COBI-5731 F4F Wildcat

Set Info:

• Cobi-5731
• 375 Blocks
• Includes 1 figure – U.S. Navy Pilot
• Compatible with other leading brands of construction blocks
• Made in Europe (Poland)
• Illustrated instruction manual included with each set
• Model dimensions (L x W x H): 10.8″ x 14″ x 4.1″
• Recommended Ages: 7 & Up
• Part of COBI World War II series
• Set licensed by Northrop Grumman
• Scale: 1:32

Vehicle Fast Facts:

In U.S. service: 1940-1945
Nation of origin: United States
Role: Fighter
Wingspan: 35 feet 
Length: 51 feet 2 inches
Height: 14 feet 3 inches
Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1830 “Twin Wasp” 
Range: 845 miles
Rate of Climb: 50,000 feet per minute
Maximum Flight Level: 39,500
Maximum Speed: 328 miles per hour
Armament: 6x .50in. machine guns  
2x 100-pound bombs
Crew: 1 Pilot

The Plane Behind the Toy

During the Second World War, the Grumman F4F was the U.S. Navy’s most utilized aircraft. By early 1942 every Navy fighter squadron flew Wildcats. Indeed, the F4F was the primary fighter plane for the U.S. Marine Corps during the War’s early years as well. The primary opponent that American Wildcat pilots faced was the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero, which was more maneuverable than the Wildcat. During World War II our British and French allies also flew the F4F Wildcat. The primary aircraft Wildcat pilots faced were Mitsubishi A6M Zeroes. The Mitsubishi Zero was a more maneuverable aircraft than the Wildcat but the rugged construction and excellent firepower, allowed Wildcat pilots to more than make up for this lack of maneuverability. Wildcats averaged almost 7 enemy planed downed for each Wildcat lost in combat.

By 1943 the Wildcat’s successor, the Grumman F6F Hellcat was ready to enter service. The Wildcat was not entirely replaced by the Hellcat however. The Navy still flew Grumman Wildcats from convoy escort carriers. Indeed, Grumman received more praise than any other aircraft manufacturer from the U.S. Armed Forces during the Second World War. Undeniably, an impressive feat.

Butch O’Hare: An American Hero

During World War II, Edward H. “Butch” O’Hare, the Navy’s first Ace, flew this plane as a member of Flight Squadron 3 (VF-3). For his “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in aerial combat,” O’Hare would be awarded the Medal of Honor. Four years after the war in 1949, Chicago renamed the Orchard Field Airport the O’Hare International Airport in his honor. In fact, today you can see a restored Wildcat, which was rescued from the bottom of Lake Michigan in Terminal 2 of O’Hare.

On this Cobi Wildcat building block set, number 5731, if you look closely, you can see Felix the Cat, the iconic cartoon cat, carrying a bomb. Felix was adopted by Squadron VB-2B, a previous designation of VF-3, in 1928. In July of 1943, VF-3 and VF-6 changed designations, which led to a 3-year fight over who Felix the Cat rightly belonged to as a mascot. In addition to the unit’s mascot emblem, there are five Imperial Japanese flags, one each for the five enemy bombers shot down.

Did You Know?

To bring the landing gear up in the Wildcats, they had to be hand cranked, not unlike rolling up a window like you had to do in cars.

About Us

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