The most successful naval fighter aircraft in history, the Grumman F6F Hellcat accounted for nearly 5200 kills during WWII. The Hellcat featured self-sealing fuel tanks, a bullet- resistant... More > windscreen, and hydraulically-operated landing gear. The plane was rugged, and carried over 200 pounds of armor. Despite this, it was highly maneuverable and fast, thanks to a 2000 hp engine. Nearly 12,300 F6Fs were made during the war. They first saw action during the Tarawa invasion, and subsequently flew in every battle of the Pacific campaign. Hellcats accounted for nearly 75% of all aircraft kills in the Pacific. Originally created by the U.S. Navy, this flight operating manual taught pilot's everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. It's a wonderful guide to one of history's great planes. Please note, this manual has been slightly reformatted and some color diagrams appear in black and white. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.< Less
From enlistment in 1942, through cadet aviation training, joining VBF-12/Air Group 12 as a SB2C Helldiver pilot, later switching to the F6F Hellcat, embarking on the USS Randolph (CV-15), and... More > conducting air operations including fighter sweeps over Tokyo, combat missions over Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and fighting off kamikaze attacks. 20 B&W and 4 color photos.< Less
This book covers the design, development and implementation of radio controlled U.S. Naval target aircraft drones. From 1917 through 1956, the book takes you right to the action as several NOLO (no... More > live operator) aircraft dive on American ships to give the anti-aircraft gunners a real airplane to shoot at and improve their gunnery skills.
Stories from pilots who were there at the time plus over 100 photographs from Reginald Denny's TDD series to the last piston engine drone, the Grumman F6F-5K Hellcat. Almost all of the drones and their controllers are pictured.< Less
This book covers the design, development and implementation of radio controlled U.S. Naval target aircraft drones. From 1917 through 1956, the book takes you right to the action as several NOLO (no... More > live operator) aircraft dive on American ships to give the anti-aircraft gunners a real airplane to shoot at and improve their gunnery skills.
Stories from pilots who were there at the time plus over 100 photographs from Reginald Denny's TDD series to the last piston engine drone, the Grumman F6F-5K Hellcat. Almost all of the drones and their controllers are pictured.< Less
