Trying to get some retract info for this plane.. what (who has 1) spring air retracts w/ struts are you using with this plane? I am using a RCV120 in it for power. Been searching the net today.. cant find the 4 bladed props for this engine, who has them? 15.75 x 12 4blade?

1) Spring Air does not make rotating retracts. You have to go with CJ, Robinaire, or Sierra
2) Full size Hellcats swing 3-bladed props, not 4 (do a google search). Bolly makes a 16x13 3-bladed prop, which is a good prop for this engine.

there was a prototype that flew with a 4 bladed prop....

Jeff S

Let's see here. Prototype #1, XF6F-1 (02981), was first flown on June 26, 1942. It had a Wright R 2600-16 engine and a Curtiss electric 3-bladed prop which produced 1,600 HP at 2,400 rpm.

The second prototype Hellcat (02982) had a Pratt & Whitney R2800-10 engine and a Hamilton Standard 3-bladed prop.

The first production Hellcat, spinning a Hamilton Standard 3-bladed prop, took to the air just five months after the flight of the second prototype. There were no mention of either prototype spinning a 4-blade prop.

Richard,
I said A prototype - not THE prototype.
There were 2 XF6F-6 prototypes. BuNos 70188 and 70913. Powered by R-2800-18w and 4 bladed prop. Didn't enter production. 417mph claimed.
See F6F Hellcat Walkaround, Squadron Signal Publication, pg 67

Jeff S

Yes, but the CMP or GSP Hellcat is based on a production Hellcat, not a prototype.

Yes, but who's to say Zagzoo isn't modifying it to an example of a Prototype? Or that maybe he just wants to run a 4 blade prop on his engine because he can?

I did a Google search for "XF6F-6 prototypes" and this was the second page displayed: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/christophe.arribat/stoff6f.html

3/4 the way down is this picture and an explanation.


Richard you have a lot to offer this forum and are very helpful but might I politely suggest that, in this particular instance, the tone of your reply was slightly condescending even though this may not have been your intent. jomodguy was quite correct in his statement.

We all learn something new everyday, that is what makes this forum so good and why I come here.

Cheers

Da Orc

Correct if I am wrong.. spring air makes 90 degree rotaters. Ty for the Bolley 16x13 3 blade prop.. no mine isnt a prototype just the way it came from GSP.

If Spring Air does make rotating retracts, they are not listed on their site: http://www.retracts.com/

I have never heard of Spring Air offering 90 deg rotating retracts either, but there were some sets included with Corsair ARFs awhile back that looked a lot like Spring Airs (but they weren't).

I have one of these Hellcats on the way to my door now (big brown truck will deliver), so am interested in mods to these. In particular, I would like to find a better looking/ more scale looking canopy: anyone know of a source for scale accurate 1/7 scale Hellcat canponies?

Zagzoo

I was just making an observation/comment in regard to someone else's post.

In General

From my quick & limited research, as far as I can tell there is very little visual difference between the GSP Hellcat and the "Prototype" with the 4 blade prop other than the propellor obviously. The XF6F-6 "prototype"was a futher development of already in-service Hellcat airframes that they upgraded to a more powerful engine with a 4 blade prop. In this particular case I guess the label "prototype" is a little misleading in that they used an existing proven airframe and "upgraded" the engine. Splitting hairs here probably.

Cheers

Da Orc