On April 4, 1944 the new F6F-5 took to the air. It was a much improved version of the
F4F Wildcat. The designers gave the new plane a redesigned engine cowl for the
engine that was now water-injected. The injection increased take off performance by
10% and increased the armament capabilities. Production of the F6F-5 lasted until
November 1945 when Grumman had rolled out more than 900 “5”s. The UK received
some of these aircraft under the Lend-Lease Act and they were designated Hellcat Mk.
II. This 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.

On 15 December 1943, VOF-1 was formed and in mid-August 1944 joined Allied
Forces for the invasion of Southern France named “Anvil-Dragoon”. The operation was
designed to act like a giant pincer and cut off enemy forces still in Western Europe. Air
support was provided by Royal Navy carriers as well as two from the USN carrying the
only Hellcats to see operations in the ETO. One USN flattop was the USS Tulagi with
F6F aircraft of VOF-1 (Observation Fighter) Squadron 1 on board. VOF-1 was specially
trained to target spot for the naval guns during the pre-landing barrage for an
amphibious landing. The pilot would locate an enemy gun and relay the information to
the Allied ships that would then fire at this target. If the target was missed the pilot
would then provide information to his gunners who would make the necessary
corrections. Along with the target spotting the VOF-1 managed to down 6 German
aircraft with Ens. Edward W. Olszewski and Ens. Albert R. Wood each scoring two
while flying “white 8”.

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:
6 X 12.7mm (0.5 inch) wing-mounted machine guns
2 X 1,000-lb bombs, or six 127mm (5-inch) rockets

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