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Grumman XF6F-4 Hellcat
Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the Grumman XF6F-4, one of the rare and lesser-known Hellcat prototypes, for inclusion in the US aviation tree in War Thunder. This aircraft was a modified F6F-3 prototype equipped with a turbo-supercharger and four 20 mm cannons. Although promising in concept, it never entered production due to reliability issues with the turbo-supercharger and its overall inferior performance compared to the standard F6F-3.
History
The story of the XF6F-4 begins with the first Hellcat prototype, the XF6F-1 (serial number 02981), which made its maiden flight on June 26, 1942, at Long Island, New York. Initially powered by a 1,700 hp Wright Twin Cyclone radial engine, this aircraft served as a testbed for Navy and Marine Corps evaluations. Shortly after, a second prototype (serial number 02982) was completed with a more powerful 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp SSB2-G engine—essentially a precursor to the R-2800-10. This version was designated XF6F-3 and became the production basis for the F6F-3.
The original XF6F-1 was then refitted with the Pratt & Whitney radial and redesignated as the XF6F-2. It flew with this engine on July 30, 1942. Unfortunately, during another flight on August 17, the aircraft suffered engine failure and crash-landed in a field. The test pilot was seriously injured, and while the aircraft was damaged, it was not beyond repair.
Grumman quickly repaired the prototype and converted it once again, this time into the XF6F-4 by fitting it with a two-stage turbocharged Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 engine. It was also modified with larger landing gear doors and armed with four 20 mm M2 cannons. This configuration was intended to serve as a precursor to a potential production F6F-4 variant.
The XF6F-4 flew on October 3, 1942, and underwent a series of trials later that month. However, the turbocharger proved unreliable, and flight performance showed little improvement over the F6F-3. As a result, the F6F-4 project was not pursued further. The aircraft was converted to a more standard F6F-3 configuration while retaining its turbo-supercharger and four-cannon armament. It was delivered to the US Navy in April 1943 and later transferred to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at Langley Field, Virginia, in the spring of 1944, where it was used in further research.
Despite its shortcomings, the XF6F-4 likely influenced the development of Grumman’s more successful night fighter variants, such as the F6F-3N and F6F-5N, which also featured heavy armament and enhanced systems.
Specifications
Grumman XF6F-4 Hellcat
General Characteristics
Dimensions:
Length: 33 ft 7 in (10.24 m)
Height: 14 ft 5 in (4.39 m)
Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.06 m)
Wing Area: 334 sq ft (31.03 sq m)
Propeller:
Type: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard
Diameter: 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m)
Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 Double Wasp
Configuration: Two-speed turbocharged radial
Power Output: 2,100 hp (1,545 kW)
Fuel/Oil:
Fuel Capacity: 250 US gal (946 L)
Oil Capacity: 19 US gal (71.9 L)
Weights:
Empty: 8,568 lb (3,886 kg)
Gross: 11,062 lb (5,018 kg)
Engine Performance
Takeoff Power:
2,000 BHP @ 2,700 RPM @ sea level
Military Power:
2,000 BHP @ 2,700 RPM @ sea level
1,600 BHP @ 2,700 RPM @ 13,500 ft
Normal Power:
1,600 BHP @ 2,400 RPM @ 5,700 ft
1,450 BHP @ 2,400 RPM @ 13,000 ft
Flight Performance (Military Power)
Power-to-Weight: 0.19 hp/lb (0.31 kW/kg)
Speed:
Sea Level: 335 mph (539 km/h)
Critical Altitude: 359 mph @ 15,800 ft (578 km/h @ 4,815 m)
Altitude Performance:
340 mph @ 1,500 ft (547 km/h @ 457 m)
332 mph @ 7,800 ft (534 km/h @ 2,377 m)
352 mph @ 13,500 ft (566 km/h @ 4,115 m)
339 mph @ 20,000 ft (546 km/h @ 6,096 m)
327 mph @ 25,000 ft (526 km/h @ 7,620 m)
Stall Speed:
Gross Weight: 76.7 mph (123 km/h)
No Fuel: 72.8 mph (117 km/h)
Wing Loading: 33.1 lb/sq ft (161.6 kg/sq m)
Takeoff Distance: 499 ft (152 m) in calm conditions
Climb Performance:
Rate:
3,060 ft/min @ sea level (15.5 m/s)
2,190 ft/min @ 13,500 ft (11.1 m/s @ 4,115 m)
Time to Altitude:
3.8 min to 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
9.4 min to 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Service Ceiling: 32,300 ft (9,845 m)
Range: 860-1,115 mi (1,384-1,794 km)
Armament
Guns:
4 x 20mm AN/M2 cannons
Ammunition: Estimated 60 rpg (240 total)*
Notes:
*Ammo capacity unconfirmed - possibly similar to XP-50’s cannon configuration
Conclusion | Why it should be in the game
This suggestion is part of my broader effort to promote more World War II content in War Thunder. The XF6F-4 would make an interesting and unique premium aircraft in War Thunder. Armed with four 20 mm cannons, it offers considerable firepower, though its flight performance is slightly behind that of the later F6F-5. I believe its gameplay could resemble the quad-cannon Hawker Hurricane variants, offering strong firepower but heavier handling and a slower climb rate.
Related Suggestions
I made suggestions for the F6F-3 (initial production) and XF6F-6 (with a four-bladed prop). If you’re interested in these variants, feel free to check them out!
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[Source: commons.wikimedia.org]
Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat
Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest an F6F-3 Hellcat for the US aviation tech tree and place it in a folder with the F6F-5. It is the first production variant of the F6F family and has extensive service in the US Navy. Despite being overshadowed by its successor, the F6F-5, I believe this F6F-3 is overdue and belongs in the game. I will explain the differences between -3 and -5 below.
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Key Differences (F6F-3…
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Grumman XF6F-6 Hellcat
Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the Grumman XF6F-6, one of the rare Hellcats, for US aviation in War Thunder. It was an F6F-5 prototype with the same engine used in the F4U-4 and a four-bladed propeller. It was the final Hellcat variant projected for the F6F-6 as the third production Hellcat, but it never entered production, as World War II ended and the F8F Bearcat already entered production.
The technical information regarding the XF6F-6 is v…
Sources
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃
2 Likes
looks like the perfect bomber hunter
Sure, why not? This has my +1
+1 from me pls
1 Like
