Grumman F6F "Hellcat"
Model Airplane News Cover Art for January, 1944
by Jo Kotula
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Grumman F6F "Hellcat" Fighter
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The Hellcat was designed in the spring of 1942, as it became apparent that the Japanese Zero outclassed American fighters in speed an turning. (The Zero had no armor and was vulnerable once the American pilot got behind it) The Hellcat flew for the first time in June 1942 and it waas first reported in action with a US Carrier Task Force in an attack on Marcus Island in September of 1943, flying from USS Yorktown.

The Hellcat differed from its predecessor with an improved windshield, new ailerons, strengthened tail surfaces, additional armour behind the pilot and a waxed high-gloss skin finish. It could also carry two 454kg bombs under the centre-section or drop-tanks. It was equipped to carry rocket projectiles and search radar. The 10,000th Hellcat was delivered to the US Navy in March 1945 and final production amounted to 12,275. Interestingly the Hellcat was the only US aircraft designed and built after Pearl Harbor to be produced in this quantity and proved one of the most significant fighters flown in World War II, achieving a major victory against the Japanese in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. It was also flown by the Royal Navy as the Hellcat I and II.

Here is a video of a Hellcat in action:

In addition to the cover of Model Airplane News, this airplane was also featured in the WINGS "Friend or Foe" trading card series of the early 1950s

Trading card representation of the Grumman F6F "Hellcat"
Click Here to see all 200 cards in the series
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Click Here for more information about the Grumman F6F "Hellcat".

Kids were very enamored of building models of the Hellcat because it was in the news every day, especially after the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot" in which Hellcats (mostly..) downed more than 400 Japanes planes in one day.

  

Cleveland Model of the Grumman Hellcat Fighter
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You can buy the plans and patterns that will enable you to make this model right now. Click Here to go to the exact location on the Cleveland Website to get them.

  

The Grumman Hellcat at the Cleveland Site
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