Name/Title
F6F-5K HellcatDescription
A navy, blue, and white aircraft with the Insignia Blue National Aircraft Symbol consisting of a five-pointed white star on a circular blue field with white and blue bars on either side on both the sides of the plane. The Hellcat has markings for the 'Navy,' 'N6,' and the bureau number '79593.'
The Grumman F6F Hellcat was introduced in 1943 to replace the F4F Wildcat. Designed as a counter to the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero, the Hellcat has foldable wings, hydraulic landing gear, and a high cockpit with sloped fuselage for better visibility. The F6F-5K variants were converted into radio-controlled target drones.Context
The F6F Hellcat gained enormous fame during World War II operating from the USS Yorktown (CV-10). Making their first combat flights from Yorktown in August,1943, the more powerful and agile Hellcats dominated the Pacific Theater and are credited with more air-to-air kills than any other US Navy aircraft in history.Collection
USS Yorktown CV-10Acquisition
Accession
2023.8Source or Donor
National Naval Aviation MuseumAcquisition Method
TradeMake and Manufacture
Manufacturer
Grumman aircraft engineering corporationManufacture Date
circa 1942 - circa 1945Update Date
April 23, 2025
