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F-6F Hellcat in Action (Aircraft 36) By Jim Sullivan

On June 30, 1941 a contract between the United States Navy and Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation was signed for two prototype fighters to be built. Soon to be named Hellcat, the XF6F-1 was the beginning of the second line of "Cats" to come out of the Grumman "Iron Works". Some have referred to the Hellcat as the F4F Wildcats big brother. There was an outward family appearance, but that's where the similarity ended. The design of the Hellcat was brand new, strongly influenced by the need for a powerful fighter to counter the Japanese air superiority of the Zero. Grumman loaded their F6F with the ingredients to be a killer. History proved them left as by the end of WWII, Hellcats claimed over 5,000 confirmed kills with a loss ratio of over 19 to 1. The F6F combined the ability to deliver withering firepower with excellent maneuverability and handling characteristics in all flying attitudes. Many a Naval Aviator owed his life to the structural strength Grumman built into the

Hellcat which permitted it to take substantial combat damage from Japanese guns and still return to friendly territory.

The XF6F-1 (02981) was first flown on June 26, 1942. It was apparent that the Hellcat was a potential winner. Grumman had installed a Wright R 2600-16 engine and a Curtiss electric 3-bladed prop which produced 1,600 HP at 2,400 RPM. It was armed with six 50 cal. Browning machine guns with 400 rounds of ammunition for each. The pilot had good visibility and armor plating for his protection. Although the performance of the XF6F-1 was obviously going to be superior to the F4F Wildcat even before the first flight was made, Grumman decided to make a change in the power plant, installing a Pratt and Whitney R 2800-10 Double Wasp in the second prototype, figuring on a 25% increase in performance.

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