F6F HellcatThe Grumman F6F Hellcat was a rugged, carrierborne fighter designed in 1942 to overcome earlier shortcomings from the F4F Wildcat and rapidly evolve U. S. naval airpower. Combining a sturdy airframe, the tworow Pratt & Whitney R2800 radial engine (2,000+ hp), robust armor and selfsealing fuel tanks, and simplified maintenance procedures, the Hellcat delivered exceptional durability, high sortie rates, and pilotfriendly handling from crowded carrier