Hobby Master 1/32 F6F-5: USS Essex

Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat "Minsi II" David McCampbell's second "Minsi" Hellcat, USS Essex, 1944 The Hellcat made its combat debut August 1943 and in two years carrier based F6Fs are credited with downing 4,947 aircraft. If land based and Marine Hellcat kills are added it brings the total to 5,156, an incredible figure. This total represents 80% of all kills giving a kill-to-loss ratio of 19 to 1 another outstanding achievement. By Spring 1944 there were a total 4,403 F6F-3s built. Often referred to as the "Aluminum Tank" it was also aptly called "The Ace Maker" because of men like Vraciu and McCampbell. In Late June 1944 David McCampbell received F6F-5 Hellcat that he named Minsi II. LCDR McCampbell flew this aircraft until mid September 1944 and was unable to score one victory during those 3 months. This new aircraft turned out to be a very problematic machine and must have been built on a Monday or Friday. In early September 1944 this aircraft was traded in for the new F6F-5 McCampbell named "Minsi III". McCampbell ended the war with a total of 34 victories.

Developed by Grumman to combat the Japanese Zero, the carrier-based F6F Hellcat was first flown on June 26, 1942. The Hellcat was a far more potent force than its predecessor, the Wildcat. It had increased fuel capacity, a low-mounted wing, wide landing gear, strengthened cockpit armor plating, and increased ammunition capacity. The big Double Wasp engine was set three degrees off the center axis, giving the aircraft a tail-down attitude in flight. Pilots' stories of "mostly holes where the airplane used to be" underscore the Hellcat's ability absorb unbelievable punishment and still return to the ship.

Hobby Master "1:32 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
• Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
• Optional extended/retracted landing gear.
• Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
• Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.