F6F-5 Hellcat US Navy, "Jolly Rogers" White 50, VF-17, USS Hornet, 1945

Features
Optional see-through cowling
Folding wings        Rotating metal propeller
Sliding canopy        Interchangeable undercarriage
Rolling wheels        Removable center-line fuel tank
2 Bombs under fuselage, one on each side of fuel tank
6 Rockets, 3 under each wing        Realistic looking pilot

Dimensions
Length - 12.4 in   (315.5 mm)
Open Wingspan - 16 in   (410 mm)
Width When Wings Folded  - 6.6 in   (168.8 mm)
Height - 4.43 in   (112.5 mm)
Height To Top Of Folded Wings - 4.6 in   (116.5 mm)

Weight - 2.8 lb (1.28 kg)

In 1942-43 the F4U program was bogged down with delays and the USN needed a top notched
carrier-based fighter. The Grumman F6F-5 was exactly what they were looking for with the first
production model flying in October 1942 and 12,274 Hellcats built by the end of the war. In terms
of size, the Hellcat was the second largest single engine fighter of the war, being just slightly
smaller than the Republic P-47 "Thunderbolt".


From March 18 – 21 1945 Grumman F6F-5 Hellcats of VF-17 "Jolly Rogers" were aboard the
USS Hornet. On March 19, 1945 VF-17 Hellcats encountered and destroyed twenty Japanese
Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden-kai (George) with the loss of six Hellcats. During March and April of
1945 VF-17 downed a total of 146 aircraft and was involved in supporting attacks on Iwo Jima,
Okinawa and the Battleship Yamato. Fifteen VF-17 pilots became Aces, more than in any other
Pacific fighter unit.


Specifications (F6F-5):
Engine:
2000hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W Double Wasp
18-cylinder radial
piston engine
Weight:
Empty 9150 lbs.,
Max Takeoff 15,410 lbs.
Dimensions:
Wing Span: 42ft. 10in.
Length: 33ft. 7in.
Height: 13ft. 6in.
Performance:
Maximum Speed at 23,500 ft: 380mph
Cruising Speed at 6,000 ft: 168mph
Ceiling: 37,300 ft
Range: 1,530 miles with 150-gallon drop tank
Armament:
Six 12.7mm (0.5 inch) wing-mounted machine guns
Two 1,000-lb bombs, or six 127mm (5-inch) rockets