Grumman F6F Hellcat Fighter |
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F6F Hellcat to Replace F4F Wildcat
Hellcats with tri-color camouflage and insignia with white bar and red outline. This U.S. insignia was used from June to September of 1943. US Navy photo.
Prior to the United States entry into World War II, Grumman Aircraft Corporation was working on a design to replace the F4F Wildcat.
After the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, encounters with the Japanese Zero further sanctioned the need for a larger, faster, carrier-based fighter. The first Hellcats entered the war in September 1943.
Hellcat Against the Japanese Zero and German Aircraft
Landing crews on the USS Enterprise folding the wings on an F6F-3. More Hellcats are landing behind. US Navy photo.
Mass produced during World War II, the F6F Hellcat was larger than the Wildcat and used the more powerful 2000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine. The F6F had distinct advantages over the Japanese Zero including greater speed, better rate of climb, and armor.
Also in favor of the American pilots was the fact that a great number of Japanese pilots had been killed by the time the Hellcat was introduced, and the pilots who replaced them were poorly trained.
In British service (through Lend Lease) the Hellcat (once planned to be called the Gannet) performed well against the German Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Focke-Wulf Fw 190.
Armament on the Hellcat
6F-3N night fighter with AN/APS-4 radar. US Navy photo.
Armament usually consisted of six .50 cal. machine guns but later Hellcats carried up to 2000 pounds of bombs, and could be fitted for rockets. Wings were folded and spread manually and the aircraft accommodated only the pilot.
Variants of the Hellcat
Six variants of the Hellcat were designed during the course of the war and included night attack versions equipped with radar as well as a reconnaissance variant.
Hellcat Pilot and Aircraft Performance
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Over 300 US Navy pilots became aces while flying F6Fs during WWII. These included David McCambell, the leading WWII naval ace and winner of the Medal of Honor, and at least five Hellcat pilots who became aces during Pacific night fighting.
The F6F Hellcat fighter performed well during World War II, amassing an impressive record of downed enemy aircraft, as well as success as a bomber escort. Rugged and easy to fly, some Hellcats remained in service into the 1950s.
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Other F6F Hellcats on our website |
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| F6F-5 Hellcat - Palm Springs Air Museum Hellcat - Naval Aviation Centennial |
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* F6F Hellcat facts |
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|---|---|
| Category | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | Grumman |
| Introduced | 1943 |
| Used in WWII by |
United States Navy United States Marine Corps Royal Navy French Navy |
| Produced | 1942–1945 |
| Number built | 12,275 |
| Cruising speed | 160 mph |
| Max. speed | 400 mph |
| Altitude | 37,800 feet |
| Maximum Range | 1,800 miles |
| * Numbers are approximate | |