William Henry F6F-5N Night Fighter
September 12, 1944 saw the introduction of the new F6F-5N’s for VF(N)-41 flying from the deck of USS
Independence CVL-23. There were 1,432 of the Night Fighter version built with APS-6 radar housed in a
pod attached to the starboard wing. This provided pilots with a radar picture of another aircraft up to 5.5
miles away and a ship up to 20 miles.
F6F-5N pilots had to undergo a rigorous 29 weeks of schooling where they would learn how to rely totally
on their instruments since they would be flying at night in the dark with no visual reference for navigation or
altitude.
Originally armed with 6 .50 caliber machine guns, 3 per wing, some of the later versions came with 4 .50
caliber machine guns and 2 long barrel Hispano 20mm cannons that replaced the 2 inner .50 caliber guns.
The Night Fighters were given strict orders that once they located a plane on radar they couldn’t fire a shot
until they could get close enough to identify the target as friend or foe. As it turned out most of the F6F-5N’s
flew daytime missions with other versions of the F6F. This would allow the radar equipped Hellcats to
locate the enemy and guide their group towards them.
The top USN Night Fighter ace was Lt. William E. Henry, Executive Officer (XO) of the VF(N)-41 squadron.
He was credited with 6.5 nighttime and 4 daytime victories and the last victory for the USN F6F-5N.
September 12, 1944 saw the introduction of the new F6F-5N’s for VF(N)-41 flying from the deck of USS
Independence CVL-23. There were 1,432 of the Night Fighter version built with APS-6 radar housed in a
pod attached to the starboard wing. This provided pilots with a radar picture of another aircraft up to 5.5
miles away and a ship up to 20 miles.
F6F-5N pilots had to undergo a rigorous 29 weeks of schooling where they would learn how to rely totally
on their instruments since they would be flying at night in the dark with no visual reference for navigation or
altitude.
Originally armed with 6 .50 caliber machine guns, 3 per wing, some of the later versions came with 4 .50
caliber machine guns and 2 long barrel Hispano 20mm cannons that replaced the 2 inner .50 caliber guns.
The Night Fighters were given strict orders that once they located a plane on radar they couldn’t fire a shot
until they could get close enough to identify the target as friend or foe. As it turned out most of the F6F-5N’s
flew daytime missions with other versions of the F6F. This would allow the radar equipped Hellcats to
locate the enemy and guide their group towards them.
The top USN Night Fighter ace was Lt. William E. Henry, Executive Officer (XO) of the VF(N)-41 squadron.
He was credited with 6.5 nighttime and 4 daytime victories and the last victory for the USN F6F-5N.
| Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series (Propeller Powered) HA1105 - Grumman F6F-5N, Hellcat Night Fighter USS Independence CVL-23, Lt. William E. Henry Executive Officer (XO) VF(N)-41, Top USN Night Fighter Ace |
| THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES THE RETAIL VERSION WILL BE MORE REFINED |
| Specifications for the F6F-5N First Delivered: September 1944 Number Built: 1,432 Speed: 376 mph Climb Rate: 3,240 ft/min Ceiling: 37,403 ft Range: 1,090 mi Extended Range: 1,305 mi Weight Empty: 9,153 lb Weight Loaded: 11, 381 mi Maximum Weight: 15,412 lb Crew: 1 Powerplant: 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W 2,175 hp Armament: Early versions – 6 x .50 caliber machine-guns 3/wing Later versions – 4 x .50 caliber machine-guns 2 /wing and 2 x long barrel Hispano 20mm cannons 1/wing replacing the inner most .50 caliber machine-gun. Rounds Per Gun: Each .50 caliber had 400 Each 20mm cannon had 220 |
*Authentic 1/72 scale
*Pre-assembled and
professionally painted
*All markings are pad applied
to insure the best results
*Optional canopies, open or
closed
*Stand provided for optional
display method
*Free spinning propeller
*Maximum metal content with
minimum plastic content
*Highly collectible
*Pre-assembled and
professionally painted
*All markings are pad applied
to insure the best results
*Optional canopies, open or
closed
*Stand provided for optional
display method
*Free spinning propeller
*Maximum metal content with
minimum plastic content
*Highly collectible
