F4f Performance

U.S. Naval Air Station
Anacostia, D.C.
January 23, 1941

Final Report of
Production Inspection Trials
On
Model F4F-3 Airplanes No. 1845, 1848, 1851

SUMMARY

        The performance data pertaining to the model F4F-3 airplanes as fighters, with useful load specified in paragraph 104a of reference (l), are compared below with the guarantees, as revised by changes Nos. B to F, inclusive, as stated in reference (c), as follows:
 
 ActualGuaranteed
Airplane No.18451848 
Full load weight (lbs.)62607065-
Center of gravity location (% M.A.C.) 26.1 28.2-
Maximum speed at airplane critical altitude (m.p.h.)  331     330*Not less
than 350
Minimum speed without power at sea level (m.p.h.)    70    81Not more
than 69.5
Service ceiling, starting with normal load (ft.)38200   37000*Not less
than 34300
Take-off distance in a 25-knot wind (ft.)   171   194Not more
than 190
      *With weight at start of flight of 7300 pounds.

F4F-3 No. 1845 Performance Characteristics
F4F-3 No. 1848 Performance Characteristics

For the full report see HERE


Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
Report No. 1469A
August 12, 1941

Detail Specification
For
Model F4F-3 Airplane

SUMMARY

(Normal)
Fighter
(Bomber)
 
(Overload)
Fighter
 
Fuel (gals.)110110147
Gross weight (lbs.)6895  6891  7432  
High speed at sea level (MPH)278264277
High speed at 5500 ft. (MPH)*295281294
High speed at 6800 ft. (MPH)*294280293
High speed at 13,000 ft. (MPH)*313297312
High speed at 14,200 ft. (MPH)*312296310
High speed at max. engine rated alt. 19,000 ft (MPH)330314328
High speed at airplane critical alt. 22,000 ft. (MPH)326320336
Stalling speed at sea level with
    full load and without power (MPH)
      74.4       74.4       77.4
Stalling speed at sea level with
    full load less fuel (MPH) without power
      70.7       70.7       72.5
Stalling speed at sea level less 1/2
    fuel (MPH) without power
      72.5       72.3       73.4
Initial rate of climb at sea level (ft./min.)33003180   3070  
Time to climb to 10000 ft. (min.)        3.5        4.1        4.2
Time to climb to 20000 ft. (min.)        7.6        8.1        8.4
Service ceiling (ft.)31000     30000     30500    
Endurance at high speed (hr.)(alt.)            .84            .84        1.2
Endurance at 90% high speed (hr.)(19000)        1.6        1.6        2.1
Endurance at 75% high speed (hr.)(feet)        3.2        3.2        4.3
Endurance at 60% high speed (hr.)(alt.)        4.4        4.4        6.4
Maximum endurance (hr.) )        4.5        4.5        6.5
Maximum range (mi.)                                         ) at8808801280  
Average speed for maximum range (MPH)         ) 19000                                                                           ) feet 180180185
Average speed for maximum endurance (MPH)  ) altitude160160165
Take-off distance in calm (feet)631640738
Take-off distance in 15-knot wind (ft.)384389449
Take-off distance in 25-knot wind (ft.)252256295

For the full report see HERE


U.S. Naval Air Station
Anacostia, D.C.
March 24, 1942

Final Report of
Production Inspection Trials
On
Model F4F-4 Airplane No. 4058

SUMMARY

        The performance of model F4F-4 airplane No. 4058, as a fighter in the combat condition with the useful load specified in paragraph 104a of reference (j), is compared below with the guarantees as revised by reference (l), as follows:
 
 ActualGuaranteed
Maximum speed at airplane critical altitude* (mph)319Not less
than 328.5
Minimum speed without power at sea level (mph)  76Not more
than 77.3
Service ceiling, starting with normal load (feet)35,000   Not less
than 30,100
Take-off distance in a 25-knot wind (feet)  246Not more
than 296
            *19,400 feet.

F4F-4 No. 4058 Performance Characteristics

For the full report see HERE


U.S. Naval Air Station
Anacostia, D.C.
September 10, 1942

Performance Test of
Model F4F-4 Airplane
With Full Span Flaps

SUMMARY

        The performance of airplane No. 5262 equipped with full span duplex flaps is compared to that of a standard F4F-4, No.. 4058, as follows:
 
         #5262               #4058       
LoadingNormal FighterNormal Fighter
Gross weight (lbs)7369   7370  
Airplane critical altitude (ft)21100     19400   
Vmax at critical altitude (mph)318319
Service ceiling (ft)34300   35000   
Rate of climb - S. L. (ft/min)1850   1850  
Take-off distances:
    Inboard flaps only -
        Zero wind (ft)680  725*
        25-kt. wind (ft)250  287*
    Airpspeed at take-off (MPH)  69    73*
    Inboard and outboard flaps
        Zero wind (ft)630
        25-kt. wind (ft)215
    Airspeed at take-off (MPH)65.5 
Stalling speeds:
    Crusing condition, power on (MPH)81.5   81
    Crusing condition, power off (MPH)82.5   87
Inboard flaps only -
    Landing condition, power on (MPH)66.5   70
    Landing condition, power off (MPH)  72  76
Inboard and outboard flaps -
    Landing condition, power on (MPH)61.5 
    Landing condition, power off (MPH)  69

*Corrected for variation in tail wheel arrangement. (see reference (b)) These figures are not considered strictly comparable due to improved methods subsequently employed for determining airspeed at take off.

For the full report see HERE


U.S. Naval Air Station
Anacostia, D.C.
September 19, 1942

Miscellaneous Tests
(Droppable Fuel Tank. Performance at Military Power, Combat comparison)
Model F4F-4 Airplane

SUMMARY

        The performance of the airplane (without auxiliary tanks) using the military power rating of the engine is shown in curves forming enclosure (A) and is tabulated as follows:
 
Gross Weight7933
Critical altitude for 1100 H.P. (ft)17200
Maximum Speed at airplane critical altitude (mph)316
Service ceiling (ft)33100
Rate of climb at sea level (ft/min)1820
Rate of climb at 16300 feet altitude (ft/min)1500
Take-off distance in a calm (ft)875
Take-off distance in a 25 knot wind (ft)342
Increase in indicated speed shifting from normal rating to military at 19000 feet altitude (knots)2.5

F4F-4 No. 02135 Performance Characteristics

For the full report see HERE


Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
Report No. 1471C
October 21, 1942

Detail Specification
For
Model F4F-4 Airplane

SUMMARY

(Normal)
Fighter
(Bomber)
 
(Overload)
Fighter
 
Fuel (gals.)110110144
Gross weight (lbs.)7426  7424  7972  
High speed at sea level (MPH)    275.0    265.1    274.4
High speed at 2500 ft. (MPH)*    281.8    271.8    281.1
High speed at 4600 ft. (MPH)*    283.1    273.0    282.7
High speed at 12,000 ft. (MPH)*    303.2    293.2    302.4
High speed at 14,000 ft. (MPH)*    304.5    294.3    303.8
High speed at max. engine rated alt. 19,000 ft (MPH)    317.0    307.1    315.0
High speed at airplane critical alt. 19,400 ft. (MPH)    318.0    308.2    316.1
Stalling speed at sea level with
    full load and without power (MPH)
      78.7       78.5       77.4
Stalling speed at sea level with
    full load less fuel (MPH) without power
      70.7       70.7       81.3
Stalling speed at sea level less 1/2
    fuel (MPH) without power
      75.0       74.9       76.8
Initial rate of climb at sea level (ft./min.)1920   1810   1690  
Time to climb to 10000 ft. (min.)        5.7        6.0        6.5
Time to climb to 20000 ft. (min.)      12.7      13.1      14.7
Service ceiling (ft.)34800     34600     33600    
Endurance at high speed (hr.)(alt.)            .9             .9         1.2
Endurance at 90% high speed (hr.)(19000)        1.4        1.4        1.8
Endurance at 75% high speed (hr.)(feet)        2.7        2.7        3.5
Endurance at 60% high speed (hr.)(alt.)        3.9        3.8        5.0
Maximum endurance (hr.) )        4.2        4.1        5.3
Maximum range (mi.)                                         ) at765705925
Average speed for maximum range (MPH)         ) 19000                                                                           ) feet    190.5    186.0    192.0
Average speed for maximum endurance (MPH)  ) altitude    162.5    164.0    163.7
Take-off distance in calm (feet)605605710
Take-off distance in 15-knot wind (ft.)378378450
Take-off distance in 25-knot wind (ft.)256256310

For the full report see HERE


Supplemental

Martlet I Aircraft Data Sheet
Martlet II Aircraft Data Sheet
Wildcat II Aircraft Data Sheet
Wildcat II Aircraft Data Sheet
Wildcat IV Aircraft Data Sheet
Wildcat V Aircraft Data Sheet
Wildcat VI Aircraft Data Sheet
Wildcat VIA Aircraft Data Sheet
Wildcat VIB Aircraft Data Sheet
F4F-4 Airplane Characteristics & Performance

WWII Aircraft Performance