| HOBBY MASTER COLLECTOR |
| Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series (Propeller Powered) HA1101 - Grumman F6F-5, USS Essex, Minsi III, David McCampbell |
Hobby Master HA1101 McCampbell’s F6F-5
Of all USN planes in WWII PTO (Pacific
Theater of Operation), the McCampbell F6F-5
is the most noteworthy. Cmdr. David
McCampbell flew with VT-15 "Satan's
Playmates" and was an ace with 34 air and 20
ground victories, CAG (Commander Air
Group) of the “Fabled Fifteen” onboard USS
Essex, CV-9 and recipient of 5 of the highest
honors that the U.S.A. can bestow on a pilot.
Hobby Master has produced a model of his
“Minsi III” with the highest quality and detail
that this great aviator deserves. The fine
paint, markings and quality of material that
has become a hallmark of Hobby Master’s
work can all be found with this master piece of
die-cast. The canopy opens, detachable fuel
tank, rockets and other great features await to
be discovered. Even the 34 Meatballs (victory
markings) as they were referred to can be
seen.
Of all USN planes in WWII PTO (Pacific
Theater of Operation), the McCampbell F6F-5
is the most noteworthy. Cmdr. David
McCampbell flew with VT-15 "Satan's
Playmates" and was an ace with 34 air and 20
ground victories, CAG (Commander Air
Group) of the “Fabled Fifteen” onboard USS
Essex, CV-9 and recipient of 5 of the highest
honors that the U.S.A. can bestow on a pilot.
Hobby Master has produced a model of his
“Minsi III” with the highest quality and detail
that this great aviator deserves. The fine
paint, markings and quality of material that
has become a hallmark of Hobby Master’s
work can all be found with this master piece of
die-cast. The canopy opens, detachable fuel
tank, rockets and other great features await to
be discovered. Even the 34 Meatballs (victory
markings) as they were referred to can be
seen.
History of the F6F-5 Hellcat
In 1942-43 the F4U program was bogged down with delays and the USN needed a top notched carrier-based fighter.
The Grumman F6F-5 was exactly what they were looking for with the first production model flying in October 1942
and 12,274 Hellcats built by the end of the war. In terms of size, the Hellcat was the second largest single engine
fighter of the war, being just slightly smaller than the Republic P-47 "Thunderbolt".
The Hellcat was more than up to the task of taking on the Japanese planes, it could fly about an average 55 mph
faster than the Zero. When in combat at 20,000 feet it was 70 MPH faster while between 10,000 and 20,000 feet, it
had a comparable rate of climb. Like so many other American fighters the F6F was heavier and more powerful than
the Zero so if needed the pilot could nose over, apply max power and out dive his opponent before he became a
statistic. F6Fs were credited with over three-quarters of the Navy's air-to-air victories. The F6F Hellcat had the
highest Kill/Loss ratio of any American fighter plane in Army, Navy, Marine or Air Force service during WWII. US Navy
pilots affectionately referred to the Hellcat as the "Aluminum Tank".
With six wing mounted .50 caliber Browning M2 machine guns, 3 per wing and each with 400 rounds of ammunition,
they could lay down 6 deadly strings of metal that few Japanese pilots would survive as their planes were ripped
apart.
The Hellcat could carry two 1,000 pound bombs with its most destructive weapons being six 5-inch HVAR's (High
Velocity Aircraft Rockets). With its armament, power, range (250 gallons capacity in internal tanks and a 150 gallon
belly drop-tank) and assortment of weapons and equipment the Hellcat was able to carry out a wide array of
missions: air to air combat, strike plane escort, combat air patrol, long range search, ground support, night fighting
(F6F-5N), and photo recon (F6F-5P). When it was all over the F6F was one of the most feared and successful
planes in WWII.
In 1942-43 the F4U program was bogged down with delays and the USN needed a top notched carrier-based fighter.
The Grumman F6F-5 was exactly what they were looking for with the first production model flying in October 1942
and 12,274 Hellcats built by the end of the war. In terms of size, the Hellcat was the second largest single engine
fighter of the war, being just slightly smaller than the Republic P-47 "Thunderbolt".
The Hellcat was more than up to the task of taking on the Japanese planes, it could fly about an average 55 mph
faster than the Zero. When in combat at 20,000 feet it was 70 MPH faster while between 10,000 and 20,000 feet, it
had a comparable rate of climb. Like so many other American fighters the F6F was heavier and more powerful than
the Zero so if needed the pilot could nose over, apply max power and out dive his opponent before he became a
statistic. F6Fs were credited with over three-quarters of the Navy's air-to-air victories. The F6F Hellcat had the
highest Kill/Loss ratio of any American fighter plane in Army, Navy, Marine or Air Force service during WWII. US Navy
pilots affectionately referred to the Hellcat as the "Aluminum Tank".
With six wing mounted .50 caliber Browning M2 machine guns, 3 per wing and each with 400 rounds of ammunition,
they could lay down 6 deadly strings of metal that few Japanese pilots would survive as their planes were ripped
apart.
The Hellcat could carry two 1,000 pound bombs with its most destructive weapons being six 5-inch HVAR's (High
Velocity Aircraft Rockets). With its armament, power, range (250 gallons capacity in internal tanks and a 150 gallon
belly drop-tank) and assortment of weapons and equipment the Hellcat was able to carry out a wide array of
missions: air to air combat, strike plane escort, combat air patrol, long range search, ground support, night fighting
(F6F-5N), and photo recon (F6F-5P). When it was all over the F6F was one of the most feared and successful
planes in WWII.
Cdr. David McCampbell Grumman F6F-5
Hellcat “Minsi III”
Promoted to CAG ( Commander – Air Group )
Air Group 15 February 1944, on USS Essex
CV-9, VF-15 called themselves “Satan’s
Playmates”. This put him in charge of the
entire Essex air group – bombers, fighters
and torpedo planes. This group would earn
the nickname the “Fabled Fifteen”.
In recognition of his leadership of the “Fabled
Fifteen”, outstanding feats downing 34 enemy
planes, his mission of October 24, 1944
where he and another pilot took on
overwhelming numbers of Japanese planes
and turned them back with McCampbell
accumulating 9 of his 34 kills, McCampbell
became the USN top ace and was awarded:
Congressional Medal of Honor, Navy Cross,
Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit, and the
Distinguished Flying Cross.
Hellcat “Minsi III”
Promoted to CAG ( Commander – Air Group )
Air Group 15 February 1944, on USS Essex
CV-9, VF-15 called themselves “Satan’s
Playmates”. This put him in charge of the
entire Essex air group – bombers, fighters
and torpedo planes. This group would earn
the nickname the “Fabled Fifteen”.
In recognition of his leadership of the “Fabled
Fifteen”, outstanding feats downing 34 enemy
planes, his mission of October 24, 1944
where he and another pilot took on
overwhelming numbers of Japanese planes
and turned them back with McCampbell
accumulating 9 of his 34 kills, McCampbell
became the USN top ace and was awarded:
Congressional Medal of Honor, Navy Cross,
Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit, and the
Distinguished Flying Cross.
ammo bay panel in left
wing (picture above) will
not be on the production
version, it will be a solid
wing.
wing (picture above) will
not be on the production
version, it will be a solid
wing.
ammo bay panel in left wing (picture
above) will not be on the production
version, it will be a solid wing.
above) will not be on the production
version, it will be a solid wing.
| THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES THE RETAIL VERSION WILL BE MORE REFINED |
