WOW703 Grumman F6F-5 “Paper Doll”

Description

Grumman F6F-5 “Paper Doll” VF-27, USS Princeton (CVL-23), October 1944.

The Grumman F6F Hellcat, was a WW2 American carrier-based fighter aircraft. Designed to replace the F4F Wildcat and to counter the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero, it was the US Navy’s dominant fighter in the second half of the Pacific War. In gaining that role, it prevailed over its faster competitor, the Vought F4U Corsair, which initially had problems with visibility and carrier landings.  In addition to its good flight qualities, the Hellcat was easy to maintain and had an airframe tough enough to withstand the rigors of routine carrier operations.   Like the Wildcat, the Hellcat was designed for ease of manufacturing and ability to withstand significant damage. The U.S. Navy greatly preferred the more docile flight characteristics of the F6F over the Vought F4U Corsair, despite the Corsair’s superior speed. This preference was particularly evident during carrier landings, which were a critical requirement for the Navy’s success. The Hellcat remained the standard carrier-borne fighter for the U.S. Navy until the F4U series was finally cleared for U.S. carrier operations in late 1944.

The Hellcat first saw action against the Japanese on 1 September 1943, when fighters off USS Independence shot down a Kawanishi H8K “Emily” flying boat.  Soon after, on 23 and 24 November, Hellcats engaged Japanese aircraft over Tarawa, shooting down a claimed 30 Mitsubishi Zeros for the loss of one F6F.  Over Rabaul, New Britain, on 11 November 1943, Hellcats and F4U Corsairs were engaged in day-long fights with many Japanese aircraft, including A6M Zeros, claiming nearly 50 aircraft.

The plane was so lethal that it earned the nickname “Ace Maker” because of the large number of pilots that earned their 5 + victories while flying it.

Our 1/30 scale F6F-5 Hellcat ‘Paper Doll’ was initially flown by Lt. Robert Burnell.  On October 24, 1944 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf it was flown from the USS Princeton by Lt. Carl Brown Jr.

Brown along with other US aircraft intercepted Japanese aircraft heading for the U.S. Fleet and managed to down 5 enemy aircraft during the ensuing dog fight. During the battle Brown and his aircraft were badly hit but he managed to land on the USS Essex since the USS Princeton was ablaze. “Paper Doll” was pushed into the sea to make room for all the extra aircraft that were being recovered onto its flight deck.

We have 3 models available priced at $750 plus postage and packing.

The figures and accessories shown are for scale comparison purposes only and are not included.