f6f-5n hellcatf6f-5nhellcat 8226 - eduard · 2013. 5. 22. · f6f-5n hellcatf6f-5nhellcat 8226 1:48...

16
F6F-5N Hellcat F6F-5N Hellcat 8226 1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT 1:48 eduard F6F Hellcat intro by Jan Zdiarský There are few aircraft types that took part in combat during World War Two, that can be described with such one sided outcomes in terms of kill : loss ratio as the Hellcat. Representing the middle of the Grumman Cat lineage, the Hellcat was a unique type right from its beginnings. Success of its older brother, the Wildcat, which carried on its shoulders the bulk of the strain of the Pacific air war in 1942, prompted the US Navy to give Grumman free reign over the independent development of a new fighter. This type was to act as insurance in the event the concept of the F4U Corsair turned out unsuccessful. Grumman designers set forth with the design, with emphasis on ease of manufacture, performance and suitability for carrier ops. On the 30th of June, 1941, as Corsair production was initiating, the Navy signed an order for two prototype XF6F-1s, and a star was born. Original expectations centered around development of the proven F4F Wildcat, which was to be dominated by installation of more powerful engines. As such, this eventually evolved into a new fighter altogether. The US Navy also had accumulated combat experience, and was able to incorporate pilot suggestions into the design. The Hellcat was some 60% heavier than the Wildcat, was more heavily armed, had a more powerful engine, was more heavily armored, carried more fuel and was generally of a more robust construction. The first prototype took to the air on June 26th, 1942, and by January, 1943 equipped the first Navy unit, VF-9, on the deck of the USS Essex. The new type was called Hellcat. The name not only suggested the place to which her enemies would be sent, but was also a play on words. The term in the old west referred to barroom brawlers, and that was what the Navy wanted: a tough fighter with hard fists, that could absorb punishment and had stamina. The Hellcat line didn't result in the most elegant of fighters. It was, after all, over twice as heavy as its main adversary, the Japanese A6M Zero. But elegance certainly doesn't play a pivotal role in terms of the potential survival of the pilot. It was a fighter first and foremost in every sense of the word, designed around the requirements of the pilot to fulfill the combat mission for which it was designed and he was trained. The initial version, F6F-3, was supplanted by the dash five, which modified the canopy, cowl, bombracks and droptanks. The first combat engagement of the enemy occurred on September 1st, 1943, when an Emily was flamed by the half inch guns of two Hellcats. Their advantage over Japanese fighters was well demonstrated on February 16th, 1944, when, in the vicinity of Truk, over 100 fighters were claimed in the air and over 150 on the ground for the loss of four aircraft. Five days later, in the Marianas, a further 160 enemy aircraft were destroyed in the air and on the ground Often one sided combat was documented in the battle for the Philippine Sea that culminated on June 19th, 1944 in the now legendary 'Great Marianas Turkey Shoot', where Hellcat pilots claimed some 350 enemy aircraft destroyed. A further turkey hunt took place between October 12th and 14th, 1944 over Formosa, seeing the destruction, at the hands of Hellcat pilots, of 300 enemy aircraft for the loss of 27. In October, 1944, the Japanese began to escalate night attacks, bringing on a requirement for night fighters to counter them. USAAF P-61s were too far off. Night fighting variants of the Hellcat were introduced in the form of the and , equipped with radar. This new role for the Hellcat first appeared at the end of fall, 1944 during the intensification of kamikaze attacks, that required the interception of unorthodox attacks by aircraft that avoided air to air combat. Other major combat was seen over the Japanese islands over the first half of 1945. Although the Hellcat was progressively replaced by its stablemate F4U Corsair, it served in the combat role up to the end of the war. Under the designation Hellcat F Mk 1 and II, several hundred served with the Royal Navy, notably in the Atlantic covering convoys, and also in the Far East. According to statistics, there were 12275 Hellcats of all versions made. For the loss of 270 of these, Hellcat pilots claimed 5156 kills. That accounts for over half of USN and USMC victories. The Hellcat also became the most successful carrier based fighter in the Pacific in under two years of ops. F6F-3N F6F-5N Lumbering, awkward at first glance, lacking in elegance, barroom brawler – wild, tough, a fearless hulk, able to clear a saloon before turning three times…..that was the Hellcat in the skies over the Pacific. US NAVY WWII NIGHT FIGHTER Profiles artwork by Petr Štěpánek, profiles description by Martin Ferkl VMF(N)-541, Falalop island, Ulithi Atoll, May 1945 Pin-up girls were not common on ai craft of the US Marine Corps. Exceptions existed on aircraft used by VMF(N)-541. This Marine Corps unit was equipped with Hellcat nightfighters and fougt against Japanese air forces over Palau Islands and the Philippines. From May 30, 1945 on, the airfield at Falalop island became the new unit´s home. From this airbase, the unit flew patrol missions over the US Navy‘s forward base at Ulithi Atoll. VMF(N)-541 aircraft were adorned with the combat name 'Bat Eye', despite the fact that bats don´t use their eyes for night flying. r ČESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www.eduard.com/info/photos/8226

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Page 1: F6F-5N HellcatF6F-5NHellcat 8226 - Eduard · 2013. 5. 22. · F6F-5N HellcatF6F-5NHellcat 8226 1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT eduard F6F Hellcat intro by Jan Zdiarský There are few aircraft

F6F-5N HellcatF6F-5N Hellcat 8226

1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT1:48

ed

uard

F6F Hellcat intro by Jan Zdiarský

There are few aircraft types that took part in combat during World War Two, that can be described with such one sided outcomes in termsof kill : loss ratio as the Hellcat. Representing the middle of the Grumman Cat lineage, the Hellcat was a unique type right from its beginnings. Successof its older brother, the Wildcat, which carried on its shoulders the bulk of the strain of the Pacific air war in 1942, prompted the US Navy to giveGrumman free reign over the independent development of a new fighter. This type was to act as insurance in the event the concept of the F4U Corsairturned out unsuccessful. Grumman designers set forth with the design, with emphasis on ease of manufacture, performance and suitability for carrierops.

On the 30th of June, 1941, as Corsair production was initiating, the Navy signed an order for two prototype XF6F-1s, and a star was born. Originalexpectations centered around development of the proven F4F Wildcat, which was to be dominated by installation of more powerful engines. As such,this eventually evolved into a new fighter altogether. The US Navy also had accumulated combat experience, and was able to incorporate pilotsuggestions into the design. The Hellcat was some 60% heavier than the Wildcat, was more heavily armed, had a more powerful engine, was moreheavily armored, carried more fuel and was generally of a more robust construction. The first prototype took to the air on June 26th, 1942, and byJanuary, 1943 equipped the first Navy unit, VF-9, on the deck of the USS Essex.

The new type was called Hellcat. The name not only suggested the place to which her enemies would be sent, but was also a play on words. Theterm in the old west referred to barroom brawlers, and that was what the Navy wanted: a tough fighter with hard fists, that could absorb punishment andhad stamina. The Hellcat line didn't result in the most elegant of fighters. It was, after all, over twice as heavy as its main adversary, the JapaneseA6MZero. But elegance certainly doesn't play a pivotal role in terms of the potential survival of the pilot. It was a fighter first and foremost in every sense ofthe word, designed around the requirements of the pilot to fulfill the combat mission for which it was designed and he was trained. The initial version,F6F-3, was supplanted by the dash five, which modified the canopy, cowl, bombracks and droptanks.

The first combat engagement of the enemy occurred on September 1st, 1943, when an Emily was flamed by the half inch guns of two Hellcats.Their advantage over Japanese fighters was well demonstrated on February 16th, 1944, when, in the vicinity of Truk, over 100 fighters were claimedin the air and over 150 on the ground for the loss of four aircraft. Five days later, in the Marianas, a further 160 enemy aircraft were destroyed in the airand on the ground Often one sided combat was documented in the battle for the Philippine Sea that culminated on June 19th, 1944 in the nowlegendary 'Great Marianas Turkey Shoot', where Hellcat pilots claimed some 350 enemy aircraft destroyed. A further turkey hunt took place betweenOctober 12th and 14th, 1944 over Formosa, seeing the destruction, at the hands of Hellcat pilots, of 300 enemy aircraft for the loss of 27.

In October, 1944, the Japanese began to escalate night attacks, bringing on a requirement for night fighters to counter them.USAAF P-61s were too far off. Night fighting variants of the Hellcat were introduced in the form of the and , equipped with radar.This new role for the Hellcat first appeared at the end of fall, 1944 during the intensification of kamikaze attacks, that required the interceptionof unorthodox attacks by aircraft that avoided air to air combat. Other major combat was seen over the Japanese islands over the first half of 1945.

Although the Hellcat was progressively replaced by its stablemate F4U Corsair, it served in the combat role up to the end of the war.Under the designation Hellcat F Mk 1 and II, several hundred served with the Royal Navy, notably in the Atlantic covering convoys, and also in the FarEast.

According to statistics, there were 12275 Hellcats of all versions made. For the loss of 270 of these, Hellcat pilots claimed 5156 kills.That accounts for over half of USN and USMC victories. The Hellcat also became the most successful carrier based fighter in the Pacificin under two years of ops.

F6F-3N F6F-5N

Lumbering, awkward at first glance, lacking in elegance, barroom brawler – wild, tough, a fearless hulk, able to cleara saloon before turning three times…..that was the Hellcat in the skies over the Pacific.

US NAVY WWII NIGHT FIGHTER

Profiles artwork by Petr Štěpánek, profiles description by Martin Ferkl

VMF(N)-541, Falalop island, Ulithi Atoll, May 1945

Pin-up girls were not common on ai craft of the US Marine Corps. Exceptions existed on aircraft used by VMF(N)-541. This Marine Corps unit was equippedwith Hellcat nightfighters and fougt against Japanese air forces over Palau Islands and the Philippines. From May 30, 1945 on, the airfield at Falalop islandbecame the new unit´s home. From this airbase, the unit flew patrol missions over the US Navy‘s forward base at UlithiAtoll. VMF(N)-541 aircraft were adornedwith the combat name 'Bat Eye', despite the fact that bats don´t use their eyes for night flying.

r

ČESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NAwww.eduard.com/info/photos/8226

Page 2: F6F-5N HellcatF6F-5NHellcat 8226 - Eduard · 2013. 5. 22. · F6F-5N HellcatF6F-5NHellcat 8226 1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT eduard F6F Hellcat intro by Jan Zdiarský There are few aircraft

BARVYCOLOURS FARBEN PEINTURE

INSTRUKTION SINNBILDENINSTR. SYMBOLY SYMBOLESINSTRUCTION SIGNS

DÍLYPARTS TEILE PIECES

UPOZORNĚNÍATTENTION ACHTUNG ATTENTION

PLASTIC PARTS

2

H>

E>

G>

C>B> J>

D>

Před započetím stavby si pečlivě prostudujte stavební návod. Při používání barev a lepidel pracujte v dobře větrané místnosti. Lepidla ani barvy nepoužívejte v blízkostiotevřeného ohně. Model není určen malým dětem, mohlo by dojít k požití drobných dílů.

Carefully read instruction sheet before assembling. When you use glue or paint, do not use near open flame and use in well ventilated room. Keep out of reach of smallchildren. Children must not be allowed to suck any part, or pull vinyl bag over the head.

Von dem Zusammensetzen die Bauanleitung gut durchlesen. Kleber und Farbe nicht nahe von offenem Feuer verwenden und das Fenster von Zeit zu Zeit Belüftungöffnen. Bausatz von kleinen Kindern fernhalten. Verhüten Sie, daß Kinder irgendwelche Bauteile in den Mund nehmen oder Plastiktüten über den Kopf ziehen.

Iire soigneusement la fiche d´instructions avant d´assembler. Ne pas utiliser de colle ou de peinture a proximité d´une flamme nue, et aérer la piece de temps en temps.Garder hors de portée des enfants en bas âge. Ne pas laisser les enfants mettre en bouche ou sucer les pieces, ou passer un sachet vinyll sur la tete.

APPLY EXPRESS MASKAND PAINT

POUŽÍT EXPRESS MASKNABARVIT

OPTIONAL

FACULTATIFNACH BELIEBEN

VOLBABEND

PLIER SIL VOUS PLAITBITTE BIEGEN

OHNOUTOPEN HOLE

FAIRE UN TROUOFFNEN

VYVRTAT OTVORSYMETRICAL ASSEMBLY

MONTAGE SYMÉTRIQUESYMMETRISCHE AUFBAU

SYMETRICKÁ MONTÁŽREMOVE

RETIRERENTFERNEN

ODŘÍZNOUTNOTCH

L INCISIONDER EINSCHNITT

ZÁŘEZ

eduard

PE - PHOTO ETCHEDDETAIL PARTS

RP - RESIN PARTS

1 2 4 4

3 3

6 7 8

9

10

115

CLEAR YELLOWC48H91

H80 KHAKI GREENC54

C47H90 CLEAR RED

Mr.COLORAQUEOUS

GSi Creos (GUNZE)

C14H54 NAVY BLUE

C62H11 FLAT WHITE

C33H12 FLAT BLACK

C137H77 TIRE BLACK

C27H58 INTERMEDIATE GREEN

LIGHT GRAYH51 C11

CLEAR GREENH94

C306H306 GRAY

Mr.COLORAQUEOUS

RUSTH344

ALUMINIUM

MC214

MC218

DARK IRON

Mr.METAL COLOR

WHITEH316 C316

Mr. METALLICCOLOR SUPER

SUPER IRONSM03

F>

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PE6

E12

G23

E20

PE49

H58C27

INTER. GREEN

H58C27

INTER. GREEN

H12C33

FLAT BLACK

E11

G35

H58C27

INTER. GREEN

G50

H58C27

INTER. GREEN

H12C33

FLAT BLACK

3

PE16PE17

PE42

PE19

PE11

PE15

PE14

PE23

PE54

PE182 pcs.

PE20 PE21

G43

H58C27

INTER. GREEN

H12C33

FLAT BLACK

PE24

PE13

A

PE7

PE3

PE8

PE3

PE7

PE4

PE6

PE2

PE1

PE5

PE5

PE2

PE1

PE12

RP7

PE36

PE40PE61

PE61

PE43

PE30

PE32

PE28

PE61

PE60PE59

PE31

PE44

PE27

PLASTIC

PE50PE26

G53

H58C27

INTER. GREEN

H12C33

FLAT BLACK

H12C33

FLAT BLACK

Page 4: F6F-5N HellcatF6F-5NHellcat 8226 - Eduard · 2013. 5. 22. · F6F-5N HellcatF6F-5NHellcat 8226 1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT eduard F6F Hellcat intro by Jan Zdiarský There are few aircraft

H58C27

INTER. GREEN

H12C33

FLAT BLACK

G55

PE35

PE33

PE29H9

G50

G55

G15

G53

AG43

H58C27

INTER. GREEN

H9

G50

G43

4

PE38

D1

C1

PE39

PE57

PE 43G28

D2

C2

G39

H77C137

TIRE BLACK

C2

C1

G39

H3

H4

G2

PE53

PE53

PE37

PE25

H51C11

LIGHT GRAY

H58C27

INTER. GREEN

H51C11

LIGHT GRAY

IF YOU INSTALTHE FUEL TANK

POKUD SE INSTALUJETEPŘÍD. NÁDRŽ

D1

D2CC2 - MARKING ONLY

CH3+ PE53 - MARKING ONLY

CH4+ PE53 - MARKING ONLY

CC1 - MARKING ONLY

H54C14

NAVY BLUE

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5

E2

E7

E16 E3

E6

E15

E13

PE10

DECAL 83

G52

G52

G34

G3

G44

G12

PE47

H306C306GRAY

H306C306GRAY

H12C33

FLAT BLACK

H12C33

FLAT BLACK

H12C33

FLAT BLACK

ALUMINIUMMC218

PE9

PE47

G12

G44

G52

Page 6: F6F-5N HellcatF6F-5NHellcat 8226 - Eduard · 2013. 5. 22. · F6F-5N HellcatF6F-5NHellcat 8226 1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT eduard F6F Hellcat intro by Jan Zdiarský There are few aircraft

6

DARK IRONMC214

E14

PE45

H58C27

INTER. GREEN

ALUMINIUMMC218

J4

J3

H10

E5

E4

H12

H13

CLEAR GREEN

H94

H90C47

CLEAR RED

B6

B5

H10

H334RUST

H334RUST

H334RUST

G32G21G19

G33

RP11

RP8RP9

RP10

G54

G5

B1

B2

DARK IRONMC214

DARK IRONMC214

B4

B3

B10 RP2

ERP2 - MARKING ONLY

B9

RP1

E

RP1 - MARKING

ONLY

IF YOU INSTALBOMB RACKS

POKUD SI INSTALUJETEPUMOVÉ ZÁVĚSNÍKY

CMARKING ONLY; D

B10

B9

Page 7: F6F-5N HellcatF6F-5NHellcat 8226 - Eduard · 2013. 5. 22. · F6F-5N HellcatF6F-5NHellcat 8226 1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT eduard F6F Hellcat intro by Jan Zdiarský There are few aircraft

7

G38 G37

G8 G7

H5

G16

H11H11

H14

H316C316WHITE

CLEAR GREEN

H94

H91C48

CLEAR YELLOW

H90C47

CLEAR RED

H316C316WHITE

G48OPENCLOSED

FWD

FWD

G45

G38 G7

G8

G37

G45

RP4

RP3

H77C137

TIRE BLACK

2 pcs.

ALUMINIUMMC218

H54C14

NAVY BLUE

C- MARKING ;ALUMINIUMMC218

D

H54C14

NAVY BLUEA- MARKING ; B ; E

H54C14

NAVY BLUE

Page 8: F6F-5N HellcatF6F-5NHellcat 8226 - Eduard · 2013. 5. 22. · F6F-5N HellcatF6F-5NHellcat 8226 1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT eduard F6F Hellcat intro by Jan Zdiarský There are few aircraft

8

L R

G51

G4

PE56

PE55

G40

G14

G51

G4

G51G40

G22

G47

G9

G20G26

G4

G14

G17

G25

G18

G10

G46

G14

G40

G4

G51

G41

G42G17

G22

G18

G20

G37

G38

G25

G26

G4

G51

G18 G20

G4

G51

G41

G42

G37 G38

G25 G26

G17 G22

G18 G20

G41

G42

FWD

G31

G42

G41

L

R

G1

G1

G11

G36

H77C137

TIRE BLACK

H77C137

TIRE BLACK

RP3 + RP4

ALUMINIUMMC218

H54C14

NAVY BLUE

C- MARKING ;ALUMINIUMMC218

D

H54C14

NAVY BLUEA- MARKING ; B ; E

G1

G1

G36

G11

H77C137

TIRE BLACK

H77C137

TIRE BLACK

RP3+ RP4

C- MARKING ;ALUMINIUMMC218

D

H54C14

NAVY BLUEA- MARKING ; B ; E

ALUMINIUMMC218

H54C14

NAVY BLUE

H54C14

NAVY BLUEH54C14

NAVY BLUE

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9

CA6 pcs.

B6 pcs.

E1

E10

G29ALUMINIUM

MC218

F3F4

H51C11

LIGHT GRAY

H80C54

KHAKI GREEN

H12C33

FLAT BLACK

H80C54

KHAKI GREEN

ALUMINIUMMC218

H51C11

LIGHT GRAY

H80C54

KHAKI GREEN

F2

F1

H51C11

LIGHT GRAY

H80C54

KHAKI GREEN

H12C33

FLAT BLACK

H80C54

KHAKI GREEN

H51C11

LIGHT GRAY

H80C54

KHAKI GREEN

PE52 PE51

C

2 pcs.

2 pcs.

3 pcs.

B

RP6

RP6

3 pcs.A

B3 pcs.

3 pcs.A

BMARKING ; D ONLY

BMARKING ; D ONLY

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8226

eduard

10

G1+ G36

2 pcs.

2 pcs.

G1+ G11

H7

H1 - CLOSED

H4

H3

H2 - OPEN

G49

H6

G30

H1

H7

E17

CLOSED

H2OPEN

CLEAR GREEN

H94

NOT INCLUDED IN THE KITTENTO DÍL STAVEBNICENEOBSAHUJERP5

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11

36

H5414 2316H54

14

9

39

39

4

2020

H5414

H5414

H5414

4

1 2

H5414

8

11

9

36

H5414

23 H5414

H54143916

11eduard

A VMF-511, USS Block Island, April 1945

NAVY BLUEH5414

20

37

7?

20

33

USS Enterprise (CV-6) was damaged by two Kamikaze aircraft that hit water inches away from her hull onApril 11, 1945. She carried CAG(N)-90 on her deck at that time.VF(N)-90, equipped with nightfighter Hellcats, was a part of this carrier air group. F6F-5N Hellcat 'White 24' rested on the fligh deck at the time of the suicide attack andwas damaged by flames. White arrow on the tail was carried by Big E aircraft from January 27, 1945 to July 27, 1945.VF(N)-90´s first combat occured on January 6, 1945. By May 14, 1945, when Big E was hit and badly damaged by Kamikazes yet again, the squadron downed 36Japanese aircraft.After this date, Enterprise was forced to leave the combat zone and sail to the east for repairs.

.

Dne 11. dubna 1945 byla letadlové loď USS Enterprise (CV-6) zasažena výbuchy dvou japonských sebevražedných strojů. V té době nesla na palubě také nočníleteckou skupinu CAG(N)-90. Její součástí byla i noční stíhací VF(N)-90. Hellcat „24“ byl během útoku Kamikaze zasažen plameny.Bílá šipka na ocasní ploše a křídle identifikuje letadla vzlétající z paluby Enterprise. Používána byla v období od 27. ledna 1945 do 27. července 1945.První bojové střetnutí prodělali letci VF(N)-90 dne 6. ledna 1945. Z paluby Enterprise působila tato jednotka až do 14. května 1945, kdy byla Big E opět zasaženaKamikaze a rozsáhlá poškození ji donutila odplout k opravám. Během této doby sestřelila 36 letadel

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11

36

H5414 3428H54

14

24

19

4

1919

H5414

H5414

H5414

4

1 2

H5414

8

H1162

11

27

36

H5414

34 H5414

H5414528

H1162

eduardNAVY BLUEH5414 WHITE 62

H11

3

3

19

?

?

B 'Butch', VMF-511, USS Block Island, April 1945

The first aircraft carrier to have a US Marine Corps nightfighter unit assigned to it was USS Block Island (CVE-106). VMF-511 embarked on Block Island in March, 1945,and was a mixed group of eight Corsairs, two photorecce F6F-5P Hellcats and eight F6F-5N Hellcat nightfighters. The squadron joined the battle for Okinawa on May 10,1945 and was consequently sent to the eastern coast of Borneo to support landing operations at Balikpapan. The first and only success came on July 3, 1945 when1stLt. Bruce Reuter shoot down an E13A„Jake“ floatplane. The Hellcat nicknamed 'Butch' was one of eight VMF-511 nightfigher Hellcats aboard Block Island. The Whiteblock with Blue 'I' is a carrier indentification symbol, while the small Blue 'M' signifies the USMC. Black „I“ and „M“ are mentioned as Glossy Sea Blue in some sources.

První letadlovou lodí, která měla na palubě noční stíhací jednotku námořní pěchoty, se stala USS Block Island (CVE-106). Privilegovaným útvarem byla VMF-511,jejíž výzbroj tvořilo osm Corsairů, dva fotoprůzkumné Hellcaty a osm nočních stíhacích Hellcatů. Do bojů se zapojila 10. května 1945 u Okinawy, následně bylaodeslána k podpoře vylodění v Balikpapanu na Borneu. Zde také dosáhla svého jediného sestřelu, když 1Lt. Bruce Reuter 3. července sestřelil plovákový E13A„Jake“.Jedním z osmi F6F-5N vzlétajících z paluby Block Islandu, byl stroj nesoucí jméno „Butch“. Bílý obdélník s černým „I“ byl symbolem strojů patřících na palubu BlockIslandu. Malé černé „M“ značí stroj námořní pěchoty. Některé prameny uvádějí barvu písmen „I“ a „M“ na SOPjako Glossy Sea Blue.

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C VMF(N)-541, Falalop island, Ulithi Atoll, May 1945

Pin-up girls were not common on aircraft of the US Marine Corps. Exceptions existed on aircraft used by VMF(N)-541. This Marine Corps unit was equipped with Hellcatnightfighters and fougt against Japanese air forces over Palau Islands and the Philippines. From May 30, 1945 on, the airfield at Falalop island became the new unit´shome. From this airbase, the unit flew patrol missions over the US Navy‘s forward base at UlithiAtoll. VMF(N)-541 aircraft were adorned with the combat name 'Bat Eye',despite the fact that bats don´t use their eyes for night flying.

Pin-up girls, tedy malůvky spoře oděných slečen a dam, se na letadlech ve stavu americké námořní pěchoty objevovaly velmi výjimečně. Jednou z mála jednotek, kterátuto praxi zdobení letounů tolerovala, byla VMF(N)-541. Tato jednotka, vyzbrojená nočními Hellcaty, prošla boji na souostroví Palau, zúčastnila se bojů na Filipínách,aby se v polovině ledna 1945 vrátila zpět na Peleliu (část Palau). V té době se pyšnila 23 sestřelenými stroji nepřítele. Od 30. května 1945 se jejím domovem stalo letištěna ostrově Falalop, odkud se podílela na obraně kotviště v atolu Ulithi fungujícího jako předsunutá základna pro plavidla amerického námořnictva. VMF(N)-541 neslabojové jméno Bat Eye, tedy Netopýří oko, i přesto, že netopýři k nočnímu lovu oči vůbec nepoužívají.

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D BuNo. 72627 (?72827?), VMF(N)-533, Ie Shima, May 1945

VMF(N)-533 became one of the most successful Marine Corps squadrons as its pilots downed 35 enemy aircraft in the period from April to August 1945. 'Little Nance'belonged to this squadron and was photographed on Ie Shima island in May 1945.Lt.Col. Marion Magruder, CO of VMF(N)-533, served in the Royal Air Force for a short period but learned a lot while flying the Bristol Beaufighter at that time. Magruder,nicknamed 'Black Mac', achieved one kill during WWII, shooting down a Betty bomber on June 22, 1945. Another famous pilot within VMF(N)-533 was Capt. RobertBaird, who is the only nightfighter and Hellcat WWII ace serving with the Marine Corps. He shot down six Japanese aircraft in June and July, 1945. The squadron'scombat name was 'Crystal Gazers', and its aircraft carried black codes instead of the common white ones.

VMF(N)-533 se stala jednou z nejúspěšnějších jednotek amerického námořního letectva, když v období od dubna do srpna 1945 sestřelila celkem 35 nepřátelskýchletadel.„Little Nance“ byla jedním z jejích strojů, které používala během svého působení na ostrově Ie Shima. Jednotce velel LtCol. Marion Magruder, veterán se zkušenostmiv RoyalAir Force, jenž přispěl k celkovému skóre jednotky jedním sestřeleným bombardérem Betty v noci 22. června 1945.V řadách VMF(N)-533 se zrodilo také jediné noční stíhací eso námořní pěchoty. Stal se jím Capt. Robert Baird se šesti sestřely. VMF(N)-533, nesoucí bojové jméno„Crystal Gazers“, používala na rozdíl od ostatních jednotek USMC černé trupové označení letadel.

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E BuNo. 78669, Maj. Bruce Porter, CO of VMF(N)-542, Yontan airfield, Okinawa, May 1945

Hellcat BuNo. 78669 was the personal mount of five kill ace Maj. Bruce Porter, Commanding Officer of VMF(N)-542. He inherited this F6F-5N from his predecessor.The Hellcat carried a big red heart and the white name 'Millie Lou' on the nose. Porter ordered his ground crew to overpaint it immediately after his arrival and a big bottleof Schenley´s whiskey and ‚Black Death‘ in white appeared in its place. Porter downed three Zeros in June/July 1943 over the Solomons while serving with VMF-121.On June 15, 1945 he added two more to his tally, shooting down a Kawasaki Ki-45 'Nick' heavy fighter and a 'Betty' bomber carrying an Ohka suicide rocket plane.

Major Bruce Porter, eso s pěti sestřely na kontě, používal Hellcat BuNo. 78669 jako svůj osobní stroj. Zdědil jej po svém předchůdci na postu velitele VMF(N)-542 a ještěv den svého nástupu do funkce, 23. května 1945, nechal přestříkat stávající kresbu na přídi představující velké červené srdce a bílým nápisem Millie Lou. Místo ní se napravé straně motorového krytu objevila láhev bourbonu Schenley a nápis Black Death. Porter dosáhl svých prvních sestřelů ještě jako pilot Corsairu v červnu a červenci1943 u VMF-121, kdy si v bojích nad Šalamounovými ostrovy připsal tři vítězství. Zbylé dva sestřely, které mu daly možnost zařadit se mezi stíhací esa, dosáhl 15.června 1945 právě v kokpitu tohoto Hellcatu. Nárokoval sestřelení dvoumotorové stíhačky Kawasaki Ki-45 „Nick“ a bombardéru „Betty“ s podvěšenou sebevražednouÓkou, k boji došlo u pobřeží Okinawy. Malé vlaječky symbolizující sestřely se nacházely pouze na levé straně trupu pod kabinou.

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STENCIL DATAF6F-5 Hellcat

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3 sets

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K

16

D2BL P

M

X AAF

Q NO EE

Z

R

BB

W

T

U DD

D1 B

II

Z X

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GG

Y

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T P

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J J J

H

K

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G G

E

CC

V 2 pcs CC S

4 pcs N 2 pcs K

© EDUARD M.A. 2009 www.eduard.com Printed in Czech Republic

F2, F4(F1, F2) 6 sets