Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1104 Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat Alexander Vraciu

Background for Alexander Vraciu Alexander Vraciu born in Indiana, started flight training in late 1941 earned wings in August 1942. First assigned to VF-3, he downed his first aircraft in October 1943. June 20, 1944 brought his nineteenth and final kill. Alex also destroyed 21 aircraft on the ground and one merchant ship. Known as “Grumman’s Best Customer” he survived two carriers being torpedoed, ditched twice and two parachute jumps. He was shot down in December 1944 and returned to the US where he remained as a test pilot. Post war, he commanded VF-51.

F6F-3 The Hellcat made its combat debut August 1943 and in two years carrier based F6Fs are credited with downing 4,947 aircraft. If land based and Marine Hellcat kills are added it brings the total to 5,156, an incredible figure. This total represents 80% of all kills giving a kill-to-loss ratio of 19 to 1 another outstanding achievement. By Spring 1944 there were a total 4,403 F6F-3s built. Often referred to as the “Aluminum Tank” it was also aptly called “The Ace Maker” because of men like Vraciu and McCampbell.

F6F-3 Specifications Total production: F6F-3 (4,403)

Power-plant: 1 x 2000hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10 Double Wasp 18 cylinder air cooled radial engine Armament: six .50-caliber M2 Browning machine guns a 2,000 lb. bomb-load, or six 5- inch rockets Wingspan: 42 ft. 10 in. (13.1 m) Length: 33 ft., 7 in. (10.2 m) Height: 13 ft., 1 in. (4.0 m) Weight: 9,238 lb. empty Maximum speed: 380 mph at 23,400 ft. Ceiling: 37,300 ft. Climb rate: to 14,000 ft. 6 minutes 42 seconds Range: 945 miles

Hobby Master HA1104 Masterfully made, Hobby Master proudly presents this reproduction of the F6F-3 Hellcat. This airplane scored 80% of all air-to-air victories in the Pacific during WW II. Great efforts were made to deliver a “life like” model that you would be proud to display with the best in your collection. Continuing with their options policy Hobby Master supplies various accessories such as interchangeable canopies and rockets that you get to add or leave off the model. Detailed, meticulously painted and an exceptional price makes this an outstanding value.

THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES NOT THE RETAIL VERSION