Loading rocket onto Hellcat Ordnance Test Station Harvey Field 1944
The wing center section of the F6F Hellcat was a key structural component that contributed significantly to the aircraft’s overall toughness, especially in the rigorous environment of carrier operations. Here’s a detailed look at the wing and surface control structure:
Wing Center Section
- Central Role: The wing center section was among the strongest parts of the Hellcat. It connected the fuselage, outer wing panels, main landing gear, catapult hooks, and jack points, forming a structural hub for the aircraft.
- Forward Spar: The backbone of this section was the forward spar, a sturdy beam that spanned 150 inches across the aircraft, from side to side. This spar was slanted backward, allowing the proper tilt axis for the folding wings, and it also supported the main gear struts.
- Secondary Spar: A second spar, located behind the forward one, provided additional support for the rear of the wing and the inboard flaps. Both spars helped to form the wing’s shape, assisted by ribs and stringers covered in stressed Alclad skin.
- Anti-Skid Walkways: Reinforced walkways lined with trimite carborundum-covered anti-skid cloth were placed near the fuselage on top of the wing center section for safe movement by the deck crew.
Outer Wings
- Wing Components: The outer wing panels housed the fighter’s guns, ammunition, outboard flaps, and ailerons. Other elements like navigation lights, an electrically heated pitot tube on the right wing, and an approach light on the left wing were also integrated into the wing structure.
- Spar Design: The outer wings were constructed similarly to the center section, with a slanted front spar, a rear spar, and an aileron support spar or “rib intercostal member”. These spars, along with the ribs and stringers, provided the structure for the wings.
- Wingtip: Each wingtip was created as a separate piece and attached to the outer end of the wing during assembly.
- Hinged Folding Mechanism: At the inner edge of the forward spar, a cap linked to the corresponding plate on the center wing section, creating the hinge for the folding wings. The aft spars were equipped with latching mechanisms to lock the wings in place during flight.
Surface Controls
- Flaps and Ailerons: The Hellcat’s wings were equipped with flaps and ailerons for controlling the aircraft’s speed and maneuverability:
- Flaps: Both the center and outer wing sections had portions of the flaps, which were critical for slowing the aircraft during landings. The inner flaps were made of metal, while the outer flaps were fabric-covered to reduce weight. A hydraulic actuator moved the flaps using a torque arm, and hinges held them in place.
- Ailerons: Mounted on the outer wing panels, the ailerons allowed the aircraft to roll by responding to side-to-side movements of the pilot’s control stick. Like the flaps, the ailerons had fabric-covered surfaces to reduce weight and allow damage tolerance, as bullets or shrapnel would pass through the fabric, leaving them still functional.
Ammunition and Weaponry
- The outer wings also housed the guns and ammunition. The machine gun barrels were mounted between the spars, extending through holes in the forward spar, while mounting posts for rockets were integrated into the wing structure, allowing the Hellcat to carry additional armament for combat.
In essence, the Hellcat’s wing design played a pivotal role in its strength and versatility, enabling it to excel in carrier operations and aerial combat. The combination of robust materials, carefully designed spars, and control surfaces provided a perfect balance between durability and maneuverability.