Ade H Posted September 9, 2021 Share Posted September 9, 2021 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ade H Posted September 10, 2021 Author Share Posted September 10, 2021 No Hellcat experts here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Bell Posted September 10, 2021 Share Posted September 10, 2021 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 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ade H Posted September 10, 2021 Author Share Posted September 10, 2021 Thanks, Dana. Would the change in oxygen fitting be obviously different, do you know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don f Posted September 10, 2021 Share Posted September 10, 2021 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. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Beema Posted September 11, 2021 Share Posted September 11, 2021 I think the radio fit was different too for FAA Hellcats. No pictures though.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ade H Posted September 11, 2021 Author Share Posted September 11, 2021 @don f Thank you, Don. Those pictures are amazing and will be very useful. @Grey Beema I thought so, too, although I don't even recall where I picked up the idea. Some of this may have to be guessed and fudged, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don f Posted September 11, 2021 Share Posted September 11, 2021 (edited) 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 September 11, 2021 by don f Fix typo 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ade H Posted September 11, 2021 Author Share Posted September 11, 2021 Thanks again, Don. I've saved your images and they will be studied closely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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