I need some tips/tactics with the Hellcat.

[Primate]

Well, I have just recently begun to play the game and I would like to become a Hellcat pilot.  So, any of you out there who are aces with the Hellcat, would you kindly give a rookie some tips on how to survive and be effective with the Hellcat.

[Kingonads]

I am no ace in the Heck kitty but I will give some advice, keep the speed up above 200mph and watch out for the nasty stall, other than that is a great plane with a good load out for ordanence.


                              Hodo

[Lephturn]

Ahhh the Hellcat.  One of my all-time favourite planes, and one of my favourites in AH as well.  Currently I'm flying the P-38, but I spent a few tours in the F6F-5 as well.  I love the Hellcat.  Now by nature I'm a Jug pilot... the P-47 is my first love, and will always be my favourite.  However, there are certain times when a P-47 is just not the right plane.  Notably, point defense, or any short-distance fight where I won't have time to climb up to or above the enemy before I engage.

What are the F6F-5's strengths?

1.  Diving ability.  This is likely it's best attribute.  The Hellcat can accelerate in a dive very well, from low speed even better than some of the "best" diving planes like the Jug and the F4U.  It has a high terminal speed, and great high-speed handling.  If handled gently it retains a great deal of energy in even a shallow dive, and you can maintain high speeds for longer than many other planes.  Given an altitude advantage starting out, nothing will escape from you in the short term.  You can get close enough for a shot if you start higher or faster.

2.  Energy retention.  The F6F-5 is an E fighter at heart.  It can use the vertical and good e-fighting maneuvers to retain energy longer than most other planes.  It is not as good in this regard as say an F4U or a P51, but it is still damn good.

3.  Accelleration.  This is one of the better accellerators in the allied stable.  That's not to say it's great... but it's better than the rest of the allied iron with the exception of the P-38.  It's accelleration REALLY kicks in using 0 G dives to capitalize on the Kitty's great diving ability.

4.  Decent turning ability.  The Hellcat can turn... with E.  What I mean is that this is one of the better turning planes in the game... and those it can't out-turn it can normally beat by using good E fighting and BnZ techniques.  When in doubt, the Hellcat can normally escape by diving from those planes that out-turn her.  Spits, Zekes, and possibly Georges are dangerous... you can't out-turn them.  You can normally out-run them or out-dive them though.  Be wary of the N1k2 George.  That thing is your most dangerous adversary when flying the Hellcat.  It is very similar in basic abilities, but turns better.  It has 4 cannons that can kill you with a snapshot, and it has fantastic accelleration.  Even with an E advantage, be very very careful attacking this plane.

5.  Decent climb.  Not that you want to try to out-climb most other planes... but it's a decent climber.  It won't take you forever to get to fighting alt like it does in the Jug or the Hog.

6.  .50 cals... 6 of 'em.  Best gun in the game.. 'nuff said.  They need a short convergence like 275 all guns for best effect, and a bit of time on target to be effective.  They have a great trajectory though, and you can make nice deflection shots with them.  It has enough ammo for you to take those snapshots too, even if they don't pay off like they would with cannons.

7.  It's one of the toughest planes in the game.  You can take some big hits in the Hellcat and still make it home.  When you are on the deck and out of options, you can risk a head-on attack and have good odds vs. many other planes that are not as tough, especially the Japanese and German birds.  Don't try this versus Hispano armed planes.. you will die.    You will still likely die, but in the Kitty the other fellow often dies first... and sometimes you make it home.

There is a catch though when turning in the Kitty.  She has a N-A-S-T-Y accellerated stall.  It's abrupt and fairly violent.  That's OK though... it forces you to fly the Hellcat the way it needs to be flown.  Fast, and as an E fighter.  Keep your speed up, and watch your situation.  If you get bounced by a Spit with more E, you are in deep doo.  With more E than your enemies, you can kill any of them.  If they try to run, you can dive on them and kill those that thing you are not fast enough.  If you turn it (vs a plane like the La7 for example) try to conserve E by using lag pursuit and vertical moves.  Don't just flat turn and pull the stick in to your gut... when you run out of E you will be easy pickings for the next guy.

Have a go at the Hellcat.  It's a great little plane in a furball.  Keep your SA high and when you are low on E in a furball, dive to 50 feet and exit the fight, then climb for E and come back.  Most folks don't treat the Hellcat as a high priority threat I find, so you can often escape situations that look pretty hopeless.  

[ 07-27-2001: Message edited by: Lephturn ]

[Primate]

Cool thanks for the tips.

[SpitLead]

Personally, I consider Hellcats as "meat on the hoof" (i.e. an easy kill).  In part because I think most people don't really know how to fly it effectively.  That said, it may also be because I do fly the Spit and N1K a lot, two of the Hellcat's most dangerous opponents.  These can outturn the Hellcat and have good guns, speed, climbing and acceleration.  When I fly the F4Us I get good snapshots with the 4-hispanos and just extend if necessary.

Lephturn gave a very good review of the strengths and weaknesses.  He's right on.  And the stall is VERY nasty.  The worst in AH in my opinion.  And, when ANY airplane is at an 'e' disadvantage to the Spit it's in VERY deep doo doo indeed!    

[ 07-27-2001: Message edited by: SpitLead ]

[ 07-27-2001: Message edited by: SpitLead ]

[Mathman]

Heya Primate,

I fly the Hellcat quite a bit, so if you need help online or want to wing, come over to the Knights.  If you got any questions about it, feel free to ask.  Though I am far from an expert on the F6F, I can give you some good ideas on how to approach different planes and situations.

Always willing to help my fellow Hellcat Disciples.  

-math

[bloom25]

I fly the hellcat for missions off the cvs.  It climbs better than the f4u when loaded is the main reason why.  I believe the rear view is also ever so slightly better (though still a major weakpoint.)

If you avoid stalling the hellcat, which is nasty and if you are low, usually results in death, you can do ok.  Try to dive onto your prey.  Doing this you can make a few passes at the majority of planes in the arena.

One plane to avoid at all costs is the n1k.  I've learned from experience that the only (and very slight) advantage the hellcat has over this plane is roll rate.  N1ks can outdive, outclimb, out zoom-climb, out turn (easily), outgun, and even out run you on the deck.    Your best option if you must fight one of these one on one co-energy, would be to run for friendlies screaming on CH2.    Versus any most other planes you can win if you fight smart.  I'd be very careful going up against the n1ks, spit V, and la7.  Especially the n1k and la7 can give you fits.  Against the la7 do not attempt to fight them unless you above 8000 ft.  Fortunately their war emergency power is useless above this height and their performance dramatically falls off.

[Steven]

For fun, three of us were fighting it out and at one point it was me in an F6F vs 2 Zekes.  I was at a loss as to what to do.  I could make really wide circles never gaining any turn on them though keeping them from gaining distance on me.  I thought the Hellcat could actually outturn a Zeke above 200 mph or something like that.  How?

Anyway, I have little experience with AH's Hellcat but love the history of the plane and would love to learn the thing.  Can anyone upload some Hellcat films so I can see how to successfuly handle her?

-Puke
332nd Flying Mongrels

[Lephturn]

Heh... nothing out-turns a Zeke.  Nothing.  

Sure... the F6F-5 could theoretically out-turn the zeke at high speed... and by that I mean over 250.  The problem is how do you get the Zeke to fly that fast, he'll just slow down and turn inside of you.

Actually vs. a Zeke you are in a very good position, in that you can basically disengage at will by diving at high speed.  So long as you keep a few K beneath your wings, you can use a 0G high speed dive to escape from the Zekes.  Now the Hellcat CAN beat the Zekes, but you have to do it the same way they did in the pacific.  1.  Don't turn with them... ever.  2.  Maintain high speed... above 250.  3.  Start with more energy/higher than they are.  4.  When in trouble, DIVE.  Get your plane to the deck headed back toward friendlies at 500 Mph and those Zeke's won't see you again.

Basically, you need to use Boom and Zoom tactics vs. the Zekes.  You must start with superior energy, then use a combination of fast attack runs and vertical maneuvering to maintain your advantage.  A well-flown Zeke can potentially frustrate you forever with well-timed breaks, but you can effectively stay out of his guns as well by using the vertical and maintaining a superior energy state.

What happens when the enemy Zeke is co-E or higher than you, or if he somehow gains your 6 and you don't have the E advantage to zoom up out of range?  Extend.  0G gentle dive to high speed, then level off when he is falling behind.  You can use a high-speed gentle climb to gain E on the Zeke, then when you have enough advantage you can reverse and attack again from above him.

Drop me a note at sconrad@hfx.eastlink.ca.  If you like we'll meet in the training arena and take turns in Hellcat vs. Zeke engagements.  Once you learn how to do it, you can stay almost un-touchable in the Hellcat vs. a Zeke.

[Eaglecz]

Hi
im not hellcat pilot...

But i put 4 or 5 hispanos from 300 under hellcat and he was quite well flying after it ... somebody else done him , but its realy tought plane  

I like hunting hellcat in YakU, its quite easy target   .... so WATCH high Yaks... are danger    

[ 07-31-2001: Message edited by: EagleC ]

[Lephturn]

Yes, the Hellcat is one of the toughest in the game, and that can really save you from time to time.  

Oh, and ANY higher plane is very dangerous in a Hellcat.  The Kitty really needs an E advantage to work with if you expect to win.  She can still be tough when caught at a disadvantage, but versus good all-around planes like the Spit IX, the N1K2, and the Yak9U she needs an E advantage or superior pilot skill to get the job done.  

[454Casull]

I have just started trying out this flight sim and have really just started flight simulations overall. I am into my 2nd week of the tryout and have been amazed at the help and advice that alot of people in this sim have given me already. Although I get shot down almost all the time, it's nice to hear from the guys that hit you about how difficult I was to hit or how well I flew in that particular situation as well as being told by the guy on my side how well I was flying, even thoguh I really don't know what I'm doing. I guess I make it look good. That being said, I have become determined to learn to fly the Hellcat, one way or the other. I so far have found it to be better at base attacking than a dogfighter. I seem to be able to handle it very well on bomb runs, better than most other attack fighters I've tried here, and the plane itself seems to be able to carry it's far share of ordinance while not being too cumbersome. So, basically, I would like to learn how to be a better dogfighting pilot in this plane. I plan on being here for a while, not just this 2 week period, and would like to know if anyone would have the time and patience to teach me a few basic defensive maneuvers to start with and then maybe some offensive dogfighting skills. I live in CT (eastern time zone) and have a limited schedule, so if anyone is interested, maybe we could work something out.

[Lephturn]

We have a training staff to help out with just this sort of thing.  

One of the central timezone trainers will contact you via private message on the bbs and you folks can set up some training.

Also, if you see me online in the main or in the Training Arena... give me a holler.  I'll be glad to wing up with you in Hellcats anytime.

[raven 8]

these planes are pretty cool when ur making dive bombing runs on ships. they pull up REALLY well from a steep dive.

ud be surpriced at how accurate u can dive bomb. i guess all that speed has something to do with it. and with the hellcat a few pins from the Ack wont send ur wings flying.


rav

[Nifty]

Originally posted by Lephturn:
Heh... nothing out-turns a Zeke.  Nothing.  

hehe, we were on the deck too, so he couldn't dive away.  I finally got him by going vertical and swooping down on him to close the distance.  Wasn't really fair being 2 on 1 and low alt.

With alt, the kitty will never die to a zeke.  zekes seem to lose responsivness and compress starting around 380mph.  (I augered in an earlier round because of this!  I'm used to higher speeds!   )  Because of this, you can easily escape, the zeke literally can't follow you.