Hellcat F6F3 and F6F5 windows

[warbirdlover]

I see many differences in pics of these two Hellcat versions. The -3 and the -5 had different canopy frames in front but I see windows behind the main sliding section (in fuselage behind) on some and not on others. Were these windows based on the -3 or -5 version or were they due to some other reason? Any help is appreciated.

 

[evangilder]

Welcome aboard warbirdlover. I think it is probably the different versions. I have some Hellcat reference that I can check when I get home.

BTW, what part of Southeastern Wisonsin are you in? I grew up in Muskego.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

From what I understand that was the only major mod on the Hellcat....

 

[warbirdlover]

I lucked on to a website that had the answer. The first 1,000 or so -5's had the window and they removed it for the remaining main build. That appears to me that the -3 would have all had them.

Now for the next question. There was a small "hump" on some cowls right before the exhaust outlet. It seems like the same thing. Some had it some didn't and it doesn't seem to matter if it's a -3 or a -5.

Thanks for the welcome! This seems like a great forum for getting my odd questions answered.

I'm in Waterford which is right down the road (10 miles?) from Muskego.

 

[evangilder]

According to my sources, the rear window was removed on all but a few of the early F6F-5s.

Are you talking about the hump that is just below the cowl flaps on the -3? That was removed on the -5, although I am not sure why that is. I will speculate that the reason for that is there was a change to the exhaust manifold.

Amazing that you are in Waterford. I remember the town a little, but I haven't been back there in probably 15 years or so.