FM-2 Wildcat Top Gun

[Jack Cook]

LT Ralph Elliot 9 kills VC-27 with his FM-2 named for his brother's German Shepard

[Mgawa]

Interesting I know for Thunderbolt with letters Ole Baldy, it look like this is some common term in american language. Image is excellent, as usual

[Jack Cook]

The P-47 Ole Baldy was was named after Gen George Meade's horse ie war horse whicch he rode during the Civil War.

[Mgawa]

Hey- I did not know that, thank you!!!!

[Starduster77]

Like this photo.
Anyone know the rest of the markings for this FM-2?Like code number/letters or if it had kill markings?
Thanks.
Rick

[John Dupre]

Isn't there a mountain or mountains in the US known as Old Baldy as well?

[Jack Cook]

That was a mt were we fought at in Korea.

[Holedigger]

If you trust Wiki...26 Old Baldys in the US, and then other derivatives as well, Mount, Little, Big, lots more there!

[Baldeagle]

Like this photo.
Anyone know the rest of the markings for this FM-2?Like code number/letters or if it had kill markings?
Thanks.
Rick

In the Osprey Wildcat Aces book on page 67 there's a photo of Elliot climbing into the right side of the cockpit of an FM-2 with "BALDY" just forward of the windshield and 9 Japanese flags beneath the name, a close shot with only the cockpit area visible.




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[marine air]

What was the time frame where the Wildcat was the U.S. Navy's best air superiority fighter? I know at the outbreak they were replacing the Buffalo, and F3F, and then later bested by the Hellcat, Corsair, F7f Tigercat, and at the end of the war the Bearcat.

[Jack Cook]

I don't know about the Wildcat ever being the best but by the end of the war FM-2s were downing Georges, Jacks and Franks.

[Holedigger]

The Wildcat was the "Best" of the USN from 40-late 43. The Buffalo just didn't hack the hard carrier landings and was withdrawn from that duty. With around 60 aces made in the Wildcat, it carried the USN for the first dark days in the thick of combat. Bearcat and Tigercat did NOT really see active service on the sharp end of the stick in WW2, so throw those out! Corsair and Hellcat slammed the door when they came in, but the Wildcat soldiered on from land and escort carriers.