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FAA Hellcat Mk.I cockpit alterations by Blackburn


Ade H

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I found this thread from a decade ago about the alterations which Blackburn's staff made to F6F-3 Hellcats destined for the FAA.

 

Is this information still representative of current knowledge?

It mentions a Blackburn chart: is that viewable online?

I have Bert Kinzey's book about Hellcats, but it hardly mentions the FAA Hellcats: do any books cover them well?

Did anyone ever find out where that map pocket went?

 

If you can answer these questions, you have my earnest thanks and big respect.

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Hi Ade,

 

I've no direct knowledge of the cockpit changes, but I suspect two changes were made: the US instrument arrangement would have been altered to meet the UK's "basic six" and the oxygen system would have been changed from the US demand system.  The proper seat belts should have been installed at the factory, though I've no documentation on that.

 

Cheers,

 

 

Dana

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Maybe these will be of some help.  A Hellcat II.  For USN Hellcats, there was little difference between the cockpit layout of the F6F-3 vs. the F6F-5.  Perhaps the same applies to the Hellcat I vs. Hellcat II.

 

Don

 

P.S. - The map pocket appears to have been relocated from the left side next to the seat to the upper left side.  And, I wonder if the incendiary bomb was actually carried.

 

UK-Front.jpg

 

UK-Left.jpg

 

UK-Right.jpg

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The cockpit images above indicate the installation of the following:

 

TR 1196 HF

R 1147 Homing receiver

ABK IFF ( IFF Mk. III, I believe)

TR 1143 VHF

 

Operational requirements would determine the radio equipment needed.

 

Don

Edited by don f
Fix typo
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