Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat

A plastic model of the Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat aircraft was glued from the Academy kit in 1:72 scale. Photo-etched parts were used to build the chassis and the cabin interior.

The Grumman F6F Hellcat was an American single-seater fighter-bomber adapted to service on aircraft carriers. The first flight was made on June 26, 1942. It was produced in the years 1942-1945. A total of 12,275 copies were made. About 1,300 units were purchased by Great Britain. The F6F-5 version was introduced in April 1944.

During World War II the Hellcats fought mainly in the Pacific region. In total, the Hellcats' pilots shot down 5,155 enemy aircraft and lost 270 own aircraft. In the USA, the Grumman F6F Hellcat was decommissioned in 1953.

An interesting fact is that at one stage of the war, the Grumman plants produced 20 planes a day, which was more than they were trained the pilots.

Specifications:

• Powerplant: 18-cylinder radial engine,
• Engine power: 2000 HP (1491 kW),
• Engine displacement: 45,9 liters (2801 in³),
• Engine diameter: 1,34 m (4.4 ft),
• Engine mass: 1073 kg (2366 lb),
• Max speed: 644 km/h (400 mph),
• Wingspan 13,06 m (42.85 ft),
• Length: 10,24 m (33.6 ft),
• Height: 3,99 m (13.09 ft),
• Take-off weight: 5631 kg (12,414 lb),
• Service ceiling: 10,970 m (35,991 ft),
• Range: 2460 km (1529 mi).

Armament:

• 6 guns cal. 12.7 mm (½ in),
• a bomb - 1814 kg (4000 lb),
• HVAR rockets.

Sources:

• https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_F6F_Hellcat
• http://www.samoloty.pl
• http://www.samolotypolskie.pl/samoloty/1127/126/Grumman-F6F-Hellcat2

11 Jun 2013