Number of Pilots in a World War II Carrier Squadron? How many F6F Hellcat pilots were in one squadron?

[boin106]

How many carrier pilots were in one (1) F6F Hellcat fighter squadron on an aircraft carrier in World War II?

 

[EwenS]

How many carrier pilots were in one (1) F6F Hellcat fighter squadron on an aircraft carrier in World War II?

Difficult question to answer. Most sources indicate aircraft numbers in squadrons not pilots (there were generally more aircrew than aircraft). After that it depends on:-
1. Which navy. USN or RN
2. When - the shape of air groups and numbers of aircraft, incl fighters, evolved over time.
3. Type of carrier (CV/CVL/CVE) & related air group size
4. Type of air group - USN night CAGs were generally a bit smaller.

USN
A typical Essex class CV in 1943/44 had a single fighter squadron (VF) with 36 aircraft. By 1945 that would typically include 2 F6F-5P photo aircraft and 4 F6F-5N night fighters. From late 1944 a second fighter squadron (designated VBF) was added to the air group at the expense of TBM & SB2C in the air group. Generally no photo planes or night fighters in the VBF unit. Either none, one or both squadrons would fly the F6F in 1945, the others flying the F4U.

In terms of pilots, Air Group 12 deployed on the Randolph in Jan 1945 with 56 pilots in each of its fighter squadrons, VF-12 & VBF-12. The USN plan was that each air group would have sufficient personnel on initial deployment to cover losses over a 6 month period. By then it's efficiency would be falling as fatigue set in. The whole air group would then be replaced with a fresh air group.

A typical Independence class CVL Air Group included a VF squadron with 27 F6F.

The Sangamon class CVE fighter squadrons received F6F during 1944, as did some of the later Commencement Bay class CVE in 1945. Their VF squadrons had 18 F6F.

RN
The earliest Hellcat squadrons in late 1943 had 10 aircraft and 12 pilots, with the intention of having two squadrons on each carrier. By 1945 this had become a single squadron with 24 aircraft on each CVE. The fleet carrier Indomitable had two squadrons in 1944/45 which expanded to roughly 14-16 aircraft each.

Supplies of Hellcats to the RN under Lend Lease were limited due to US demands in the Pacific, so until about mid-1945 there was always a shortage of the type especially for Indomitable. RN squadrons did not have anywhere near the same level of spare pilots compared to the USN.

The RN also formed 2 specialist PR squadrons (6 aircraft each) and 2 NF squadrons (12 aircraft each).

The RN was only finally able to change over to USN style CAGs and planned replacement thereof in June 1945.