Type: single-seat carrier-based fighter
Bureau Number: 79593
Powerplant: one 1492-kW (2000-hp) Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W Double Wasp 18-cylinder radial piston engine
Maximum speed: 620 km/h (380 mph) at medium altitude
Range: 1675 km (1040 miles)
Service ceiling: 11,500 m (37,500 ft)
Weights: empty 4191 kg (9200 lb); loaded 6991 kg (15,400 lb)
Armament: six 12.7-mm (.50-cal) Browning M2 machine guns with 400 rounds each; two or three bombs up to maximum of 907 kg (2000 lb); and six 127-mm (5-in) HVAR (High Velocity Aircraft Rockets)
Dimensions:
Span: 13.08 m (42 ft 10 in)
Length: 10.23 m (33 ft 7 in)
Height: 3.99 m (13 ft 1 in)
Wing area: 31.03 m2 (334 sq ft)
The lethal F6F Hellcat gained enormous fame during WWII operating from the USS YORKTOWN (CV-10). Making their first combat flights from YORKTOWN in August 1943, the more powerful and agile Hellcat dominated the Pacific Theater and is credited with more air-to-air kills than any other U.S. Navy aircraft in history. The Hellcat and YORKTOWN will forever be remembered for the exploits of June 19, 1944 in the battle of the Philippine Sea. Known as "The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot", YORKTOWN Hellcats (VF-1) shot down 37 enemy aircraft. In all, Navy pilots from fifteen United States carriers destroyed nearly 400 aircraft that day.
One of the most famous WWII pilot's to serve aboard YORKTOWN was Lt. E.T. "Smoky" Stover. A skilled pilot, respected by the YORKTOWN crew, the charismatic 24 year old Stover was featured in the 1944 Academy Award winning documentary film The Fighting Lady. On February 16, 1944 Stover's Hellcat was shot down attacking Japanese forces at Truk. It's believed Stover was captured and killed by the enemy. The Smoky Stover theater on board the YORKTOWN is named in his honor.
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Within one hour, USS Laffey was hit by five Japanese Kamikazes and three enemy bombs.
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