How many flying F6Fs?

[bdk]

It sounds like WestPac has a bunch to build, so should be maybe another three or four in the future? Anyone know how many projects they have?

Last edited by bdk on Fri Apr 05, 2013 9:57 am, edited 1 time in total.

[kalamazookid]

I was told by a Tennessee Museum of Aviation volunteer during my last visit that they had an F6F under restoration somewhere. When I asked where, he said "somewhere out west" so I'm not sure how good that information is. WestPac maybe? Or does it even exist?

[bombadier29]

Yes they exist and it is westpac.

[P51Mstg]

I saw Kermit's two weeks (no pun intended) ago... Looks pretty complete, well on its way to flying, yet, a ways away from flying. Give it a year or less intensive work (unless it has corrosion problems or such) and I'd say it would be flying...

Mark H

[airnutz]

.... Looks pretty complete, well on its way to flying, yet, a ways away from flying.

Ahhhh...the classic term, "90% restored"...

[MKD1966]

Excuse me if this has been asked and answered already and I missed it - but I seem to recall talk last year that Lone Star's F6F was going to be stripped and repainted... Was wondering is this true and if so has it happened yet or is it in the works now ? Just curious... Thanks, Mike

[C VEICH]

Excuse me if this has been asked and answered already and I missed it - but I seem to recall talk last year that Lone Star's F6F was going to be stripped and repainted... Was wondering is this true and if so has it happened yet or is it in the works now ? Just curious... Thanks, Mike

Man I sure hope it's true!

[Mark Allen M]

I was told by a Tennessee Museum of Aviation volunteer during my last visit that they had an F6F under restoration somewhere. When I asked where, he said "somewhere out west" so I'm not sure how good that information is. WestPac maybe? Or does it even exist?

Agreed! heard the same information. The thought being that there is indeed more than one collection of Hellcat parts and pieces at WestPac to create a full restoration. Wonderful news if true.

As for the Lone Star Hellcat, also certainly good news if speculation is turned to reality. I've always had raised eyebrows to that scheme, but NOT to the fact that it's an outstanding airplane from and outstanding organization that actually takes to the air at times. Good for them.

[Mike]

I saw Kermit's two weeks (no pun intended) ago... Looks pretty complete, well on its way to flying, yet, a ways away from flying. Give it a year or less intensive work (unless it has corrosion problems or such) and I'd say it would be flying...

Mark H

Really? Are you sure it is being actively worked on? I thought it had been in storage untouched for the bast part of three decades.

[P51Mstg]

On Kermit's Hellcat

That may not have been really clear..... It looks good. Its in storage, it is NOT actively being worked on.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7jnxdxervo7gud2/pDVeWEsZtP

Photos are here. I'll take them down in a couple of days....

Mark H

[over/out]

Anything left from the POF Hellcat for a rebuild?

[P51Mstg]

I've never seen the wreckage, but the way it happened, I'd guess about nothing beyond the dataplate.. Which means that someday there is hope for it.

Mark H

[prichr27]

I'm new to this forum but I came across a Hellcat auto pilot system in mint condition. I guess the military made them in 1946 after the war to automate some of the planes. A guy at a Seattle aviation museum told me to come check out this forum. Is this thing worth any money? I need to go to med school.

[Stephan Wilkinson]

Yes, that's exactly what they were for. Immediately after WWII, a number of Hellcats were turned into unmanned target drones, usually controlled from the ground. They flew them out of Point Mugu and probably a few other West Coast locations. Though other WWII naval aircraft--most notably the Corsair--went on to have extended combat careers in Korea (and in the case of the Corsair all the way up to the 1969 Central American "Soccer War") the F6F was retired to drone duty. Admittedly, half a dozen of the drones were used in Korea in an attempt to knock out an important bridge.

[prichr27]

Yes, that's exactly what they were for. Immediately after WWII, a number of Hellcats were turned into unmanned target drones, usually controlled from the ground. They flew them out of Point Mugu and probably a few other West Coast locations. Though other WWII naval aircraft--most notably the Corsair--went on to have extended combat careers in Korea (and in the case of the Corsair all the way up to the 1969 Central American "Soccer War") the F6F was retired to drone duty. Admittedly, half a dozen of the drones were used in Korea in an attempt to knock out an important bridge.

Haha, thats whats up. So its not worth anything is it.