Air Power Series>1:32 die-cast display model>F6F>HA0305

General Background

The F6F Hellcat was basically designed as the "Zero Killer". It could fly about an average 55 mph faster than the Zero and it was heavier and more powerful than the Zero. The Hellcat also had the highest kill ratio of any American fighter plane during WWII (19 to1). US Navy pilots referred the Hellcat as the "Aluminum Tank".

The Aircraft

One of the best kept secrets of WWII was the Ulithi Atoll of the Caroline Islands. Early 1945 saw almost 200 battleships, cruisers, destroyers, carriers and hundreds more supply ships anchored there to make it possible for the U.S. to advance across the Pacific toward Japan. On May 30, 1945 Falalop Island became the new home for the VMF(N)-541 “Bat Eye Squadron” protecting the fleet anchored there. Morale became so low that the 541 was the first war time Marine unit permitted to paint nose art on their aircraft.

Specifications :

Total production :	F6F-3 (4,403), F6F-5 (7,870)
Powerplant :	Single 2,000-horsepower 18-cylinder, Pratt and Whitney R-2800-10W air cooled radial engine
Climb rate to 14,000 ft. :	6 minutes 42 seconds
Armament :	six .50-caliber M2 Browning machine guns a 2,000 lb. bomb load, or six 5-inch rockets
Wingspan :	42 ft. 10 in. (13.1 m)
Length :	33 ft., 7 in. (10.2 m)
Height :	13 ft., 1 in. (4.0 m)
Weight :	9,238 lb. empty
Maximum speed :	380 mph at 23,400 ft.
Ceiling :	37,300 ft.
Range :	945 miles