Yiannis Mitzas

XF6F-1 Hellcat

Following the early experience of the US Navy in the Pacific during the early months of World War II and in consultation with Allied forces on the European front, Grumman began developing the Wildcat’s successor, called the Hellcat. Major design changes from the Wildcat included a lower wing, wider underwing landing gear, a more powerful engine, improved cockpit trim, and increased ammunition. Built specifically to counter the Japanese Zero, the Hellcat earned the nickname “maker ace” due to its design innovations. The Hellcat proved to be the most successful aircraft in naval history, destroying 5,171 aircraft in service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps (5,163 in the Pacific and another eight during the invasion of southern France), plus 52 with the Fleet Air Arm (RNAS) during World War II.

Grumman unveiled on June 26, 1942: The Grumman XF6F-1, prototype for the Navy and Marine Corps F6F Hellcat fighter aircraft, with Grumman chief engineer and aircraft designer Robert Leicester, making its 25th maiden flight at the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation plant in Bethpage. , Long Island, New York

The first Hellcat was powered by an air-cooled, turbocharged, twin-cylinder W2666 (R-2600-10) “twin”, 14,600 L (42,688 cu in), 14-cylinder radial engine with a compression ratio of 6.9:1. The R-2600-10 was rated at 1,500 hp at 2,400 rpm at sea level and 1,700 hp at 2,600 rpm for takeoff, burning 100 octane gasoline. It was converted to a Curtiss Electric triple coil via a 0.5625:1 speed reducer. The R-2600-10 was 4 ft, 6.26 in (1.378 m) in diameter and 6 ft, 2.91 in (1.903 m) long. It weighed 2,115 lb (959 kg). Starting with the second prototype, Bu. 02982, the 18-cylinder Pratt & Whitney SSB2-G engine (R-2800-10) became the primary powerplant. The R-2800-10 was a 1,880 cubic inch (45.956 L) six-cylinder, air-cooled, turbocharged, water-injected, steam-displacement engine. The engine had a compression ratio of 6.65:1 and was rated at 1,550 horsepower at 2,550 rpm at 21,500 feet (6,553 m) and 2,000 horsepower at 2,700 rpm for takeoff, burning 100-octane gasoline. The engine drove a three-string Hamilton Standard Hydromatic 1-inch (3.988 m) diameter 13-foot (3.988 m) pitch fixed-speed propeller with a 2:1 gear ratio. The R-2800-10 was 4 feet, 4.47 inches (1.334 m) in diameter, 7 feet, 4.47 inches (2.247 m) long, and weighed 2,480 pounds (1,125 kg) each. The engine weighed 2,480 pounds (1,125 kg). The first prototype was quickly converted to a radial and redesigned Pratt & Whitney XF6F-3. Bob Hall flew it with the new engine on 30 July 1942. A few weeks later, on 17 August, the Hellcat’s new engine failed and Hall crashed on Crane’s farm. The aircraft was badly damaged and Hall was seriously injured. The aircraft was rebuilt and continued on the test program. It was eventually converted to the XF6F-4 with a Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp 2SB-G (R-2800-27) two-stage supercharger producing 2,000 hp (1,200 kW) at 2,700 rpm. It was armed with four 20 mm (0.8 in) cannons.