Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA1112 Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat VF-12, USS Randolph Lt. H. McWhorter III 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.

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.

The USN’s first Hellcat Ace was Lt. Hamilton “Mac” McWhorter. His first combat assignment was with VF-9 (Fighting Nine) flying an F4F Wildcat. When VF-9’s combat tour ended McWhorter’s next assignment was with VF-12 flying F6F Hellcats. He was on board the USS Randolph on February 16, 1945 and took part in the first carrier based raid on Tokyo and scored one Zero victory. McWhorter went on to score 11 more victories. He retired from the USN in 1969 and was inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame in 1989.

Specifications (F6F-5):

Engine: 2000hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W Double Wasp 18-cylinder radial piston engine Weight: Empty - 9150 lbs., Max Takeoff - 15,410 lbs.

Dimensions: Wing Span - 42ft. 10in. Length - 33ft. 7in. Height - 13ft. 6in.

Performance: Maximum Speed at 23,500 ft - 380mph Cruising Speed at 6,000 ft - 168mph Ceiling - 37,300 ft Range - 1,530 miles with 150-gallon drop tank Armament: 6 X 12.7mm (0.5 inch) wing-mounted machine guns 2 X 1,000-lb bombs, or six 127mm (5-inch) rockets