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Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat


Image by Chris Devers

Quoting Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum | Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat:

The Grumman F6F Hellcat was originally conceived as an advanced version of the U.S. Navy’s then current front-line fighter, the F4F Wildcat (see NASM collection). The Wildcat’s intended replacement, the Vought F4U Corsair (see NASM collection), first flown in 1940, was showing great promise, but development was slowed by problems, including the crash of the prototype.

The National Air and Space Museum’s F6F-3 Hellcat, BuNo. 41834, was built at Grumman’s Bethpage, New York, factory in February 1944 under contract NOA-(S)846. It was delivered to the Navy on February 7, and arrived in San Diego, California, on the 18th. It was assigned to Fighter Squadron 15 (VF-15) on USS Hornet (CV12) bound for Hawaii. On arrival, it was assigned to VF-3 where it sustained damage in a wheels-up landing at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. After repair, it was assigned to VF-83 where it was used in a training role until February 21, 1945. After numerous transfers 41834 was converted to an F6F-3K target drone with the installation of sophisticated radio-control equipment. It was painted red with a pink tail that carried the number 14. Its mission was to be used in Operation Crossroads – the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. It flew on June 24, 1946, with a pilot, on a practice flight and was launched, unmanned, soon after the first bomb test. Instrumentation on board and photographic plates taped to the control stick obtained data on radioactivity. Three more manned flights preceded the final unmanned flight on July 25, 1946, which evaluated the first underwater explosion. Records indicate that exposure of this aircraft to the radioactive cloud was minimal and residual radiation is negligible.

F6F-3K 41834 was transferred to NAS Norfolk and logged its last flight on March 25, 1947, with a total of 430.2 flying hours. It was assigned to the National Air Museum on November 3, 1948, and remained at Norfolk until October 4, 1960, when it was moved by barge to Washington and placed in storage. In 1976 this Hellcat was loaned to the USS Yorktown Museum at Charleston, South Carolina. A superficial restoration was performed at the museum, but because of the harsh environment and its poor condition the Hellcat was returned to NASM on March 16, 1982. In 1983, it was sent to Grumman Aerospace where a team of volunteers completely restored the aircraft. In 1985, it was shipped back to the Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration and Storage Facility in Suitland, Maryland, and put in storage. NASM’s F6F-3 Hellcat is scheduled to be displayed in the new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy center at Dulles International Airport in Virginia in 2004.

Transferred from the United States Navy.

Manufacturer:
Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation

Date:

1943

Country of Origin:

United States of America

Dimensions:

Overall: 338 x 1021cm, 4092kg, 1304cm (11ft 1 1/16in. x 33ft 5 15/16in., 9021.2lb., 42ft 9 3/8in.)

Physical Description:

Heavy armor plate, reinforced empennage, R-2800-10W engine, spring tabs on the ailerons (increased maneuverability), could carry rockets as well as bombs.

Admired Services Electronic Components has become an elite distributor of Military, Aerospace and Industrial electronic components by consistently supplying the highest-quality parts demanded by the market.  As a specialist in the obsolete components service market, quality is always the top priority.  Preventative steps are taken to greatly reduce the risks of counterfeit products from continuing on through the supply chain.  Though there is no way to completely remove all fraudulent parts, Admired Services strives to provide the most reliable products available.

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Millions of parts are available from thousands of the most recognized manufacturers in the world, both past and present.  An offering of such a wide variety greatly increases the chance that customers can acquire the components they need to keep their manufacturing schedules on time.  Below you will find some of the most commonly supplied product lines.  Each product line has many sub-categories that can be found by visiting the ASEC Line Card page on the website.

Aerospace components and hardware are distributed completely and accurately by request.  Connectors, fasteners and pins are just a few items acquired by aviation customers regularly.

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Switches of a variety of categories can be acquired at discounted prices.  Digital, diode, limited, power, programmable and toggle switches will be shipped directly to the customer’s location and packaged safely to ensure the highest quality.

Integrated circuits for commercial, industrial and defense contracts are constantly changing in availability with innovation and increased demand.  Admired Services is an excellent source for obtaining such parts, regardless of specifications and production year.

A quality-focused operational policy and setting the industry standard for service allows Admired Services Electronic Components to meet and exceed customer expectations.  Removing the stress of procuring obsolete electronic components and hardware is a valuable trait of a true partner within the supply chain.  ASEC is a HUBZone Certified, Woman Owned Small Business registered with the CCR and SBA.

Toby Burgandy is an experienced quality control specialist within the Military electronics supply industry.  Concentration on obsolete and discontinued products.

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Distributor of Military and Aerospace Components Specializing in Discontinued Parts