aircraft Corporation, were fitted. To restore the stability, small auxiliary fins were added to the tailplane. Because this was still insufficient, a ventral fin was added later. The F4F-3S was first flown 28 February 1943. (Scale : 1/72e)