According to Tillman's "Hellcat", pilots preferred the F6f-5 because it had WEP and could carry a considerable bomb load. Squadrons had problems with mixes of f6f-3's and f6f-5's as the former used for fuel to attain the same speed.
The only thing I can think of is that P&W did have some trouble debugging WEP on the 2800-10. Also, you use WEP, the engine requires more inspection and maintenance. That migh thave been a problem with front line units.
-Blogs
Originally posted by joeblogs
I'll check there when I get home.
Recall the F6f-5 was comfortably faster than its opposition so speed did not matter. It was not carrying 2,000lbs of bombs so it WEP wasn't needed for take-off.
When speed did become essential with th ekamikazi threat, USN substituted the corsair.
-Blogs
