Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F6F Hellcat - СШАUSA - 1942

26 июня 1942г.: первый полет прототипа Grumman XF6F-3 Hellcat, считающегося одним из лучших истребителей корабельного базирования Второй мировой войны.
The first Hellcat prototype, XF6F-1, with the original R-2600-10 Cyclone engine installation

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F6F Hellcat - СШАUSA - 1942

A mixed formation of F6F-5s and one F6F-5N in Naval Reserve markings, from NAS Oakland California.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F6F Hellcat - СШАUSA - 1942

The original XF6F-3 brought up to F6F-3 standard, with an early drop-tank installation.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F6F Hellcat - СШАUSA - 1942

The second prototype XF6F-3, with the first R-2800 Double Wasp installation

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F6F Hellcat - СШАUSA - 1942

An early production F6F-3 Hellcat on test. It is finished in the "three-tone blue" scheme adopted by the US Navy in 1942, in which a dark sea blue for the top surface was graduated on the sides of the aircraft into a pale blue underside. Many variations oj the scheme appeared on Hellcats subsequently.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F6F Hellcat - СШАUSA - 1942

An F6F-5 with maximum external load, comprising six underwing HVAR’s, a drop tank and two Tiny Tim rockets under the centre section.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F6F Hellcat - СШАUSA - 1942

F6F-5N night fighters at sea in 1945, in midnight blue finish and carrying drop tanks as well as the wing-tip radomes.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F6F Hellcat - СШАUSA - 1942

Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F6F Hellcat - СШАUSA - 1942

The tone drawing illustrates an F6F-3, in three-tone blue finish, serving with Navy Squadron VF-29 aboard the aircraft carrier (CVL-28) USS Cabot

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F6F Hellcat - СШАUSA - 1942