Hobby Master Archive

Specifications for Grumman Hellcat Mk. I (the equivalent of the F6F-3)

Manufacturer - Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation Role - single-seat ship-borne fighter also used as a fighter-bomber and/or night fighter First joined FAA squadrons - August 1943 Engine - 1 X Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10w / 2,173 hp Dimensions Wing span - 42.8 ft (13.06 m) Wing area - 334 sq ft (31.03 sq m) Length - 33.6 ft (10.24 m) Height - 13.1 ft (3.99 m)

Weights Empty - 9,154 lb (4,152 kg) Maximum - 14.205 lb (6,443 kg)

Performance Speed - Maximum 380 mph (611 km/h) Initial climb rate - 3,250 ft/min (990 m/min) Ceiling - 37,400 ft (11,400 m) Maximum range - 1,305 miles (2,100 km)

Armament 6 X forward firing 0.5 in Browning machine guns in the wings / 400 rounds per gun Optional 6 X rockets mounted under the wings up to 2,000 lb of bombs Squadron supplied - 700, 703, 706, 709, 721, 723, 725, 735, 748, 756, 757, 759, 760, 768, 771, 778, 781, 787, 787X, 800, 804, 808, 881, 885, 889, 891, 896, 898, 1839, 1840, 1844, 1847

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1111 Grumman Hellcat Mk. I JV104, 885 Squadron, HMS Ruler “Lt. Colin J. Campbell” June 1945

THESE ARE ONLY PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES NOT THE FINAL PRODUCT

The Hellcat first showed up in August 1943 and it soon proved itself as a “Fighter”. The Hellcat took part in some of the toughest air battles and racked up an impressive achievement by downing 75 percent of all enemy aircraft in the entire conflict. With a total of 5,156 kills this worked out to be a 19:1 ratio and 307 Hellcat pilots became Aces. During one particular week the Hellcats managed to destroy 400 Japanese aircraft.

Under the Lend-Lease Act the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm received 252 Hellcat I’s that were the equivalent of the F6F-3. The FAA’s Hellcat’s operated in the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific aboard both Assault Carriers and Fleet Carriers. Newly equipped with Hellcat I’s and II’s the 885 Squadron was assigned to HMS Ruler in December 1944. Their task was to join the British Pacific Fleet and provide fighter cover. In June 1945 the 885 disembarked at US Navy base on Ponam, Papua New Guinea. The aircraft were refitted to carry rockets but before they could use them VJ-Day took place and the 885 Squadron was disbanded in September 1945.

Die-cast metal.

Superb detailing in 1/72 scale.

Pre-painted with pad applied markings.

Comes with pilot figure.

Fully assembled.

Display stand included.

Option to display model with wheels up or down.

Minimum use of plastic.

Very collectable.