Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F6F>HA1108

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 Hellcat could carry two 1,000 pound bombs with its most destructive weapons being six 5-inch HVAR's (High Velocity Aircraft Rockets). It could also carry a torpedo under the fuselage but this was never seen in combat. When it was all over the F6F was one of the most feared and successful planes in WWII.

The Aircraft

On June 15 1944 Fighting Squadron One (VF-1) downed 20 Zeros. June 19 1944 at the Battle of the Philippine Sea they downed 37 more with 2 definite and one probable kills going to Lt. William C. Moseley. On the 19th Moseley’s aircraft 41438 was so damaged that after landing the plane was pushed over the side of the ship. The replacement aircraft 41090 didn’t have the “High Hatters” emblem painted on the sides when Moseley was shot down on July 4, 1944 while flying over the Bonin Islands and listed as KIA.

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
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