F6F-5N Hellcat 21 of VF(N)-90 Bats in flight during World War II
The F6F-5N was a highly successful variant of the Hellcat, with a total of 1,189 units produced. Similar to the F6F-3N, it was equipped with the AN/APS-6 radar in a fairing on the outer starboard wing. However, unlike the F6F-3N, the F6F-5N was fitted with improved cockpit lighting using red instrument panel lights and a flat windscreen to reduce cockpit glare. Additionally, the F6F-5N was equipped with a radar altimeter that provided exact height information, and an AN/APS-13 tail-warning radar that provided 60° coverage to the rear up to 2,400ft.
While all F6F-5s were capable of carrying an armament mix of one 20mm M2 cannon in each of the inboard gun bays with 220 rounds per gun, along with two pairs of 0.50in (12.7mm) machine guns, each with 400 rounds per gun, this configuration was only used on later F6F-5Ns. With a top speed of 360mph (579 km/h) at 18,000ft (5,486.4m) and a rate of climb of 3,100ft (944 m) per minute, the F6F-5N was a formidable aircraft that was well-matched against its opposition.