Author Topic: F6F-5N Hellcat Nightfighter (Read 1976 times)

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #30 on:** April 17, 2007, 12:51:04 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Squire

Operationally, most VFN and VMF(N) units found the extra 20mm was of little extra use, as the Japanese a/c they fired on would "light up" just fine from 6 x 50s (mixed incindiery, tracer, and ball loads). There was no problem of lack of firepower.

On the contrary...they were happy with the 20mm as it made the first pass more likely to result in the bogies death at night as there was a good possibility of losing the target as the Hellcat came around for a 2nd pass.

ack-ack

Squire · « **Reply #31 on:** April 17, 2007, 02:03:14 PM »

I only go with what sources I have, since I wasnt there.

Barret Tillmans book on the Hellcat doesnt seem to support that they were that happy with it. Most units had jamming problems, which is why it was not widely used.

I also read the book of Major Porter, USMC ("Ace") the only night ace from the US Marines, and he wasnt a fan of the 20mm either, despite his mount "Black Death" being so armed.

Night attacks involved closing to fairly short range on an unsuspecting bomber or fighter, and blasting them, vs Japanese a/c, they trouble of "making a 2nd pass" would have been a doubtfull problem.

Krusty · « **Reply #32 on:** April 17, 2007, 02:33:52 PM »

Humble: You wouldn't need a "conversion kit".

Every f6f was capable of this mount. Every f6f. Not just the Ps. That means any additional mounts, brackets, bolts, what-not, were already on the ships, as part of the normally stocked spare parts for the existing f6fs. If one got shot up they'd need to remount it. Or if gun vibrations from the 50cals damaged the mounts they'd need to replace them.

They'd already have them.

Just because they were shipped doesn't mean they were used that way. Look at SpitVc with 4x20mm. Most were simply shipped that way, then had the outboard pair of 20mms removed, used as spare parts.

So far, seems that only a handful actually used the 20mm. The exception rather than the rule.

Just my take on the matter.

humble · « **Reply #33 on:** April 17, 2007, 02:55:42 PM »

Krusty,

Look at the text above, thats from the enterprise's own combat patrol report. The F6F-5N's (10) they recieved did not have the conversion kit and they needed to use the machine shop to fabricate whart they needed. I assumed you just swapped em in and out as well....but obviously the mountings were significantly different.

Bodhi · « **Reply #34 on:** April 17, 2007, 03:09:56 PM »

If anyone cares:

The erection and maintenance manual says:

This conversion to mixed battery, or to .50 calibre installation, can be accomplished by a four-man team in approximately four hours.

Thats 16 man hours... an awfully long time.

Bodhi · « **Reply #35 on:** April 17, 2007, 03:16:06 PM »

Here is a picture of the mixed battery from the exterior and the gun bay: