Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F6F>HA1116

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

White 71 is the F6F-5 flown by the noted USN pilot Lt. Leo Bob McCuddin. In April 1944 he was assigned to VF-20 "Jokers" onboard the "Big E" USS Enterprise and was credited with 5 victories while with the "Jokers". Between October 24th and 25th, 1944 during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, he participated in the attack on a Japanese battleship and in the sinking of an escort destroyer. VF-20 completed its tour of duty in January 1945 with a total of 158 victories.

Specifications :

Engine:	2000hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W Double Wasp 18-cylinder radial piston engine
Weight:
Empty:	9150 lbs.
Max Takeoff :	15,410 lbs.
Dimensions:
Wing Span:	42ft. 10in.
Length :	33ft. 7in.
Height:	13ft. 6in.
Performance:	Maximum Speed at 23,500 ft - 380mph
	Cruising Speed at 6,000 ft - 168mph
Ceiling:	37,300 ft
Range:	1,530 miles with 150-gallon drop tank
Armament :	6 X 12.7mm (0.5 inch) wing-mounted machine guns
	2 X 1,000-lb bombs, or six 127mm (5-inch) rockets