F6F-3 HELLCAT

Historical Note:    Our F6F-3 Hellcat model aircraft is modeled and handcrafted using various high-quality grade materials by our renowned master craftsmen. Our F6F-3 Hellcat model aircraft is uniquely designed and manufactured using the latest innovations and techniques applied in the over-all manufacturing and operation process procedures. The model airplane’s parts including the fuselage, wings and glass cockpit are extremely accurate and precise based on the original. This model aircraft will fascinate anyone, aviation enthusiast and model aircraft collectors alike for its remarkable and exceptional quality. This elegant F6F-3 Hellcat model aircraft is definitely the perfect gift and collectible you would want to give to your friends and family.

Scale:    1:32
W/S:    16.0   inches, 
Lgth:   12.25   inches

Item Number:    TMC-AF6FT                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Price:    $169.95

Historical Note Cont'd:    The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a fighter aircraft descended from the earlier F4F Wildcat, but was a completely new design sharing only a familial resemblance to the Wildcat.  Some tagged it as "Wildcat's big brother".  The name Hellcat was eventually retained in early 1943 for the sake of simplicity.

The Hellcat proved to be the most successful aircraft in naval history, destroying 5,171 aircraft in service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, plus 52 with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm during World War II. 

The first production aircraft off the line, designated F6F3s, flew on October 3, 1942 with the type reaching operational readiness with VF-9 on USS Essex i February 1943. 

Two night fighter subvariants of the F6F-3 were also developed.  The F6F-3E, converted from standard -3 frames, featured the AN/APS-4 radar in a fairing in the starboard wing.  The later F6F-3N, first seen in July 1943, was fitted with the AN/APS-6 radar in a similar fairing.  Hellcat night fighters had their first action in November 1943.

The first real test of the F6F-3 against the Zero came a few months later in December when a groupof about a hundred Hellcats ripped into a like number of Japanese planes of which half were Zeros.  In the ensuing battle, 28 of the Zeros were splashed for a total loss to the Hellcats of 3 planes.

Many U.S. Navy pilots had good cause to refer to the Hellcat as the "Aluminum Tank".  With its six.50 caliber Browning M2 machine guns, it could spit out a veritable hail of destruction which no Japanese adversary could hope to survive. After the war, Japanese pilots related their fear and dread each time they were engaged by the Hellcat. 

The Hellcat aircraft was rapidly phased out of front line service, retiring in 1954 as a night-fighter in composite squadrons.