Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA1101
Grumman F6F-5, USS Essex
Minsi III, David McCampbell
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Hobby Master HA1101
McCampbell’s F6F-5
Of all USN planes in WWII PTO
(Pacific Theater of Operation), the
McCampbell F6F-5 is the most
noteworthy. Cmdr. David
McCampbell flew with VT-15
"Satan's Playmates" and was an
ace with 34 air and 20 ground
victories, CAG (Commander Air
Group) of the “Fabled Fifteen”
onboard USS Essex, CV-9 and
recipient of 5 of the highest honors
that the U.S.A. can bestow on a
pilot. Hobby Master has produced
a model of his “Minsi III” with the
highest quality and detail that this
great aviator deserves. The fine
paint, markings and quality of
material that has become a
hallmark of Hobby Master’s work
can all be found with this master
piece of die-cast. The canopy
opens, detachable fuel tank,
rockets and other great features
await to be discovered. Even the
34 Meatballs (victory markings) as
they were referred to can be seen.
History of the F6F-5 Hellcat
In 1942-43 the F4U program was bogged down with delays and the USN needed a top
notched carrier-based fighter. The Grumman F6F-5 was exactly what they were looking
for with the first production model flying in October 1942 and 12,274 Hellcats built by the
end of the war. In terms of size, the Hellcat was the second largest single engine fighter
of the war, being just slightly smaller than the Republic P-47 "Thunderbolt".
The Hellcat was more than up to the task of taking on the Japanese planes, it could fly
about an average 55 mph faster than the Zero. When in combat at 20,000 feet it was 70
MPH faster while between 10,000 and 20,000 feet, it had a comparable rate of climb.
Like so many other American fighters the F6F was heavier and more powerful than the
Zero so if needed the pilot could nose over, apply max power and out dive his opponent
before he became a statistic. F6Fs were credited with over three-quarters of the Navy's
air-to-air victories. The F6F Hellcat had the highest Kill/Loss ratio of any American fighter
plane in Army, Navy, Marine or Air Force service during WWII. US Navy pilots
affectionately referred to the Hellcat as the "Aluminum Tank".
With six wing mounted .50 caliber Browning M2 machine guns, 3 per wing and each with
400 rounds of ammunition, they could lay down 6 deadly strings of metal that few
Japanese pilots would survive as their planes were ripped apart.
The Hellcat could carry two 1,000 pound bombs with its most destructive weapons being
six 5-inch HVAR's (High Velocity Aircraft Rockets). With its armament, power, range (250
gallons capacity in internal tanks and a 150 gallon belly drop-tank) and assortment of
weapons and equipment the Hellcat was able to carry out a wide array of missions: air to
air combat, strike plane escort, combat air patrol, long range search, ground support,
night fighting (F6F-5N), and photo recon (F6F-5P). When it was all over the F6F was one
of the most feared and successful planes in WWII.
Cdr. David McCampbell Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat “Minsi III”
Promoted to CAG ( Commander – Air Group ) Air Group 15 February 1944, on USS
Essex CV-9, VF-15 called themselves “Satan’s Playmates”. This put him in charge of the
entire Essex air group – bombers, fighters and torpedo planes. This group would earn
the nickname the “Fabled Fifteen”.
In recognition of his leadership of the “Fabled Fifteen”, outstanding feats downing 34
enemy planes, his mission of October 24, 1944 where he and another pilot took on
overwhelming numbers of Japanese planes and turned them back with McCampbell
accumulating 9 of his 34 kills, McCampbell became the USN top ace and was awarded:
Congressional Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit, and the
Distinguished Flying Cross.
ammo bay panel in
left wing (picture
above) will not be
on the production
version, it will be a
solid wing.
ammo bay panel in left wing
(picture above) will not be
on the production version, it
will be a solid wing.
THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION
PICTURES NOT THE RETAIL VERSION
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Specifications (F6F-5):
Engine:
2000hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W Double Wasp
18-cylinder radial
piston engine
Weight:
Empty 9150 lbs.,
Max Takeoff 15,410 lbs.
Dimensions:
Wing Span: 42ft. 10in.
Length: 33ft. 7in.
Height: 13ft. 6in.
Performance:
Maximum Speed at 23,500 ft: 380mph
Cruising Speed at 6,000 ft: 168mph
Ceiling: 37,300 ft
Range: 1,530 miles with 150-gallon drop tank
Armament:
Six 12.7mm (0.5 inch) wing-mounted machine guns
Two 1,000-lb bombs, or six 127mm (5-inch) rockets
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