Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series HA1105
Grumman F6F Hellcat Diecast Model
USN VF(N)-41, William Henry, USS Independence, 1944 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Grumman F6F Hellcat | | 5.75" | | 7.25" |
September 12, 1944 saw the introduction of the new F6F-5N's for VF(N)-41 flying from the deck of USS Independence CVL-23. There were 1,432 of the Night Fighter version built with APS-6 radar housed in a pod attached to the starboard wing. This provided pilots with a radar picture of another aircraft up to 5.5 miles away and a ship up to 20 miles. F6F-5N pilots had to undergo a rigorous 29 weeks of schooling where they would learn how to rely totally on their instruments since they would be flying at night in the dark with no visual reference for navigation or altitude. Originally armed with 6 .50 caliber machine guns, 3 per wing, some of the later versions came with 4 .50 caliber machine guns and 2 long barrel Hispano 20mm cannons that replaced the 2 inner .50 caliber guns. The Night Fighters were given strict orders that once they located a plane on radar they couldn't fire a shot until they could get close enough to identify the target as friend or foe. As it turned out most of the F6F-5N's flew daytime missions with other versions of the F6F. This would allow the radar equipped Hellcats to locate the enemy and guide their group towards them.The top USN Night Fighter ace was Lt. William E. Henry, Executive Officer (XO) of the VF(N)-41 squadron. He was credited with 6.5 nighttime and 4 daytime victories and the last victory for the USN F6F-5N.
Developed by Grumman to combat the Japanese Zero, the carrier-based F6F Hellcat was first flown on June 26, 1942. The Hellcat was a far more potent force than its predecessor, the Wildcat. It had increased fuel capacity, a low-mounted wing, wide landing gear, strengthened cockpit armor plating, and increased ammunition capacity. The big Double Wasp engine was set three degrees off the center axis, giving the aircraft a tail-down attitude in flight. Pilots' stories of "mostly holes where the airplane used to be" underscore the Hellcat's ability absorb unbelievable punishment and still return to the ship. © Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Hobby Master's 1:72 scale F6F Hellcat is constructed almost entirely from diecast metal, which gives it a nice, solid feel. It has crisp panel lines, a canopy that can be removed or displayed in the open position and a cockpit interior that features pad-printed dial and gauge instrumentation. There is also a removable center-mounted fuel tank and staged machine gun barrels with shell casing vents. Some variants have under-wing mounted rockets and bombs, night fighter versions feature radome mounted to the wing's leading edge and photo reconnaissance variants have a small camera port at the rear of the fuselage.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft.
Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.
© Copyright 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
