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.

VF-84 was known as “Wolf Gang and was established on May 1, 1944. Most of its
members were former VF-17 “Jolly Rogers” and the Commanding Officer was Lt. Cdr.
Roger Hedrick the former XO of VF-17. Because so many members were ex “Jolly
Rogers” Hedrick tried to have VF-84 bare the name but was refused and during 1944-
1945 VF-84 was called “Wolf Gang”. VF-84 took part in the final assaults on the
Japanese at Iwo Jima, raids on Tokyo, the destruction of the Yamato, Okinawa. The
squadron was disestablished October 8 1945.

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

The P version was a small number of F6F-5s were converted into photo-
reconnaissance aircraft. The had camera equipment fitted in the rear fuselage.

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