World War II · Aircraft
Grumman F6F Hellcat
The Grumman F6F Hellcat was the dominant U.S. Navy carrier fighter of the second half of World War II and the aircraft that broke Japanese air power in the Pacific. First flown in 1942 and entering combat in 1943, it was designed with hard lessons from early fighting against the Zero in mind. Powerful, rugged, and easy to fly, the Hellcat was credited with the majority of U.S. Navy carrier air-to-air victories, downing thousands of enemy aircraft for relatively light losses and producing most of the Navy's aces.
It played the leading role in crushing Japanese aviation at the 'Great Marianas Turkey Shoot' during the Battle of the Philippine Sea. More than 12,000 were built in just over two years of production.
Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Grumman
- Type
- Carrier-based fighter
- Crew
- 1
- First Flight
- 1942
- Powerplant
- 1 x 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial
- Max Speed
- 380 mph
- Range
- 1,090 mi
- Service Ceiling
- 37,300 ft
- Length
- 33 ft 7 in
- Wingspan
- 42 ft 10 in
- Loaded Weight
- 15,400 lb (max)
- Armament
- 6 x .50 cal machine guns