What is this thing?

Question

Ok i am a big fan of the F4F wildcat and I have always been wondering what this is? can someone tell me?

http://img65.imageshack.us/my.php?image=78276926zv9.jpg

http://img61.imageshack.us/my.php?image=65333979ro9.jpg

Answer 1

Dang I was going to say ram air intake to provide fuel tank positive pressure but I think aviapage got it this time. d**n.

Answer 2

You could try to contact the Evergreen Aviation Museum, They could tell you.

Answer 3

i don't know anything about airplanes but my best guess would be that its for something like air intake or stearing or something along the lines of the manuvaring or speed of the aircraft

Answer 4

That's the air intake scoop for the engine oil cooler, which is a thing like a small radiator.

On most radial engine airplanes, the oil cooler scoop is on the bottom of the fuselage right behind the engine, but that location is not suitable for the Wildcat because of the oddball main landing gear arrangement, which takes up so much space in the forward fuselage.

So in the F4F, the oil cooler is located in the left wing, and that scoop brings in air for the oil cooler.

Answer 5

Air Scoop for the engine lube-oil cooler radiator.

Answer 6

Looks a lot like an oil cooler air scoop to me. Looks to be the right size for the engine in this aircraft.

Answer 7

Your picture is of a model.  Do you have any pictures of the actual aircraft?  That would help quite a bit.

Answer 8

That's a air intake for vents The cockpit can get very hot and you need fresh cool air like A/C