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Eduard Plastic Kits: F6F-3 Hellcat 1/48 in 1:48
Price
27,99€
- Availability:
- Out Of Stock
- Product Code:
- EDUA-84194
- Brands
- Eduard Plastic Kits
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The Grumman F6 Hellcat is an American, single-engine, World War II fighter with a semi-shell structure in a low-wing configuration. The F6 Hellcat was developed as an evolution of the successful F4F design. 18 months of F4F operational experience in the Pacific and numerous comments from pilots who fought in Wildcat aircraft were used in its design. Structurally, the F6 Hellcat resembled its predecessor with one major change. A low wing system was used, which allowed the landing gear to be retracted on the lower center wing instead of the fuselage. This increased the width of the track and the stability of the movement on the ground. In addition, cockpit armor was used and ammunition was increased. The US Navy's evaluation of the Grumman proposal resulted in an order in June 1941 for four prototypes—the XF6F-1 through the XF6F-4—each with a different powertrain. The XF6F-1 flight took place a year after the contract was signed, but due to the urgent need to strengthen the Wildcats (F4F), the same airframe was equipped with the most powerful of the available Pratt-Whitney R-2800-10 engines, thanks in which the plane made its next first flight, this time as the XF6F-3. Before this second flight even took place, Grumman was commissioned to put the F6F-3 into production as the Hellcat. At this stage, the similarity of the F4F and F6F resulted in a reduction in the time required to bring the machine to the production line. The first such machine was flown in late 1942, and missions on the USS Essex began in January 1943. In August of that year, VF-5 Squadron from the USS Yorktown was the first to use its Hellcats against the Japanese. The structure of the plane was made entirely of metal, connected by countersunk rivets, and the wings were folded at the ends to facilitate the hangar on the deck of aircraft carriers. Standard armament consisted of six 12.7mm machine guns. placed on the tip of the fin. The hull and tail were of classic design, differing from the F4F only in dimensions. The tri-strut undercarriage was fully retractable via a hydraulic system, as was the hook to shorten the landing gear. The spacious cockpit was raised high above the level of the wings. The production of all versions of the F6 exceeded 12,200 copies and its intensity was so high that it was possible to quickly replace the F4Fs used until now. Technical data (for the F6F-5 version): Top speed: 620 km/h, rate of climb: 14 m/s, practical ceiling 11,400 m, maximum range: 1,755 km, armament: fixed - six 12.7 mm Browning machine guns Mounted - up to 1800 kg of bombs or additional fuel tank.