NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Grumman F6F Hellcat is credited with more than 6,000 victories over Japanese aircraft. They downed over 160 enemy aircraft in a single day and accounted for 75% of all the aerial victories by U. S. airplanes in the Pacific. The aircraft accounted for more pilot aces than aces for
any other U.S. World War II aircraft; a total of 306.
When the F6F Hellcat first entered combat in August of 1943, it was formidable competition for the Japanese aircraft it encountered. While it could not turn with the Japanese aircraft at slow speeds, it was faster, had better climb and dive rates, and had better armor to protect the pilot, fuel tanks and other vital parts of the aircraft.
The Grumman F6F Hellcat initially flew from the aircraft carriers Essex, Independence, and Yorktown. Eventually it participated in operations throughout the Pacific including Leyte Gulf, the Philippines, the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands, and Truk.
The history of Grumman F6FHellcat development began as a more powerful replacement for Naval fighter aircraft. A prototype aircraft were
equipped with a 1,700 hp Wright R-2600 engine. However, by the time production started, all new aircraft employed a more powerful 2,000 hp Pratt and Whitney R-2800 engine. This engine provided the aircraft with performance that was superior to that of many Japanese fighter aircraft.
The Grumman F6F Hellcat was the main carrier launched fighter aircraft during the last two years of the
Pacific War. It was the primary U. S. Navy fighter used in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
A total of 12,275 Grumman F6F Hellcats were produced from June 1942 through November of
1945.
FOR SALE in the above ad is the Hangar 9 rc F6F Hellcat ARF.
It has a wing span of 64 1/2", a length of 52", and can be powered by a 60 - 78 two cycle or 1.00 four cycle engines. It comes with retracts already installed and weighs from 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 lbs.
You can get a short kit or plans for a rc F6F Hellcat from Brian Taylor Plans. It is 1/6 scale and has an 80" wing span.
The first picture below is the scratch built 105" wing span rc F6F Hellcat by John Fangohr. It has a glass fuselage, weighs 53 lbs. and is powered by a Quadra 100 engine.
Kit Cutters has a number of kits and plans for sale for the F6F Hellcat. Among them is a 64" wingspan model from Morgan / Novack Plans and a 85 1/2" wingspan rc airplane from Don Smith plans.
Mammoth Scale Plans will sell you their plans for a 1/5 scale rc F6F Hellcat. Wing span is 98" and recommended power is a Kawasaki 3.15 engine. All up weight is around 35 lbs.
Jerry Bates Plans has a 1/6 scale short kit or plans for a rc F6F Hellcat with an 80" wing span.
The second picture below is of the rc F6F Hellcat ARF for sale by Nitro Planes. It has a wingspan of 71", weighs about 10 lbs. and can be powered by .91 2c or 1.20 4c engines.
Nick Ziroli has plans for the giant scale 95" wingspan rc F6F Hellcat shown in the bottom picture on this page. It weighs from 32 to 43 lbs. and can be powered with a 3.7 - 5.8 c.i.d. engine.
Heritage RC makes a rc F6F Hellcat kit. It has a 57" wingspan, is made from balsa and ply, and weighs about 7 lbs. You will need from .45 to .50 two cycle
or from .60 to .90 four cycle engines for power.
Shenzhen Freewing Model Co., China, makes a rc F6F Hellcat ARF from foam. Its wingspan is 38 1/2" and its length is 31 1/2". It
comes with a 1250 kV motor and weight around 22 oz.
Their are plenty of rc F6F Hellcat models for sale out there. If you have a favorite, please email us about it.
Grumman F6F Hellcat
