Hobby Master 1/72 - Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat VF-12, USS Randolph 1945 "Lt. H. McWhorter III"

Hobby Master 1/72 - Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat VF-12, USS Randolph 1945 "Lt. H. McWhorter III"

The F6F Hellcat was basically designed as the “Zero Killer”. It could fly about an average 55 mph faster than the Zero and it was heavier and more powerful than the Zero. The Hellcat also had the highest kill ratio of any American fighter plane during WWII (19 to1). US Navy pilots referred the Hellcat as the "Aluminum Tank".

The Hellcat could carry two 1,000 pound bombs with its most destructive weapons being six 5-inch HVAR's (High Velocity Aircraft Rockets). It could also carry a torpedo under the fuselage but this was never seen in combat. When it was all over the F6F was one of the most feared and successful planes in WWII.

The Aircraft

Ham' McWhorter was not only the first Hellcat ace but also the first double ace as well, flying with VF-9 aboard Essex in 1943-44. He scored his first victory at Wake Island on October 1943, his fifth in the Gilberts on 19 November and tenth at Truk Atoll on 17 February 1944 and he later joined Air Group 12. McWhorter scored his 11th success a year after the Truk raid, dowing a Zeke near Tokyo on 16 February 1945. He added a 'Myrt' reconnaissance aircraft on 13 May for wartime total of 12.

Specifications :

Total production :	F6F-3 (4,403), F6F-5 (7,870)
Powerplant :	Single 2,000-horsepower 18-cylinder, Pratt and Whitney R-2800-10W air cooled radial engine
Climb rate to 14,000 ft. :	6 minutes 42 seconds
Wingspan :	42 ft. 10 in. (13.1 m)
Length :	33 ft., 7 in. (10.2 m)
Height :	13 ft., 1 in. (4.0 m)
Weight :	9,238 lb. empty
Maximum speed :	380 mph at 23,400 ft.
Ceiling :	37,300 ft.
Range :	945 miles
Armament :	six .50-caliber M2 Browning machine guns
	a 2,000 lb. bomb load, or six 5-inch rockets