I just ordered plans, cowl, canopy, etc. from Ziroli to build a Hellcat this winter. I'm just wondering if the typical tri-colour blue scheme was usually the -3 or the -5 version of the Hellcat? I may do the Hellcat with the bloody grin painted on the cowl. Can I build a -5 version with the tri-colour blue scheme and find correct documentation? I'd like to find one that had a #13...my lucky number.
Thanks.

The Fighter Collection at Duxford in England operate a restored F6F-5 that fits almost all of your criteria. Although it is a -5 version it is painted as a -3 in the tri-color scheme and wearing the number 19. (Alex Vracius's wartime mount #19) I don't think any -5 Hellcats came from the factory in tri-color camo but I could be wrong on that point.

I was leaning towards getting the -3 version cowl and canopy just to make sure the tri-colour scheme would be correct. Thanks for posting the photo of the Hellcat...great shot.

I have been working on a Jerry Bates version for a while.
The aircraft I am "replicating" is an early -5 which had the -5 cowl and still had the
windows behind the cockpit... just food for thought.

I built a Jerry Bates Hellcat 3 years ago...it is a great flying airplane. I love the Hellcats enough that i want another one.

Hi,I have found a site for aircraft paint schemes which seems valuable. http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww2/f/576/3/6/12Here is a version of the three color on a 5 model, check out the home page . There must have been a transition period during production, however the dark bluesingle color is the predominant paint scheme on the 5 model from what I have found. I have a lot of interest in the Hellcat, had a family member on the production line, and thought about making an RC one at some point.