GRUMMAN F6F-3/5 USA HELLCAT
Scale: 1/72
Brand: ACADEMY
Item # 12481

Was kit #2121.

Of the 6,477 Japanese aircraft shot down by US Navy pilots in
World War II, 5,156 were accounted for by the F6F Hellcat. Prior
to its operational debut in 1943, the Navy Wildcats often were no
match for the nimble Japanese Zero-Sen.

The Hellcat, with its speed, armor and heavy armament changed all
that, becoming the dominant fighter of the era.

A total of 12,275 Hellcats of all varieties were manufactured
before production ceased in August 1945. Used in reserve
squadrons for many years after 1945, the Hellcats even served in
the Korean War as remote-controlled flying bombs against North
Korean ground targets.

The F6F-5 Hellcat, produced in larger number than any other
variant had a wingspan of 13.05 meters, a length of 10.23 meters
and a height of 3.99 meters. Its maximum speed was 380 mph at
23,400 feet ; landing speed was 88mph. The F6F was armed with six
50 cal machine guns or four 20mm cannon. Two 1,000 pound bombs
could be carried under the wings.