A true veteran of the Second World War, the Grumman FM-2 Wildcat represents an important chapter in naval aviation history. Built in 1942, G-KINL, construction number 5744, is a survivor of the rugged fighter design that helped Allied forces take the fight to the Axis powers across the world’s oceans.
The FM-2 was a refined version of the original Wildcat, manufactured by General Motors rather than Grumman. Powered by a Wright Cyclone radial engine, it featured a taller tail and improved performance, making it particularly well suited to operations from the small escort carriers that played a vital role during the latter part of the war.
Flying in the markings of AX733, G-KINL wears a Royal Navy-inspired colour scheme that recalls the Wildcat’s service with the Fleet Air Arm, where the type was known as the Martlet before being renamed the Wildcat. These aircraft served aboard British carriers, escorting convoys and providing fighter protection in some of the most demanding conditions of the war.
With its distinctive compact airframe, broad wings and unmistakable radial-engine character, the Wildcat is a reminder of an era when carrier-based aviation was rapidly evolving. Today, surviving examples such as G-KINL provide a rare opportunity to appreciate the engineering, courage and ingenuity that defined wartime naval aviation.
More than eight decades after its manufacture, this historic fighter continues to capture the imagination of aviation enthusiasts, keeping the legacy of the Wildcat alive for a new generation.
