Hellcat questions for F4UDOA et al

[Shuckins]

F4UDOA,
 
Howdy pard.  

A few months back you graciously e-mailed me a copy of some performance data from the F6F-5 pilot's manual published by Grumman.  In one table, performance figures were for the fighter were listed for normal power, military power, and war emergency power under normal, overload, and fighter bomber weight conditions.  The critical altitude for the R2800 appeared to be between 22,000 and 23,000 feet regardless of loadout.

In previous posts we have already discussed the performance discrepancies evident between the Hellcat's airspeed indicator and its actual speeds.  It is not my purpose to beat that dead horse again.  Let me make a few observations and then follow on with some questions.

Many sources list the F6F-5's top speed at 380mph.  That appears to be the most commonly accepted figure.  The only figure listed on the table provided by the pilot's manual that approximates that speed comes under conditions of fighter overload (12,483 pounds) at 23,000 feet.  However, according to the table the actual top speed of the Hellcat is 401mph at a normal weight of 11,494 pounds at 2,000 feet under war emergency power.

The top speed of the experimental XF6F-6 with the R2800-18w engine is 417mph.  That is 37mph faster than the 380mph that is usually listed as the Hellcat's top speed.  That substantial increase in performance jibes well with some comments I have read over the years about the great boost in performance that the R2800-18w bestowed on the Hellcat.  The performance gain was supposed to approximate the gains of the F4U-4 over previous models of the Corsair.

Follow me so far?  My first question is this...Is the 417mph speed figure for the XF6F-6 under normal or war emergency power?  Secondly, if the 37mph performance gain is accurate, and the 401mph figure for the -5 was the true top speed of the -5 Hellcat, wouldn't the actual top speed of the XF6F-6 have been 438mph under war emergency power?

Are there any sources where the data for these aircraft can be checked?

Appreciate any help you can give me on this.

Regards, Shuckins

[Shuckins]

Sorry, had a few phrases that I had to clarify...didn't really need two posts about the same subject .  

Shuckins

[F4UDOA]

Shuckins,

How you doin? <== In my best Jersey accent;)

Anyway the stuff I emailed you I believe (I have to check) came from Grumman Engineering (Via Francis Dean Author of AHT). They were projected performace figures.

However the top speed of the F6F-5 I believe was 400MPH based on another report which I aquired recently the A6M5 vrs F6F-5, F4U-1D, FM-2, P-38L, P-47D and P-51D. I that report the F6F-5 reached 409MPH. However I also have the British Eval that shows the top speed in the 380MPH range.

In addition I have just received the second copy of the F6F manual that I have. The first was incomplete by comparison. The second was a 1947 revision and has a complete performance appendix in the back. I ordered it from Essco manuals.

 http://esscoaircraft.powerfulhosting.com/prod.itml/icOid/9143

Unfortunately I have never seen any real data on the F6F-6. However Corky Meyer Grumman Test pilot still writes for Flight Journal magazine. If I were looking for data I would email him ASAP. These guys are few and far in between to contact.

Good luck!!

If you need any scans let me know. The Brit report or the A6M report I can send ASAP.

[Shuckins]

F4UDOA,

Good to hear from you!  Appreciate your reply.  I would love to see the Brit and A6M reports, thanks.  You can reach me at my son's e-mail address:

cyberopts@yahoo.com

Would you happen to have Corky Meyer's e-mail address?  Can he be reached through Flight Journal, or do they bother with that kind of thing?

Thanks again for you help>

Regards, Shuckins

[F4UDOA]

I have contacted many people however never Corkey Meyer. I think you can reach him through flight journal. I have wanted to do that for a while but I haven't gotten around to it. I will send those files ASAP.

Let me know if you have any luck!!