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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: Grumman F4F/FM Wildcat
    Latest Model:FM-2 Wildcat
    Last Military Serial:55052 USN
    Construction Number:2693
    Latest Owner or Location:USS Hornet Museum, Alameda, California

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    Dates

    Event

    Constructed as a FM-2 by General Motors Eastern Aircraft Division at Baltimore, MD, USA.

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Navy with BuNo 55052.

    Markings Applied: 15

    14 June 1945

    Crashed.
    Flown by Ensign E.J. Robinson off of the USS Wolverine (IX-64) in Lake Michigan. The post crash analysis report stated while qualifying in carrier landings aboard the USS WOLVERINE, this pilot received an unanswered wave-off. Engine stuck throttle but apparently lost RPM until flight could no longer be maintained. Pilot made a normal water landing and the plane sank in Lake Michigan. Because the airplane is not available for examination the Board attributes 100 percent to power plant failure.

    From Circa 1990 to Circa 1995

    Recovered.

    By 1995

    To NMNA, NAS Pensacola, FL.

    14 November 1995

    Recovered.
    Retrieved from Lake Michigan.

    From By 1996 to By 2006

    Stored at the museum unrestored.

    In the inventory of National Naval Aviation Museum-Loan Program, NAS Pensacola, Pensacola, FL.
    View the Location Dossier

    2006

    To USS Hornet Museum, Alameda, CA.
    Sent to the museum as a restoration project.
    View the Location Dossier

    10 September 2010


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: In the restoration section of the hangar deck of the USS Hornet.

    10 September 2010


    Photographer: Mike Henniger

    10 September 2010


    Photographer: Mike Henniger

    10 September 2010


    Photographer: Mike Henniger

    10 September 2010


    Photographer: Mike Henniger

    19 September 2011


    Photographer: Mike Henniger

    19 September 2011


    Photographer: Mike Henniger

    19 September 2011


    Photographer: Mike Henniger

    21 May 2012


    Photographer: Joe Martinez Thunder and Roll Images
    Notes: Interior of the aft fuselage.

    21 May 2012


    Photographer: Joe Martinez Thunder and Roll Images
    Notes: Looking forward, interior fuselage.

    28 August 2012


    Photographer: Joe Martinez Thunder and Roll Images
    Notes: Sheet metal work on right hand side of fuselage.

    28 August 2012


    Photographer: Joe Martinez Thunder and Roll Images
    Notes: Left hand detail of fuselage.

    8 October 2012


    Photographer: D.R. de Pruis

    10 December 2013


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: This photo was taken at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

    10 December 2013


    Photographer: Mike Henniger
    Notes: This photo was taken at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

    By 28 April 2014


    Photographer: David Orias
    Notes: On the USS Hornet Airgroup

    13 June 2018


    Photographer: Daniel Compo - Florida Metal Aviation Photography
    Notes: Restoration complete with lights


    This dossier is waiting for review by an editor.This airframe dossier is based on
    unreviewed imported data.
    If you can verify the documented history or add to it with additional text and/or photos please feel free to do so by using the upload tool and the history editor.

    Credits
    Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...

    Print Sources
    U.S. Military Out of Service 2010 by Andy Marden
    Warbirds Directory, 5th Edition by Geoff Goodall

    Internet Sources
    Aerodata Quantum+
    United States Military Services Serial Number Lists by Joe Baugher

    Individual Contributors
    John Bennett
    Mike Henniger
    Joe Martinez

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