F6F-3 Hellcat
Rating is 5.0 out of five stars based on 1 review
From $2.68Sale Price
The F6F-3 Hellcat was primarily used as the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps' premier carrier-based fighter in the Pacific Theater during World War II, starting in August 1943. It was vital in defeating Japanese forces, including the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, and also served with the British Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm.
Key Locations and Operations:
- Pacific Theater: Operated from aircraft carriers (e.g., USS Yorktown CV-10) in major battles, including the Marshall Islands and the Philippines.
- Guam: Used for night combat missions against Japanese forces.
- European Theater: Deployed by the British Fleet Air Arm in the Mediterranean and for raids on the German battleship Tirpitz.
- Training: Used at NAS Miramar, Patuxent River, and other naval air stations for advanced training.
Post-War and Other Uses:
- Bikini Atoll: Converted to radio-controlled drones (F6F-3K) for atomic bomb tests.
- Korea: Used as assault drones in the Korean War.
- Other: Operated by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels in 1946.
The F6F-3 was the primary version of the Hellcat in 1943-1944 before being largely superseded by the F6F-5, with over 4,400 produced.
Reviews
Quality work by FDD once again comes to the fore with their F6F-3 Hellcat which is slowly becoming one of my favorite planes of the war. In this case, the 3D print is crisp, clean, and properly scaled. The print is smoother than a baby's bum. The slight wing dihedral is captured nicely. My only complaint? That there isn't a -5 model available!