Hobby Master
F6F-5 F6F-5N VF(N)-41
USS Independence
21st September 1944
USS Intrepid CV-11William Henry F6F-5N Night Fighter
September 12, 1944 saw the introduction of the new F6F-5N’s for VF(N)-41 flying from the deck of USS
Independence CVL-23. There were 1,432 of the Night Fighter version built with APS-6 radar housed in a
pod attached to the starboard wing. This provided pilots with a radar picture of another aircraft up to 5.5
miles away and a ship up to 20 miles.
F6F-5N pilots had to undergo a rigorous 29 weeks of schooling where they would learn how to rely totally
on their instruments since they would be flying at night in the dark with no visual reference for navigation or
altitude.
Originally armed with 6 .50 caliber machine guns, 3 per wing, some of the later versions came with 4 .50
caliber machine guns and 2 long barrel Hispano 20mm cannons that replaced the 2 inner .50 caliber guns.
The Night Fighters were given strict orders that once they located a plane on radar they couldn’t fire a shot
until they could get close enough to identify the target as friend or foe. As it turned out most of the F6F-5N’s
flew daytime missions with other versions of the F6F. This would allow the radar equipped Hellcats to
locate the enemy and guide their group towards them.
The top USN Night Fighter ace was Lt. William E. Henry, Executive Officer (XO) of the VF(N)-41 squadron.
He was credited with 6.5 nighttime and 4 daytime victories and the last victory for the USN F6F-5N.
Pre assembled professionally painted
authentic scale 1/72
open or close canopy interchangble undercarriage
item ha1105
Our Price £12.99
