Hobby Master Archive

On April 4, 1944 the new F6F-5 took to the air. It was a much improved version of the F4F Wildcat. The designers gave the new plane a redesigned engine cowl for the engine that was now water-injected. The injection increased take off performance by 10% and increased the armament capabilities. Production of the F6F-5 lasted until November 1945 when Grumman had rolled out more than 900 “5”s. The UK received some of these aircraft under the Lend-Lease Act and they were designated Hellcat Mk. II. This plane was so lethal that it earned the nickname “Ace Maker” because of the large number of pilots that earned their 5 + victories while flying it. VF-27 F6F-5 Hellcat “Paper Doll” belonged to Lt. (jg) Robert Burnell but on October 24, 1944 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf was flown from the USS Princeton by Lt. Carl Brown Jr.. Brown and other aircraft intercepted Japanese aircraft heading for the U.S. Fleet and he managed to down 5 enemy aircraft. During the battle Brown and his aircraft were hit but he managed to land on the USS Essex since the USS Princeton was ablaze. “Paper Doll” was pushed in the sea to make room for all the extra aircraft that were recovering.