f6f_hellcat

Other names: f6f, f6fヘルキャット, hellcat

A World War II single-seat carrier-based fighter manufactured by Grumman and employed primarily by the US Navy. Powered by a 2,100 hp (1,567 kW) "radial engine":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratt_%26_Whitney_R-2800, it was armed with .50-caliber machine guns and/or 20mm cannon and could carry up to 2,000 lbs (907 kg) of rockets, bombs, or torpedoes. Virtually all in-service airplanes were painted some shade of blue.

The F6F proved to be a reliable and effective plane, owning to its durable airframe. The plane outclassed the Japanese A6M Zero in almost every aspect (save for manoverability) and became the most effective naval figher of the war. Claiming 5,157 recorded aerial victories.