World War Photos

F6F-3 with belly tank on deck of USS Yorktown (CV-10), October 1943

The Grumman F6F Hellcat was equipped with a variety of propeller systems throughout its development, each contributing to its performance and reliability. Here’s a breakdown of the key features of the propeller systems used in different versions of the Hellcat and how they affected the aircraft’s performance.

Propeller Systems of the Hellcat:

1. Standard Production Propeller:

   • Hamilton Standard Hydromatic three-bladed propeller.
   • Diameter: 13 feet 1 inch.
   • This propeller system was driven by the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine through a two-to-one reduction gear, ensuring the propeller operated at a safe and efficient speed despite the high RPMs of the engine.

   By comparison:

   • The Republic P-47B Thunderbolt had a smaller, four-bladed propeller with a 12-foot 2-inch diameter.
   • The Vought F4U-1 Corsair had a similarly large three-bladed propeller with a 13-foot 2-inch diameter.

2. Prototype Propellers:

   • Early prototypes of the Hellcat, specifically those equipped with the Wright R-2600 engine, were fitted with Curtiss Electric propellers.
   • These propellers had a problematic control mechanism that could unexpectedly shift to full high or low pitch, which could create dangerous situations during takeoff or flight. Fortunately, no accidents occurred during the period when these propellers were used.

3. Propeller Control Mechanism:

   • The pitch of the propeller blades on production Hellcats was controlled by the pilot using a lever in the cockpit, marked with a “P” on the throttle quadrant.
   • Pitch Range: The propeller blade pitch could vary from 26 degrees (lowest) to 65 degrees (highest).
   • The pitch control allowed pilots to adjust engine RPMs based on the flight situation. In combat, the pilot would typically decrease the pitch (increasing RPM) for better performance, especially during maneuvers.
   • The hydraulic governor located on the front of the engine managed the propeller’s pitch, providing precise and responsive control to the pilot.

4. XF6F-6 Experimental Version:

   • The XF6F-6 Hellcat, an experimental variant that featured a more powerful R-2800-18W engine, used a four-bladed Hamilton Standard propeller.
   • These blades were essentially similar to those used in the standard three-bladed versions but offered a different configuration to handle the increased power of the engine.

5. Spinner Removal:

   • The prototype Hellcat aircraft initially featured large, streamlined spinners on their propellers to improve aerodynamics. However, these were deemed impractical for operational use and were removed from production models, which only retained a small hub at the propeller’s center.

Operational Performance:

The use of the Hamilton Standard Hydromatic propeller in combination with the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine gave the Hellcat robust performance, particularly in terms of acceleration, speed, and climb rate. Pilots could finely tune the propeller pitch for optimum performance, whether for cruising at high altitudes or for high-speed dogfights.

The propeller’s ability to handle the powerful output of the R-2800 engine, while being reliable and adaptable to different flight conditions, was one of the key factors that made the Hellcat such a formidable and versatile fighter in the Pacific Theater.