Grumman F6F Hellcat

E76251

The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a rugged American World War II carrier-based fighter aircraft renowned for its pivotal role in securing air superiority in the Pacific Theater.

Aliases (2)

Statements (49)
Predicate Object
instanceOf carrier-based fighter aircraft
single-seat fighter aircraft
achievedAirVictories over 5,000 enemy aircraft
airframeMaterial all-metal
armament 6 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns
countryOfOrigin United States
crew 1
designedFor air superiority
carrier operations
designedToCounter Mitsubishi A6M Zero
engineConfiguration single radial engine
engineType Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp
exportedTo United Kingdom NERFINISHED
firstFlightDate 1942-06-26
hardpoints underwing and centerline hardpoints for bombs and rockets
height approximately 13 ft 1 in
introducedIntoService 1943
launchMethod catapult-assisted takeoff from aircraft carriers
length approximately 33 ft 7 in
manufacturer Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
maxSpeed approximately 380 mph
approximately 611 km/h
navalService United States Navy carrier air groups
notableFeature excellent climb and dive performance
good pilot protection
rugged construction
numberBuilt over 12,000
powerplantCount 1
primaryTheaterOfOperations Pacific Theater
primaryUser Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm
United States Marine Corps
United States Navy
productionPeriod 1942–1945
range approximately 1,090 mi
approximately 1,750 km
recoveryMethod arrestor hook carrier landings
retiredFromUSNService 1954
role fighter
fighter-bomber
RoyalNavyDesignation Gannet
serviceCeiling approximately 37,300 ft
takeoffAndLanding tailwheel-type landing gear
usedInConflict World War II
variant F6F-3
F6F-5
F6F-5N night fighter
F6F-5P photo-reconnaissance
wingConfiguration low-wing monoplane
wingspan approximately 42 ft 10 in


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