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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND
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Photo # 80-G-2889:  Grumman XF4F-3 prototype in flight, 1939

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY AIRCRAFT -- 1922-1962 DESIGNATION SYSTEM --

Grumman XF4F-3 prototype

The XF4F-3, prototype for what became the first F4F production version, was the XF4F-2 rebuilt to eliminate the many troubles that had cost it the 1937-38 competition to become the Navy's first monoplane fighter. Since the basic Grumman design seemed promising, in October 1938 the Navy gave the company a contract to build a modified version. Using the XF4F-2's Bureau of Aeronautics serial number (Bureau # 0383) and much of its structure, the "new" plane had squared-off wings and tail and a different model of the Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engine.

Completed in February 1939, the XF4F-3 demonstrated improved performance and significantly better reliability. Impressed, the Navy ordered 54 F4F-3 production variants in August 1939. As is almost always the case with prototype trials, XF4F-3 flight tests generated a number of design changes that were applied to the service F4F-3 airplanes, the most visible of which was a larger vertical tail and higher location for the tailplane.

This page features all our views of the Grumman XF4F-3 prototype.

For more pictorial coverage of F4F type fighters, see:

  • Grumman F4F "Wildcat" fighters.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 97481

    Grumman XF4F-3 prototype

    (Bureau # 0383)

    Photographed during flight testing, circa April 1939.

    The original print is from Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison files.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-2889

    Grumman XF4F-3 fighter prototype

    (Bureau # 0383)

    In flight during early testing, 3 April 1939.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 71KB; 740 x 575 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 97482

    Grumman XF4F-3 prototype

    (Bureau # 0383)

    Photographed during flight testing, 21 July 1939.

    The original print is from Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison files.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 565 pixels

     

    For more pictorial coverage of F4F fighters, see:

  • Grumman F4F "Wildcat" fighters.


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 21 January 2001
    Coding updated 6 May 2009