The F6F Hellcat became the ultimate Pacific aerial Predator of WWII, with a victory ratio of 19 to 1.
The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot
June 1944 Prior to the United States entering World War II, the American Volunteer Group (AVG) flying Curtiss P-40s against the Japanese in China learned to respect the Japanese Zero Fighter. The US built aircraft were generally faster in a dive, heavier and better armed. So they developed tactics utilizing the strengths of their aircraft gaining altitude and swooping down on the Zero, unleashing a quick burst of fire before diving away, Thise who tried to dogfight with the Zero would usually not fair too well.
After Pearl Harbor, the US Navy Wildcat pilots did not heed this lesson and suffered against the Zero. Subsequently, with better defensive tactics, the Wildcat started to have success against the Zero, but if the US Navy were to take the fight to the Japanese and win they would require a fighter that could out-manoeuvre and out-fight the Zero.
Of the 6,477 Japanese aircraft shot down by the US Navy pilots in WWII, 5,156 were accounted to the F6F Hellcat. Prior to its operational debut in 1943 the Navy Wildcats were no match for the nimble Japanese Zero. The Hellcat, with its speed, armor and heavy armament changed all that, becoming the dominant fighter of the era.
Developed from the Grumman Wildcat, the XF6F-1 first flew in 1942 and entered service with the US Navy in March 1943 as the F6F-3 Hellcat. The aircraft fit the bill perfectly; it was more powerful, faster, better armed and better protected. The Hellcat could take plenty of combat damage, and with it's wide track under-carriage making it much easier to land back on the aircraft carriers. Many a US Navy pilot owes his life to the Hellcat bringing them back aboard almost regardless of the damage sustained by the aircraft.
Learn more about the Hellcat
For more information about the Hellcat and it's history be sure to check our aircraft bio for the F6F Hellcat.
1/48th scale Hellcat models
1/72th scale Hellcat model
Hellcats by Hobby Master
Hellcats by Corgi Classics
Hellcats by The Franklin Mint
Hellcats by IXO Models
Click here to view more products in the "Predators of the Skys" series.
Predators of the skies
by Corgi Classics Brand new for 2007, Corgi is pleased to bring you another dimension to our Aviation Collectibles range — Corgi Predators. Focusing on six of the most iconic aircraft military history has seen, these are the true predators of the skies. Each model comes with a booklet detailing the story behind the pilot, mission or squadron, plus the box is packed with technical information about the plane. If you collect any 12 of the 18 releases in the Predators range, send in the tokens found in each pack for a free display wallet to keep the story booklets in.
MILITARY AIRCRAFT 
