F6F-3 Hellcats in color
The Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat was the first major production version of the F6F series and played a key role in the U.S. Navy’s air superiority during World War II. It incorporated several upgrades over its predecessors, focusing on increased power, improved armament, and overall performance.
Grumman F6F-3 Specifications:
Powerplant:
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10 Double Wasp, 18-cylinder radial air-cooled engine
- Horsepower:
- 2,000 hp for takeoff
- 1,675 hp up to 5,500 ft (1,676 m)
- 1,625 hp at 16,750 ft (5,109 m)
- 1,550 hp at 22,000 ft (6,710 m)
- Propeller: Hamilton Standard three-bladed full-feathering propeller, 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m) in diameter
Fuel Capacity:
- Internal: 250 US gallons (946 liters)
- External: Provision for one 150 US gallon (568-liter) drop tank
Performance:
- Maximum Speed:
- Sea level: 312 mph (502 km/h)
- At 23,700 ft (7,229 m): 373 mph (600 km/h)
- At 25,000 ft (7,620 m): 388 mph (624 km/h)
- Climb Rate: 3,650 feet per minute
- Time to Altitude:
- 15,000 ft (4,575 m): 7.7 minutes
- 25,000 ft (7,625 m): 14 minutes
- Service Ceiling: 37,500 ft (11,438 m)
- Takeoff Distance: 453 ft (138 m) with a 15-knot wind
- Range:
- Normal range: 1,085 miles (1,745 km)
- With drop tank: 1,620 miles (2,606 km)
Weights:
- Empty: 9,023 lb (4,105 kg)
- Loaded: 12,186 lb (5,532 kg)
- Max Gross: 13,221 lb (6,002 kg)
Dimensions:
- Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.08 m)
- Folded Wingspan: 16 ft 2 in (4.93 m)
- Length: 33 ft 4 in (10.17 m)
- Height: 14 ft 5 in (4.40 m)
- Wing Area: 334 square ft (31.03 m²)
- Wheelbase: 21 ft 5 in (6.54 m)
- Undercarriage Track: 11 ft 0 in (3.36 m)
Armament:
- Six 0.50 in (12.7 mm) Colt-Browning machine guns mounted in the wings, with 400 rounds per gun
Production and Serial Information:
- First Flight: October 4, 1942
- Number Built: 4,402
- USN BuAer Numbers: 04775 through 04958, 08798 through 09047, 25721 through 26195, 39999 through 43137, and 65890 through 66244
The F6F-3 marked a significant leap in capability for carrier-based fighters. It featured a redesigned landing gear with smaller fairings and eliminated the spinner present on earlier prototypes. Additional improvements during production included the deletion of lower cowl flaps, streamlined gun fairings, and a straight aerial mast.
The Hellcat’s durability, firepower, and performance at high altitudes made it highly effective against Japanese aircraft, and it achieved an impressive kill ratio during its service in the Pacific Theater. The Hellcat would go on to dominate naval aviation, becoming one of the most iconic fighters of World War II.