Merriam Press World War 2 Album No. 13, Second Edition, 2015. Pictorial history of the Grumman F4F Wildcat, its prototypes and variants, and the air forces that used this famous naval fighter, profusely illustrated with photos and drawings. The Grumman F4F Wildcat was an American carrier-based fighter aircraft that began service with both the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy (as the Martlet) in 1940. First used in combat by the British in Europe, the Wildcat was the only effective fighter available to the United States Navy and Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater during the early part of World War II in 1941 and 1942. 383 photos, illustrations and drawings.