F6f5 question

[Zacherof]

Does anyone have any information regarding the number of cannon armed hellcat that actually saw combat? (excluding the night fighter version) 

[Jabberwock]

As far as I know, the only version of the F6F to be armed with the 20mm was the -5N.

I don't think the Hispano was used in daylight of any versions of the Hellcat.

[Chalenge]

None saw combat. There were a number of different modifications done at Pearl for testing, but they never went forward.

Our military was convinced that against the readily flammable Japanese aircraft that a greater number of projectiles was better than harder hitting projectiles.

[Saxman]

As far as I know, the only version of the F6F to be armed with the 20mm was the -5N.

I don't think the Hispano was used in daylight of any versions of the Hellcat.

This. The F6F-5N replaced the inboard pair of .50cal with a pair of 20mm cannon. No other F6F variant used them.

[Ack-Ack]

This. The F6F-5N replaced the inboard pair of .50cal with a pair of 20mm cannon. No other F6F variant used them.

There were also a number of F6F-5Ps with the inboard pair of .50s removed and replaced with 20mm cannons.

ack-ack

[wardog19]

Does anyone have any information regarding the number of cannon armed hellcat that actually saw combat? (excluding the night fighter version)  

None saw combat. There were a number of different modifications done at Pearl for testing, but they never went forward.

Our military was convinced that against the readily flammable Japanese aircraft that a greater number of projectiles was better than harder hitting projectiles.

         Thank you, Chalenge.  An actual answer

[Ack-Ack]

None saw combat. There were a number of different modifications done at Pearl for testing, but they never went forward.

Our military was convinced that against the readily flammable Japanese aircraft that a greater number of projectiles was better than harder hitting projectiles.

The F6F-5N saw quite a bit of action in both night and day missions.

This is a picture of a Hellcat squadron getting ready to take off from USS Ticonderoga against targets in Manila Bay.  The two leading aircraft are F6F-5Ns.


Another picture of a F6F-5N getting ready to take off from USS Steamer Bay.


F6F-5N Hellcats with VMF(N)-541 on Alalops Island, Ulithi Atoll 1945


White 88 Hanger Queen getting ready to take off from USS Block Island


Don't know where you got none saw combat.

ack-ack

[Saxman]

I think he was talking about regular F6F-5 testbeds with 20mm in place of the .50cal.

[Zacherof]

I think he was talking about regular F6F-5 testbeds with 20mm in place of the .50cal.

Tis exactly what im  refering to. And I'm wondering cause I've read in slot of books that the f5 had the capability but like spits, the guns weren't used. I was going to wish for the 20's but at this point it is clear that a firm no will be stated from multiple parties. 

[Baumer]

Well according to the USN statistics complied after the war, the F6F fired over 7,000 rounds of 20mm ammunition on combat missions in 1945 (Jan-Aug). I suspect all of that usage would be attributed to -5N's, I haven't come across anything significant to support -5P usage in large enough quantities that would meet HTC's minim requirements. So it would probably be a dead end wish. 

[Chalenge]

The F6F-5N saw quite a bit of action in both night and day missions.

. . .

He did not ask about the -5N. 

[Chalenge]

Tis exactly what im  refering to. And I'm wondering cause I've read in slot of books that the f5 had the capability but like spits, the guns weren't used. I was going to wish for the 20's but at this point it is clear that a firm no will be stated from multiple parties. 

I am just working through several books on the period, one of which is by the test pilot on the F4U project (one of the test pilots anyway). Accordingly, the Marines established very early on that the .50 caliber equipped aircraft were more efficient at starting fires on aircraft. Fires were important at the time because with the relative turning rates the time in which a pilot could score hits was comparatively low. So, while weight-of-fire was important in Europe, in the Pacific it was rate-of-fire that was more important. Cannon equipped Corsairs did not really take with the Navy until Korea (after WWII anyway) for that very reason.

The 20mm aircraft were important at night when the goal was to knock down heavier aircraft, which could understandably take more damage and still fly.

[Zacherof]

Have their ever been a night time scenario?

[Saxman]

Have their ever been a night time scenario?

Yes.

 

[Zacherof]

Those hit sprites look perty!