Grumman F6F-7 Super Hellcat ***Finished***

[Martin R]

The Hellcat was never intended to be the mainstay of the USN fighter force, as the F4U Corsair's performance was seen to give it a major advantage, however the ineradicable problems with the latter's deck landing performance prevented it from being fielded on even the large USN Fleet carriers. Even then, the need for a successor to the F6F-3 in advance of the advent of the F7F and F8F was not widely appreciated. However, despite the US blunting the advance of Imperial Japan in a series of major sea and land battles during late 1942 and early 1943, new and improved types were coming into service with both the Japanese Army and Navy, particularly the Ki-84 Hayate and A7M Reppu.

Pre-war Japanese naval attaches sent grave reports home regarding the awesome industrial potential of the US and Japan acted on these reports, developing a series of massive underground production facilities. They also developed advanced production methods, rewarding factory line workers for their ideas to improve efficiency of production and indeed design improvements. Their military was not exempt from changes, too. The recognition that pilot training needed expanding and improving was also acted on. The net result of these policies was an improvement in both quality and quantity of Japanese erial opposition in late 1943, together with increasing losses among Hellcat units. Grumman resolved to tackle the shortfall in key areas of Hellcat performance and developed an effective response in the Grumman F6F-7, conceived in a phenomenally quick time and deployed in combat for the first time in late 1944 . . ."


regards,

Martin

[Martin R]

I will be hacking away at an Eduard 1/72 F6F Hellcat; the weekend edition. Photos to follow.

regards,

Martin

[DavidWomby]

I'm intrigued by what this may look like.

David

[TobyC]

This going to be fascinating

[Jagewa]

Super Hellcat, larger smile at the front? Under side ball turret to take care of that blind spot?

[Martin R]

Super Hellcat, larger smile at the front? Under side ball turret to take care of that blind spot?

Initially, I was going to 'just' do a bubble canopy conversion, but my back story suggests that Grumman would have had to consider more extreme measures. Any ideas on what the donor kit will be?

regards,

Martin

[Stuart]

Super Hellcat, larger smile at the front? Under side ball turret to take care of that blind spot?

Initially, I was going to 'just' do a bubble canopy conversion, but my back story suggests that Grumman would have had to consider more extreme measures. Any ideas on what the donor kit will be?

regards,

Martin

why do I get the sense that the word Beaufighter or Mossie is heading toward this thread?

You can't just paint one blue and call it a super Hellcat ... well actually I guess you could!

[DavidWomby]

Super Hellcat, larger smile at the front? Under side ball turret to take care of that blind spot?

Initially, I was going to 'just' do a bubble canopy conversion, but my back story suggests that Grumman would have had to consider more extreme measures. Any ideas on what the donor kit will be?

regards,

Martin

How about a P&W R-4360 engine in a longer cowling to go with the bubble canopy?

David

[Jagewa]

How about a napier sabre engine? Do you still have the spares from the matchbox tempest?

[AndrewR]

Engine and canopy from a P47D bubbletop?

[TobyC]

Gull wings perhaps with a bubble canopy.

[splash]

Two hellcats joined together like they did with the Mustang?

[Martin R]

How about a napier sabre engine? Do you still have the spares from the matchbox tempest?

Yes, I do and I do remember once seeing a Bearcat whif with one. Looked great. However, I have a problem with this in that I don't believe that the USN would consider that a reliable powerplant for blue water operations.

The Bristol Centaurus on the other hand . . .

regards,

Martin

[Martin R]

Two hellcats joined together like they did with the Mustang?

Oooh, I like that idea! Only problem is, how do you get it on and off a carrier?

[Martin R]

Gull wings perhaps with a bubble canopy.

Bubble canopy: check!

Gull wings: nope!