Photos

G3M Type 96 bombers of the Chitose Kokutai attacking Wake Island, December 1941.

A G3M crew eats lunch beneath their aircraft.

Grumman F3F-1 Fighters

Grumman F3F-2 Fighters

Grumman F3F-2 Fighters

from Fighting Squadron Five (VF-5), USS Yorktown (CV-5) Flying in a three-plane formation over the Southern California coast, circa 1939-40. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

from Fighting Squadron Five (VF-5), USS Yorktown (CV-5) In a three-plane formation over the Southern California coast, circa 1939-40. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

An unusual view taken as an F4F comes in to land aboard the carrier USS RANGER (CV-4), CIRCA 1942, as seen from a camera mounted behind the pilot.

Grumman F4F "Wildcat" fighter

Photo #: NH 97493 Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter In flight, February 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Photo #: 80-G-7725 Grumman F4F Wildcat fighter Takes off from USS Enterprise (CV-6), while she was operating in the Coral Sea area, 18 May 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Pilot ready for take off in the plane's cockpit, during World War II. Note gunsight at extreme right.

Photo #: NH 97484 Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters Fly in tactical formation of four-plane divisions, comprised of two-plane sections, circa mid-1943. The planes are wearing the red-outlined national insignia briefly employed at that time. The original caption sta

Pilot checks life raft stowage, behind the cockpit, during World War II. In this quickly releasable hatch, the raft can be inflated immediately upon the plane hitting the water. Note use of the radio mast as a hand hold. Plane bears the markings of Fleet Air P

Photo #: 80-PR-1154 Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat fighter, of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3) Prepares to take off from USS Saratoga (CV-3), circa October 1941. The plane's pilot is probably Lt. John S. Thach, VF-3 Commanding Officer. Photograph from Department of the

Photo #: NH 97483 Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat fighter Photographed in 1942-43. The original print is from Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison files. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.