This could be the F6F-3E or it could very well be the XF6F-3N Prototype.
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On the 18th of April 1942, the United States Navy established Project Affirm, as means to develop suitable night fighting equipment and tactics, they wanted the aircraft to be able to operate from carriers so ultimately single engine aircraft were selected for the program.
Urgency for night fighters increased during the Solomons campaign, where the presence of “Washing Machine Charlie” was costing the marines their sleep. To help counter the night raids the USAAF sent the 6th Night Fighter Squadron with the new P-70 night fighters (A-20 Havocs with a 2cm nose mounted radar) with disappointing results. Limited success was achieved through the use of P-38s in conjunction with ground-based searchlights and batteries.
The Douglas P-70 Nighthawk housed an SRC-540 in a glazed nose, and had 4 Cannons
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In April 1943 VF(N)-75 and VMF(N)-532 were both borne from the requirements of Project Affirm, the new Vought F4U Corsair fighter was selected as the principal fighter, the F4U-2 was fitted with an Arbre Intercept radar in the right wing, accompanied by the deletion of the third gun on the same wing, resulting in 5 machine guns instead of the usual six. Both VF(N)-75 and VMF(N)-532 were sent to as land-based units in the Solomons, with favorable results leading to a decrease of enemy presence at night.
Chance-Vought F4U-2 clearly showing the deleted outboard machine gun on the right wing.
Source
Even though the Corsair proved itself as a formidable night fighter, there were still concerns as well as doubts to its ability to successfully operate from a carrier deck. Eyes turned to the Grumman F6F Hellcat, which entered service early in 1943 and proved its worth as a formidable carrier fighter. Minor changes were needed for the Hellcat to become a night fighter, 18 F6F-3E were produced and visibly were unchanged in appearance - with most the changes being in the cockpit.
The AN/APS-4 3 cm Radar was chosen as the Hellcats radar, it proved effective in Search, Navigation, and Bombing but fell short when applied for Airborne Interception. It was unconventionally housed in Radar pod instead of a fairing as seen on the Corsairs. Mounted near the starboard wing with a Mk-51 bomb rack, possibly where the nickname ‘Rabomb’ came from. The pod could be jettisoned in an emergency.
F6F-3E cleary showing its AN/APS-4 rabomb
Source
F6F Hellcat in Detail & Scale Vol. 26 (1987)
Specifacations:
Note to the Reader
The F6F-3E differs very little from the F6F-3 and with how scarce information is I am using normal F6F-3 specifications
Crew: 1
Length: 55’-7" (55 feet 7 inches / 4.7 meters)
Height: 13’-1" (13 feet 1 inches / 4 meters)
Wingspan: 42’-10" (42 feet 10 inches / 13.1 meters)
Wingspan Folded: 18’-2" (18 feet 2 inches / 2.5 meters)
Powerplant: P&W R-2800-10W
Armament: 6 - .50 cal 2400 rds. total
Ceiling: 58800 ft (18 km)
Speed: 314 mph (505.3 km/h) - sea level
Gross Weight: 12575 lbs (5703.9 kg)
Empty Weight: 9207 lbs (4176.2 kg)
Fuel: 250 gal (946.4 liters)
Oil: 19 gal (71.9 liters)
SAC Photos
More Images
F6F-3E Model Kit
AN/APS-4 3cm Rabomb on the F6F-3E
Source
Walk Around F6F Hellcat - Walk Around Number 9 (1996)
The radar screen of the F6F-3E, notice how it differs quite different from the F6F-3N
Source
F6F Hellcat in Detail & Scale Vol. 26 (1987)
- Yes
- No
Sources:
F6F Hellcat in Detail & Scale Vol. 26 (1987)
Walk Around F6F Hellcat - Walk Around Number 9 (1996)
F6F Hellcat in Action - In Action No. 216 (2009)
Airplane Characteristics and Performance - F6F-3 - Main directory
The Development of Night Fighters in World War II | Naval History Magazine - Winter 1989 Volume 3 Number 1
US Navy WWII Night-fighters - WarHistory.org
VMF(N)-532 - Wikipedia
Vought F4U Corsair - Wikipedia
See Also: