As the War in the Pacific progressed, it became evident that the USN’s carrier-launched F4F Wildcats were struggling against their primary adversary, the Japanese A6 Zero.
Despite the Wildcat’s ability to survive significant damage and still remain airborne and a switch in combat tactics, which relied on it diving from height, it was not an aircraft capable of slugging it out head to head with the A6 Zero.
The solution was found in the new F6F Hellcat and the heavier, F4U Corsair carrier-launched fighter/interceptors.
Both competed for the role of the new USN's primary carrier fighter but its significant weight and high landing speeds resulted in the F4U Corsair struggling to fulfil the carrier role.
Navy pilots found it difficult to line up on the carrier deck due to the F4U’s high nose and its significant higher landing speed simply terrified them.
Both were not flaws you wanted in a successful carrier-launched and retrieved fighter so the initial production runs were passed onto the US Marine Corps who used F4U Corsairs with great success as an interceptor and ground support attack fighter in the US ‘island-hoping’ campaign across the Pacific.
Towards the end of the war, the problems with the F4U Corsair were largely resolved and the aircraft returned to carrier duties but by then, the new F6F Hellcat had already stamped its authority as the USN’s primary carrier-launched fighter.
The Hellcat was fast, strong and packed a knockout punch with its wing mounted cannons and superior climbing ability.
With additional fuel carrying capacity, spread between three self-sealing fuel tanks, the Hellcat could extend its already impressive patrol range with the addition of underwing drop tanks.
Within the first few months of its introduction into the Central Pacific campaign, F6F Hellcats had claimed 30 A6 Zeros with the loss of only one aircraft.
Later that year in air battles over Rabaul New Britain, Corsairs and Hellcats fought day-long battles for air supremacy against the Japanese forces shooting down another 50 Zeros.
The Weston Electric Corp BU Aero US Navy 88-1-12650 Weston Electric Cylinder Head Temperature Gauge was installed at the bottom far left of F4F Wildcat’s instrument panel, tucked under the canopy sill.
This WWII instrument is in remarkable condition for a 77 year of veteran of the war in the Pacific and still bears its USN stamp on the rear of its casing.
With a highly detailed 1/72 or larger super detailed1/48 scale model of the F6F Hellcat perched atop its hand-crafted, mango wood stand, this would make a fantastic gift for any aviation enthusiast.
This Grumman F6F Hellcat Instrument comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit.
Your Grumman F6F Hellcat, Cylinder Head Temperature Gauge, Original Recovery Curios Warbird Collectable includes:
*An upgrade to the larger and more detailed 1/48 scale model is also available for an additional $35 (Click on the 1/48 scale option)
* The 1/72 sacle Die-cast model comes with wheels 'up or down' and tgeh colour scheme and markings are fixed
Both the 1/72 & 1/48 custom made scale models are available with wheels & flaps ‘up or down’; cockpit ‘open or closed' and wings 'folded or open'
Your complete Recovery Curios Original Instrument Collectable is securely packed and delivery normally takes between 4 - 6 weeks approx.
Did you fly, crew or maintain a F6F Hellcat or have a friend, colleague or family member who did? Check out our PERSONALISED ORIGINAL INSTRUMENT COLLECTABLE OPTION here.