Hellcat

Highly illustrated combat history of the Hellcat. The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a carrier-based fighter aircraft developed to replace the earlier F4F Wildcat in United States Navy service. Although the F6F bore a family resemblance to the Wildcat, it was a completely new design powered by a 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800. Some tagged it as the "Wildcat's big brother". The Hellcat and the Vought F4U Corsair were the primary USN fighters during the second half of World War II. The Hellcat was the first US Navy fighter for which the design took into account lessons from combat with the Japanese Zero, making it perfect for combat in the Pacific. The Hellcat became the most successful aircraft in naval history, destroying 5,271 aircraft while in service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. This book details the legendary aircraft. Content includes: A squadron like many others; Finale on the left flank; Home Islands; British postscript; In Japan's night sky. Supported by numerous photos, line drawings and free masking foil. About the Series Air Battles is a series of books focusing on World War II air battles of specific aircraft and units. Each volume contains information on the planes involved, lists of scores, pilot reports and portraits, colour profile artwork and maps.