The Grumman F4F Wildcat is an American carrier-based fighter aircraft that entered service in 1940 with the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy. The British made the first use of the type in combat, initially as a base-defense fighter; later they operated it from escort carriers in the North Atlantic, and later still from fleet carriers, under the name Martlet.
By the time of Pearl Harbor the Wildcat was the best fighter available to the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and remained so until mid-1943. The disappointing Brewster F2A Buffalo remained in limited front-line and second-line service through much of 1942, but was withdrawn as soon as enough Wildcats became available.
