Hellcat Help I.D.

[Paul Krumrei]

Anyone have any ideas on this bird?





Thanks guys!

[SaxMan]

The number on the cowl seems consistent with the factory construction numbers put on the airplanes during assembly and not typical Navy markings. I would imagine that this picture was taken at Grumman's Bethpage plant sometime early in fall of 1944 or during the early spring of 1945, based on that the airplane is an F6F-5, which did not go into production until April '44. It is painted in the overall blue paint, which did not show up until later in '44. The paint is not weathered, again leading me to believe that this is a new airplane. Also, the clothes the person pictured is wearing indicates that the weather is cool (note the long sleeves and a second shirt underneath), but not too cold.

[Paul Krumrei]

Thanks so much for the information!