Grumman F6F Hellcat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids F6F Hellcat |
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| Grumman F6F-3 Hellcats in tricolor camouflage | |
| Role | Carrier-based fighter aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Grumman |
| First flight | 26 June 1942 |
| Introduction | 1943 |
| Retired | 1960 Uruguayan Navy |
| Primary users | United States Navy United States Marine Corps Royal Navy French Navy |
| Produced | 1942–45 |
| Number built | 12,275 |
| Unit cost | $35,000 in 1945 |
The F6F Hellcat was a United States Navy fighter aircraft made by Grumman during World War II. I t first flew in 1942 and was introduced in 1943. It was supposed to be a little bit better than the F4F Wildcat, but became a big improvement. It was more powerful and could turn better. It was made to fight the Japanese A6M Zero. It was able to take off of aircraft carriers. It was also used by the navy as a "night fighter", which means that a radar was put on it so it could fly at night. During the war, it had the most aces fly it. It was retired in 1954.
Notes
Images for kids
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The unpainted XF6F-1 prior to its first flight (1942)
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An early F6F-3 in blue-gray over light gull-gray (1943)
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An early-production F6F-5 being tested with eight 5-in HVAR rockets (c. 1944/45)
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A section of Fleet Air Arm Hellcat F Mk.Is of 1840 Squadron in June 1944
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Postwar service: A bright orange F6F-3K target drone
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XF6F-2 showing the later R-2800-21 installation with Birman turbocharger (1943)
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F6F-5N night fighter with AN/APS-6 radar and 2 20mm M2 cannon (c. 1944/45)
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Chino Warbirds' F6F-3 painted as a Fleet Air Arm Hellcat Mk. I (2007)
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F6F-5 on display at the Air Zoo
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