F6F Hellcat | World War Photos

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: Hellcat Mk I FN327 at RAF Station Wittering

: USS Yorktown CV-10 May 9, 1945 crash of an F6F-5 Hellcat #9 of VF-9.

: F6F-5 white 23 of VF-9 USS Lexington (CV-16)

: Pilot escaping from burning F6F-5 white 23 VF-9 USS Lexington. Pilot Ens. Ardon R. Ives, 25 February 1945

: F6F-5 white 23 from VF-9 USS Lexington (CV-16) – 25 February 1945

: F6F-5 white 23 from VF-9 USS Lexington (CV-16) – 25 February 1945 2

: Burning F6F-5 white 23 from VF-9 USS Lexington (CV-16) – 25 February 1945

: Burning F6F-5 white 23 from VF-9 USS Lexington (CV-16) – 25 February 1945 2

: Grumman F6F-3 in flight, May 1943

: F6F-5 Hellcat code 5-F-1 of the VF-5 in fight 1945

: Night Grumman F6F-5E Bu.No. 70678 at NATC 18 October 1944

: Prototype XF6F-6 Hellcat

: Grumman F6F-5E in flight

: The unpainted XF6F-3 Hellcat Bu.No. 02982 June 1942

: Grumman F6F-3 in flight 1943

: Prototype of Hellcat: XF6F-1

: Night fighter F6F-5N “7-6”

: F6F-3 Hellcats of VF-8 in flight 1943

: Brand new F6F-3 123 in flight

: F6F-5 white 32 and 74 of VF-12 onboard USS Randolph CV-15 1945

: crashed Grumman Hellcat of 804 Squadron FAA

: Mechanics work on an F6F Hellcat Minsi II USS Essex CV-9 Saipan on July 30 1944

: F6F-5 Hellcat white 49 of VF-6 carrier USS Hancock CV-19 April 21, 1945

: Grumman F6F Hellcats on the flight deck

: Flight deck personnel attend to a wounded pilot of VF-19. F6F-5 Hellcat 22 USS Lexington CV-16 – Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 24, 1944

: F6F Hellcat 17

: F6F-5 Hellcat firing a Tiny Tim at NOTS China Lake November 6 1945

: Grumman F6F Hellcat 853 Peleliu Island

: Hellcats Prepare for Take Off from Carrier for Raid on Tarawa 1943

: F6F of Fleet Air Arm Hellcat Mk II on deck of HMS Ameer

: F6F-3 Hellcat 28 of VF-1 after engaging the barricade on the flight deck of the carrier USS Hornet CV-12 Battle of the Philippine Sea on June 19, 1944

: Pilots of VF-83 by F6F-5 Hellcat 111

: Hellcat Mk I FN355, October 1943 USA

: F6F of Fleet Air Arm Hellcats Mk II Ready for Take Off from Carrier

: F6F Hellcat 35 of VF-6 on board the carrier USS Intrepid CV-11 February 1, 1944

: F6F-5N Hellcat F(N)59 of VMF(N)-541 Peleliu 1944

: F6F of Fleet Air Arm Hellcat Mk II on deck of HMS Ameer 2

: F6F-5P 135 of VF-84 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Bunker Hill CV-17 February 19, 1945 Iwo Jima

: USS Enterprise CV-6 after kamikaze attack that damaged the carriers Belleau Wood CVL-24 Franklin CV-13 October 30, 1944. Hellcat #64 in foreground.

: F6F-5 Hellcat 35 USS Yorktown

: F6F-3 Hellcat 27 of VF-1 launches from the hangar deck catapult on board the carrier USS Yorktown CV-10 June 3, 1943

: F6F Ace Pilots Coleman and Langdon of VF-83 aboard USS Essex 1945

: F6F Hellcat on fire on USS Ticonderoga

: F6F-5 Hellcats of VF-6 formation over Moanaloa Hawaii February 14,1945

: F6F-5 Hellcat 33 of the VF-23 USS Langley – April, 11 1945

: F6F-5 Hellcats of VF-80 prepare to launch from the aircraft carrier Ticonderoga CV-14 November 6, 1944.

: F6F-3 Hellcat 26 of VF-15 USS Hornet CV-12 January 22, 1944

: The 10,000th Hellcat 76 produced by Grumman after delivery to VBF-87 USS Ticonderoga CV-4 June 5, 1945

: F6F-3 Hellcat white 20, Ens Plant of VF-15

: F6F Hellcat 136 aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga CV-14 August 19, 1945

: F6F Hellcat Ace Alex Vraciu. February 1944

: F6F-5 Hellcat D10 of VF-40 launches from the flight deck of the escort carrier Suwanee CVE-27 August 30, 1945

: F6F-3 Hellcat 21 of VF-15

: F6F-5N Hellcat 21 of VF(N)-90 Bats in flight during World War II

: USS Lexington CV-16 March 23, 1944 Hellcats of VF-16 and SBD Dauntless of VB-16

: F6F-5 Hellcat of VF-20 launches from the carrier Lexington CV-16 January 25, 1945

: Crashed Hellcat Mk II JW723 6G

: F6F-5 Hellcat of VF-7 on the flight deck of the carrier USS Hancock CV-19 January 12, 1945

: F6F-3 Hellcat 27 of VF-7 before launching from the flight deck of the carrier USS Hancock CV-19 June 27, 1944

: F6F-5N Hellcat 24 of VF(N)-90 burns on the flight deck of the carrier USS Enterprise CV-6 – April 1945 Okinawa

: F6F-5N Hellcat of VF(N)-90 USS Enterprise CV-6 after kamikaze attacks against the carrier May 14, 1945

: F6F Hellcats #00 #32 of VF-5 USS Yorktown

: F6F-3 after landing aboard the USS Ticonderoga 1944

: F6F-5 Hellcat #134 in flight, USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) Okinawa Invasion

: Flight deck crewmen on board USS Essex prepare to remove LT J.J. Collins from his Hellcat after he crash-landed

: F6F-5 Hellcat S73 of VBF-11 escort carrier USS Takansis Bay CVE-89 August 11, 1945

: F6F Hellcats color photo

: F6F Hellcat Ready for Takeoff from Carrier for Raid on Wake Island October 1943

: F6F Yorktown CV-10 Iwo Jima February 19, 1945

: USS Wasp CV-18, USS Yorktown CV-10, USS Hornet CV-12 and USS Hancock CV-19 anchored in Ulithi Atoll as seen from the carrier USS Ticonderoga CV-14 on 2 December 1944. Hellcats 39 and 12 in foreground.

: F6F-3 Hellcat 33 of VF-5 on its nose after engaging the barricade USS Yorktown CV-10 March 31, 1944

: VBF-16 Personnel By F6F Hellcat

: USS Antietam CV-36 F6F of Air Group 89 ready for launch of April 17, 1945

: F6F-3 Hellcat flown by Lieutenant (jg) A. Magee of VF-25 streams flame as it approaches the carrier USS Cowpens CVL-25 – November 20, 1943

: F6F-3 Hellcat 5 of VF-50 after launching from the deck of the carrier USS Bataan CVL-29, January 1944

: F6F Hellcat #8 of the VF-17, USS Hancock lands on water July 6, 1944 4

: F6F-5N Hellcat 92 of VMF(N)-511 on board the escort carrier USS Block Island CVE-106, Okinawa May 19, 1945

: F6F-3 Hellcat 11 of VF-2 on the catapult on board the carrier USS Hornet CV-12 May 6, 1944

: US Hellcat fighter flying off the deck of HMS Emperor. Hellcat of 800 Squadron (foreground)

: Hellcats Mk I of No 1840 Squadron FAA Eglinton, Northern Ireland

: Lt. Magge Prepares to Land Burning F6F Hellcat on USS COWPENS 1944

: F6F Hellcats of VF-12 descends to the hangar deck on an aircraft elevator on board the carrier Saratoga CV-3 January 18, 1944

: F6F pilot exits cockpit after Kamikaze Attack on U.S. carrier 1945. Probably USS Randolph (CV-15).

: Marine F6F Fighter from MAG-45 Crash Landed 1944

: Group photograph of the VF-86 with one of their F6F-5 Hellcats on board the carrier Wasp CV-18 July 17, 1945

: F6F Hellcat 37 of VF-6 carrier USS Hancock CV-19 – February 14, 1945

: F6F-3 Hellcat 86-F-17 of VF-86 escort carrier Charger CVE-30 September 7, 1944

: F6F-5N Hellcat 29 of VMF(N)-511 taxiing on the flight deck of the escort carrier Block Island CVE-106 February 4, 1945

: WASP Women test pilots and F6F Hellcats

: F6F of Fleet Air Arm Hellcat Mk II pushed overboard of HMS Ameer

: F6F-5 Hellcat 59 of VF-53 on the flight deck of the carrier USS Saratoga CV-3 Iwo Jima on February 21, 1945

: F6F Hellcats 68, 69 of VF-85 USS Shangri La CV-38 in flight near Japan on August 17, 1945

: F6F I USS Sangamon CVE-26 February 26, 1945

: F6F-3 Hellcat Ace Alex Vraciu of VF-6

: British Hellcat Mk I

: F6F Hellcat during testing of JATO on board the escort carrier USS Altamaha CVE -8 March 1, 1944

: F6F Hellcats captains inspection

: An Honor Guard carries the flag draped body of a shipmate from the deck elevator in preparation for a burial at sea on board the carrier Bataan CVL-29 1945

: F6F of VF-5 USS Yorktown CV-10 color photo

: F6F Hellcats of VF-17 and VBF-17 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet CV-12 March 16, 1945

: VMF(N)-541 Hellcats with nose art, Falalop Island in Ulithi Atoll on May 30, 1945

: Lt Cdr Edward Outlaw waves from the cockpit of his F6F-3 Hellcat

: F6F after crash landing

: Lt Henry Rowland of VF-3 – USS Yorktown CV-10 damaged F6F Hellcat suffered during a strike against Tokyo in February 17, 1945

: British Hellcat Mk I October 1943

: F6F HMS Emperor 800 squadron

: F6F-3N Hellcat 319 on board the escort carrier USS Solomons CVE-67 Rhode Island November 18, 1944

: F6F damaged deck

: Lt(A) Alexander Macrae, RNZNVR ,1839 Sqn, crash landing on HMS Indomitable, March 26. 1945. Hellcat Mk II JX741

: F6F-5N Hellcat flown by Ensign Cole of VF(N)-42 after smashing into the island of the light carrier USS Bataan CVL-29 November 21, 1944

: F6F Hellcat Landing Practice Hawaii July 26 1945

: Gilbert Islands January 7, 1944 Hellcats of the VF-1 and B-25 Mitchell

: F6F-3 Hellcat 10 of VF-15 on final approach to the escort carrier USS Charger CVE-30 December 13, 1943

: Pilot Helped from Crashed Hellcat 1944

: F6F Hellcat of VF-25 before landing on board the light carrier USS Cowpens CVL-25

: formation of F6F-3 Hellcats of VF-1 in flight over Hawaii May 1944

: F6F-5 Hellcat on the flight deck

: F6F fighter landing

: F6F hellcat #16 USS Enterprise

: Burning F6F-3 Hellcat 30 of VF-2, USS Enterprise CV-6

: Pilot Swims from Sinking F6F Hellcat in Philippines 1945

: Ens Bob Nelson VF-20 Ace By F6F-5 Hellcat

: Hellcat of the HMS Emperor

: F6F-3 Hellcat light carrier USS Cabot CVL-28 July 19, 1944

: Captured Japanese F6F Hellcat code E-801, Japan 1945

: USS Langley CVL-27 March 1945 – tails of F6F Hellcats of VF-23

: Admiral Nimitzs Plane Landing on Tarawa Airfield 1943. F6F-3 Hellcat G32 in the foreground

: F6F-3 Hellcat of VF-6 light carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) September 9, 1943

: F6F Hellcat #8 of the VF-17, USS Hancock lands on water July 6, 1944 – 3

: Damaged of an F6F-5 Hellcat 69 carrier USS Enterprise CV-6 October 19, 1944

: F6F-5 Hellcats of VF-45 on board the light carrier San Jacinto CVL-30 – March 18, 1945

: F6F-3 Hellcat 38. Crew during morning exercises at sea USS Yorktown CV-10

: F6F Hellcats USS Franklin CV-13 October 1944

: F6F Hellcats of VF-8 on board the carrier USS Bunker Hill CV-17

: F6F-3 Hellcat 13 of VF-9 engages the barricade on board the carrier USS Essex CV-9 March 25, 1943brush

: F6F 81 of VF-8 Commander Shifley Ready for Takeoff from USS BUNKER HILL 1944

: F6F Hellcat 66 USS Enterprise

: F6F Hellcats USS Enterprise CV-6

: USS Kasaan Bay CVE-69 F6F Hellcats of VF-74 invasion of Southern France in August 1944

: F6F-5 Hellcats of VF-9 on board the carrier USS Lexington CV-16 on February 25, 1945

: F6F Hellcat #15 of VF-32 on the deck of the light carrier USS Cabot CVL-28 September 19, 1945

: F6F-3 Hellcats of VF-16 on board the aircraft carrier USS Lexington CV-16 April 16, 1944

: Grumman F6F 3 Hellcat 1943

: USS Essex CV-9 crew push F6F Hellcats of VF-15 forward 1944

: F6F-3 Hellcat of VF-1 lands at Tarawa Atoll on November 29, 1943

: Captured Japanese F6F E-801

: F6F Hellcat Mk II landing on HMS Ameer

: F6F-5 Hellcat D19 of VF-22 USS Takanis Bay CVE-89 July 30, 1945

: LSO on board the carrier USS Cowpens CVL-25 watches an F6F Hellcat of VF-25 November 20, 1943

: MAG-45 F6F-5N Hellcat and TBM Avenger Falalop Island on July 14, 1945

: F6F-5N Hellcat 9 of VF(N)-91 USS Bon Homme Richard CV-31 in flight over China September 12, 1945

: F6F-5 D11 in flight

: F6F Hellcat white 8 of the VF-17, USS Hancock lands on water July 6, 1944

: F6F-5 Hellcats of VF-45 carrier USS San Jacinto CVL-30 – March 21, 1945

: F6F-3 Hellcats of VF-8 on board the carrier USS Intrepid CV-11 – October 1943

: Damaged F6F-3 15

: British F6F HMS Ameer

: USS Bennington CV-20 crew push F6F-5 74 of VF-82 – February 1945

: F6F Hellcat 9 flying over burning Wakde Island USS Hornet 1944

: F6F Hellcat burning on deck of carrier USS Cowpens

: F6F Hellcat over board the auxiliary carrier USS Nassau ACV-16 – 1943

: F6F-3 Hellcat 24 of VF-9 on board the carrier USS Essex CV-9 April 5, 1943

Grumman F6F Hellcat – American fighter of World War II. A single-engine, single-seat low wing. One of the most famous airplanes taking part in battles in the Far East. Produced in the years 1942-1945 in the number close to 14 000 units (mainly versions of F6F-3 and F6F-5
The prototype fighter was developed by Grumman plant design team, which led the Leroy R. Grumman. The work lasted from the beginning of 1938 until 1941. Conceived as a development version of the F4F Wildcat fighter was supposed to be a response to comments received from the pilots flying these aircraft, but the magnitude of change was so significant that it led to the creation of a new structure.
Changes designed to improve range, speed, armament and armor included the installation of a more powerful engine, with the larger propeller, the use of a new chassis design, larger supply of fuel and ammunition. This caused a significant increase in weight has prompted manufacturers to use a slice of a larger wing area to achieve low unit value of the wing load.
The contract for the construction of the prototype was signed on June 30, 1941. A year later, June 26, 1942 made the first flight of the first prototype with engine Wright R-2600-16 Cyclone, which lasted 25 minutes and was successful. July 30, 1942, performed a flight on the second prototype marked with the symbol XF6F-3 with mounted 18-cylinder engine Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp.

Variants

F6F-3. The first production model aircraft of all-metal construction. He had a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10 with a capacity of 1491 kW (2028 hp), at the end of a series of Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W injected a maximum power of 1641 kW (2231 hp), 3-bladed propeller Hamilton Standard. Armament consisted of six machine guns Colt-Browning M2 12,7 mm mounted in the wings with a supply of ammunition, 400 pieces each. A total of 4402 F6F-3s were built including modifications F6F-3N, F6F-3E and F6F-3P.
F6F-3N. Modification version of the F6F-3 fight night, which is equipped with a radar antenna mounted in a gondola on the right wing. A total of 229 F6F-3Ns were built.
F6F-3E – night fighter sub-variant. Modification version of the F6F-3, which was equipped with a radar antenna mounted in an aerodynamic shield under the right wing. 18 of these planes were converted from standard F6F-3.
F6F-3P – standard F6F-3s fitted with camera equipment for reconnaissance duties. The airplane has a standard armament.
F6F-5 – produced from April 1944 with multiple modifications to the F6F-3. These included: engine Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W, improved canopy, additional armor plate, strengthening the rear part of the fuselage, install bomb racks and zero-length launchers for rockets, smoothing the surface. A total of 7868 F6F-5s were built including modifications F6F-5N F6F-5E and F6F-5P
F6F-5N – modification version of the F6F-5 to fight night, which is equipped with a radar antenna mounted in a gondola on the right wing. Total production: 1529 of F6F-5N and F6F-5E. Some F6F-5N were armed with two 20 mm AN/M2 cannons in the inner wing bays and four 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns in the outer.
F6F-5E – modification version of the F6F-5 to battle the night, equipped with radar antenna mounted in an aerodynamic shield under the right wing.
F6F-5P – standard F6F-5s fitted with camera equipment for reconnaissance duties.
F6F-3K and F6F-5K special modifications involving the installation of remote control devices for use airplanes as flying targets or controlled flying bombs.

British versions and FAA serials

Hellcat Mk I – F6F-3 (serials: FN320 – FN449, JV100 – JV221)
Hellcat Mk II – F6F-5 (JV222 – JV324, JW700-784, JW857-JW899, JX670-JX964, JX968 to JX999, JX775-JZ827, JZ960-JZ964, JZ968 – JZ994, KD118-152, KD158-160, KE118-KE119, KE170-214, KE220-KE265)
Hellcat NF Mk II – F6F-5N (JX965 – JX967, JZ890-JZ911, JZ947-JZ959, JZ965-JZ967, JZ995-999, KD108-117, KD153-157, KE160-169, KE215-219)

Bibliography

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