The F6F embodied the early lessons learned by users of Grumman's previous fleet-defense fighter, the Wildcat. In June 1941, Grumman lowered the wing center section to enable the undercarriage to be wider splayed, fitting more armor-plating around the cockpit to protect the pilot while also increasing the fighter's ammunition capacity. When the prototype made its first flight, it was realized that a more powerful engine was needed to give the fighter a combat edge. A Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10 engine was installed for added power.

The aircraft made its combat debut in August 1943, and from that point on, the question of aerial supremacy in the Pacific was never in doubt. Hellcats served aboard most of the US Navy's fleet carriers, being credited with the destruction of 4,947 aircraft up to V-J Day. The Fleet Air Arm was also a great believer in the Hellcat, procuring almost 1,200 planes between 1943-45. The Hellcat saw only limited service in the post-war years, being replaced by the more powerful F9F Bearcat. Of the nine F6Fs believed to be airworthy today, seven are based in the USA and two are located in the UK.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a US Navy Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat fighter that was piloted by Lieutenant Commander Willard E. Eder, who was assigned to the VS-1 or "Victory Squadron" during 1945. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-1/4-inches
Length: 5-3/4-inches

Release Date: April 2024

Historical Account: "Victory Squadron" - In 1938, William Eder graduated from the University of Wyoming with a commission in the Army. Looking toward the future, he traded this commission for entry into the Navy aviation program, attending Naval Flight School at Pensacola. Thus began his naval career in which he fought in both the European and the Pacific theaters, and served with distinction as an aviator in the F2A, Brewster Buffalo, F4F Wildcats and F6F Hellcats.

After completing flight training in Pensacola, Florida, Ensign Eder was assigned to VF-3 aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3), the USS Enterprise (CV-6), and USS Lexington (CV-2) assigned to VF-2 where he participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea. He was subsequently transferred to the USS Santee (CVE-29), still flying F4F Wildcats but now in the Atlantic flying missions off Morocco to counter blockade runners with VGF-29 and VF-29.

Transferred back to the Pacific Theater, now Lieutenant Eder became commanding officer of VF-29 as well as Air Group Commander, and took the squadron, outfitted with Grumman F6F Hellcat's into the conflict aboard the Light Carrier USS Cabot (CVL-28) participating in the Battle of the Leyte Gulf and achieving Ace status by 1945 with six confirmed kills.

Toward the end of the war he led the "Victory Squadron," an assemblage of 16 aircraft that toured the United States promoting War Bonds in 52 cities.

After the war Commander Eder served as a Line Officer as Executive Officer aboard the USS Henrico (APA-45), and subsequently taught Amphibious Warfare at The Marine Corps Schools in Quantico, Virginia. Captain Eder commanded two different Navy ships: the USS Tortuga (LSD-26) and the USS Tulare (AKA-112), and as Commander of Fleet Activities in Pusan, Korea. He retired at the age of 49 in 1965, as a Navy Captain with 26 years of Naval Service, and a Navy Fighter Ace with a Navy Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit medal with combat "V," two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and five Air Medals, two Presidential Unit Citations and among many other unit awards.