The US Navy's first monoplane retractable fighter built up a huge reputation at the onset of the Pacific campaign as a rugged, highly manoeuvrable, hard hitting little fighter. It was the only carrier fighter in the US Navy inventory until the Hellcat arrived in 1943,and it fought with distinction until Victory in 1945.

The Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm was a user from 1940 and the fighter was deployed in Escort Carrier duties throughout the war. It fought in the Indian and Arctic oceans, the North and South Atlantic, the Mediterranean, in the Pacific, in Africa and in Norway - in virtually every combat theatre.

TFC's Wildcat, N4845V and BuNo 86711, it also carried the Manufacturers No 5765, is recorded as having been owned by Dale Newton in Oregon from 1964 through until 1970. Its ownership from that date until it was acquired by Eric Mingledorf in 1975 is not known (unless of course YOU can tell us).

Eric picked the aircaft up in 1975 and it was displayed at the Chennault Air Museum in California for the next 17 years or so. The machine was restored by Yanks Air Museum and Steve Hinton at Fighter Rebuilders, Chino, over a long period. It flew for the first time in over 30 years on the 14th of January 1993, in the hands of Steve Hinton himself.

On completing the test flying schedule, the Wildcat was packed and transported by sea to the UK and to Duxford. The aircraft is the only example of its type flying today in Europe.