Number 5: The Grumman F6F Hellcat
The Grumman Hellcat was a major improvement over the effective F4F Wildcat and helped to put the Japanese Zeroes on their heels.
by Staff Writer

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Synopsis: The F6F Hellcat was the definitive Pacific fighter in the Second World War in terms of the American carrier battle groups. Replacing the capable but still outclassed F4F Wildcats, the F6F Hellcat offered up an increase in firepower, performance and reliability that matched and surpassed anything the IJN could field. The Hellcat would go on to account for no less than 75% of all Allied air kills of in the theater at the hands of United States Navy airmen.

Pros: Six .50 caliber guns; astounding 19:1 kill ratio; awesome power from the Double Wasp Pratt & Whitney engine; awesome-as-hell nickname.

Notoriety: Proved to be an "ace maker" for American pilots in the Pacific Theater, accounting for some 5,156 kills (US Navy/Marine Corps combined) credited to 307 Hellcat aces.

Total Production: 12,272

Operators: France, United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay.

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