F6F Performance

Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment
Boscombe Down

15 September 1943

Hellcat F.N. 322
(Double Wasp R-2800-10)

Brief Performance trials

SUMMARY

Climb performance
Max. rate of climb in Main supercharger gear = 2260 ft/min at 5400 feet.
Max. rate of climb in Aux. Lowspeed supercharger gear= 1880 ft/min at 20500 feet.
Time to reach 10,000 ft. = 4.65 minutes
Time to reach 20,000 ft. = 10.0 minutes
Change gear height= 9200 feet

Level speed performance
Max. T.A.S. at max. permissible power (rich mixture) = 315 mph (274 knots) at 2000 ft. in Main supercharger
Max. T.A.S. at max. permissible power (rich mixture) = 371 mph (322 knots) at 18700 ft. in Aux. Low Speed supercharger.
Max. T.A.S. at max. weak mixture power = 288 mph (250 knots) at 11,100 ft. in Main supercharger.
True air Speed at 24,000 ft. at max. weak mixture power= 335 mph (291 knots in Auxiliary Low Speed supercharger
 
Performance on Climb
Level Speed Performance

For the full report see HERE


U.S. Naval Air Station
Patuxent River, Maryland
March 16, 1944

Model F6F-3 Airplane - Periodic Performance Check
TED No. PTR-2125

F6F-3 No. 40164

SUMMARY

ModelF6F-3XF6F-3F6F-3
Airplane number401640298207746
LoadingOverload
Fighter
Normal
Fighter
Overload
Fighter
Gross weight - lbs.12,24311,36412,225
 
Military Power Performance23,200
 
    Airplane critical altitude - ft.23,20024,550
    Maximum speed at airplane critical altitude - MPH379.5377.5
    Service ceiling - ft.37,000
    Maximum rate of climb at sea level - FPM2,900
 
Normal Power Performance
 
    Airplane critical altitude - ft.24,55023,700
    Maximum speed at airplane critical altitude - MPH375373.5
    Service ceiling - ft.36,40038,500
    Maximum rate of climb at sea level - FPM23302500
    Take-off distance, no wind - ft.715702
    Take-off distance, 25 knot wind - ft.335327
    Take-off speed - MPH86.085.5
 
Stalling Speed
 
    Clean - power on - MPH97.096.5*
    Clean - power off - MPH98.598.5*
    Landing condition power on - MPH79.582.0*
    Landing condition power off - MPH85.585.5*
 
* Overload Fighter gross weight = 12,155 pounds
 
Airplane Critical Altitudes & Maximum Speed at Airplane Critical Altitudes
Time to Climb & Rate of Climb

For the full report see HERE


Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
May 1, 1944
Report No. 2422B

Detail Specification
For
Model F6F-3 Airplane

SUMMARY

 Fighter
(Normal)
Fighter
(Overload)
 
Fuel (gals.)182250
Gross Weight (lbs.)11506     12415    
High Speed at sea level (MPH)312309
High Speed at 5500 ft. (MPH)330327
High Speed at 10500 ft. (MPH)343340
High Speed at 15000 ft. (MPH)357354
High Speed at 16100 ft. (MPH)355352
High Speed at max. engine rated alt. 21500 ft. (MPH)373370
High Speed at airplane critical alt. 23500 ft. (MPH)379376
High Speed at airplane critical alt. 25000 ft.
        at 1650 HP military rating (MPH)*
391388
Stalling speed at sea level with full
        load and without power (MPH)
     78.4      81.1
Stalling speed at sea level with full load
        less fuel without power (MPH)
     74.6      75.9
Stalling speed at sea level less 1/2 fuel
        without power (MPH)
     76.6      78.6
Initial rate of climb at sea level (ft./min)3650   3600  
Time to climb to 10,000 ft. (min.)*         3.1         3.2
Time to climb to 20,000 ft. (min.)*         7.0         7.2
Service ceiling (ft.)35500     34400    
Endurance at high speed (hr.) at 12000 ft. alt.             .84           1.15
Maximum endurance (hr.) at 12000 ft. alt.           6.04           8.03
Maximum range (mi.) at 12000 ft. at. 1100   1500  
Average speed for maximum range (MPH) at 12000 ft. alt.200200
Average speed for maximum end (MPH) at 12000 ft. alt.152152
Take-off distance in calm (ft.)*549628
Take-off distance in 15-knot wind (ft.)*351402
Take-off distance in 25-knot wind (ft.)*242277
 
    * Military Power
       Time to climb uses military power for five minutes.

For the more of this report see HERE


Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment
Boscombe Down

22 August 1944

Hellcat FN. 360
(Double Wasp R-2800-10)

Level speed performance in
auxiliary high supercharger gear

SUMMARY

Level speed performance

Auxiliary high speed supercharger gear
 Weight
11500 lb.
Weight
10850 lb.
  Max. true airspeed (mph) at full throttle
  height at max. permissible power
373375
  Full throttle height at max. permissible power2360023600
  True airspeed (mph) at max. permissible power at: 30,000 ft.
  True airspeed (mph) at max. permissible power at: 35,000 ft.
352
307
357
320

Level Speed Performance

For the full report see HERE


U.S. Naval Air Station
Patuxent River, Maryland
September 1, 1944

Model F6F-3 Airplane - Periodic Performance Check
TED No. PTR-2125

F6F-3 No. 42633

SUMMARY

Airplane Number4263340164
LoadingOverload
Fighter
Overload
Fighter
Gross weight12,41612,243
 
Military Power Performance:
 
    Airplane critical altitude - ft. 2250023200
    Maximum speed at airplane critical alt. - MPH378.0379.5
    Service ceiling - ft.38,00037,000
    Maximum rate of climb at sea level - FPM30202900
 
Stalling Speed:
 
    Clean-power on - MPH98.097.  
    Clean-power off - MPH100.598.5
    Landing condition power on - MPH80.079.5
    Landing condition power off - MPH84.585.5
 
Take-off Data:
 
    Take-off distance, no wind - ft.760715
    Take-off distance, 25 knot wind - ft.365335
    Take-off speed - MPH84.585.5
    BHP at take-off1840
 
Performance Characteristics - Maximum Speed
Time to Climb & Rate of Climb

For the full report see HERE


U.S. Naval Air Station
Patuxent River, Maryland
September 7, 1944

Performance Test Each 1000th Airplane
(TED No. PTR-2125)

F6F-5 No. 58310

SUMMARY

ModelF6F-5F6F-3
Airplane Number5831040164
LoadingOverload
Fighter
Overload
Fighter
Gross weight -lbs12,42012,243
 
Military Power Performance:
 
    Airplane critical altitude - ft. 23,10023,200
    Maximum speed at airplane critical alt. - MPH391.0379.5
    Service ceiling - ft.37,10037,000
    Maximum rate of climb at sea level - FPM2,6602,900
 
Normal Power Performance:
 
    Airplane critical altitude - ft. 24,10024,550
    Maximum speed at airplane critical alt. - MPH386.5375
    Service ceiling - ft.36,50036,400
    Maximum rate of climb at sea level - FPM20202330
 
Take-off Performance:
 
    Take-off distance, no wind - ft.755715
    Take-off distance, 25 knot wind - ft.355335
    Speed - MPH86.586.0
    Airplane configurationFull flapsFull flaps
        Speed - RPM27002700
        Cat - °C 24--
        BHP (torquometer1850--
 
Stalling Speed:
 
    Clean -power on - MPH96.097.0
    Clean - power off - MPH98.098.5
    Landing condition - power on - MPH79.079.5
    Landing condition - power off - MPH84.585.5
 
Performance Characteristics - Manifold Pressure, Brake Horsepower, True Airspeed
Climb Curves

For the full report see HERE


U.S. Naval Air Station
Patuxent River, Maryland
November 27, 1944

Final Flight Report
of
Production Inspection Trials
(TED No. BIS 2116)
on
Model F6F-3 Airplane No. 25892

SUMMARY

Airplane Number029820298204934
Gross Weight11,36411,36411,573
PowerNormalMilitaryMilitary
 
1.Maximum Speed (high blower) : 
 Brake horsepower155016501650
 Airplane critical alt.-ft.23,70022,30022,300
 Maximum speed at ACA-MPH373.5377.5377.5
 
2.Service Ceiling-ft38,40038,90037,800
 
3.Maximum rate of climb at sea level - FPM250031203070
 
Airplane Number02982
Gross Weight11,364
 
4.Stalling speed at sea level:
 Clean condition-power on - MPH91.5
 Clean condition-power off - MPH93.5
 Landing condition-power on - MPH76.0
 Landing condition-power off - MPH80.0
 
Airplane Number029820298204934
Gross Weight11,36412,15311,573
 
5.Take-off data: (Full flap)
Distance in no wind-ft.
565655605
 Distance in 25 knot wind - ft255310270
 Take-off speed - MPH83.085.581.5
 
Performance Characteristics - True Airspeed, Brake Horsepower
Performance Characteristics - Time to Climb, Rate of Climb

For the full report see HERE


U.S. Naval Air Station
Patuxent River, Maryland
April 24, 1945

Evaluation of Maximum Practicable Combat Power Rating
For the Model F6F-3 Airplane on

Model F6F-3 Airplanes Nos. 04934, 41420, 42633
TED No. PTR-0414

SUMMARY

A.     Maximum Speed:

  (1)At normal combat power RPM (2700)
with No. 25 drill size water jet.

Carburetor impact pressure setting - ins. Hg.31.532.833.935   
Airplane critical altitude - ft:
      High Blower18,000   16,900   16,000   15,080   
      Low Blower13,100   12,000   11,020   10,150   
Maximum speed at airplane critical alt. - MPH:
      High Blower381   382   382382.5
      Low Blower372.5373   373.5374   
Brake horsepower available:
      High Blower1942   2015   20782140   
      Low Blower2108   2185   22502315   
Manifold pressure - ins. Hg.
      High Blower57.760.062   63.8
      Low Blower58.160.362.264.1

  (2)At normal combat power RPM (2700)
with No. 18 drill size water jet.

Carburetor impact pressure setting - ins. Hg.31.532.833.935   
Airplane critical altitude - ft:
      High Blower17,800   16,650   14,650   14,750   
      Low Blower12,720   11,630   10,720   9,800   
Maximum speed at airplane critical alt. - MPH:
      High Blower378.5379.5380   380   
      Low Blower369.5370   370   370.5
Brake horsepower available:
      High Blower1920   2000   2060   2120   
      Low Blower2085   2153   2215   2275   
Manifold pressure - ins. Hg.
      High Blower57.459.861.863.7
      Low Blower58.160.462.364.4

B.     Climb:

  (1)At normal combat power RPM (2700)
with No. 18 drill size water jet.

Carburetor impact pressure setting - ins. Hg.31.532.833.935   
Climb critical altitude - ft:
      High Blower15,600   14,500   13,500   12,500   
      Low Blower10,600   9,500   8,500   7,500   
Maximum rate of climb - FPM:
      High Blower2720   2850   2970   3080   
      Low Blower3090   3220   3350   3470   
 
Maximum Speed
Rate of Climb

For the full report see HERE


U.S. Naval Air Station
Patuxent River, Maryland
April 25, 1945

Final Flight Report
of
Production Inspection Trials
(TED No. BIS 2154)
on

Model F6F-3 Airplane No. 42874

SUMMARY

A.Performance (overload fighter - gross wt. = 12,680 lbs.)
 
      PowerNormalMilitary
 
1.Maximum Speed (high blower) : 
 
      Brake horsepower15801670
      Airplane critical alt.-ft.24,10023,400
      Maximum speed at ACA-MPH371.5376.0
 
2.Service Ceiling-ft38,10038,600
 
3.Maximum rate of climb at sea level - ft/min24903080
 
4.Stalling speed at sea level:
 
      Clean condition-power on - MPH98.5
      Clean condition-power off - MPH100.5
      Landing condition-power on - MPH78.5
      Landing condition-power off - MPH86.0
 
5.Take-off data: (full flap)
 
      Distance in no wind-ft.700
      Distance in 25 knot wind - ft320
      Take-off speed - MPH82.5
      BHP at take-off2000
 
Performance Characteristics - True Airspeed, Brake Horsepower
Performance Characteristics - Time to Climb, Rate of Climb

For the full report see HERE


Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment
Boscombe Down

11 May 1945

Hellcat II JV.224
(Double Wasp R-2800-10)

Climb and level speed performance with
and without water injection.

SUMMARY

Climb performance

Standard height (ft) and remarksMax. rate of climb (ft/min.)
With water
injection
Without water
injection
  2000-11,200 (FTH in Aux. Low gear)
  with water injection
3160(2510)   2460 *
15,0002510(2510)   2460 *

Level speed performance

Standard height (ft)
and remarks
Max. speed TAS mph (knots)
With
water injection
Without
water injection
12000354 (308)335 (291)
18600377 (328)357 (310)
21800367 (319)367 (319)

Performance Climbs
Level Speed Performance

For the full report see HERE


U.S. Naval Air Station
Patuxent River, Maryland
July 9, 1945

Production Inspection Trials

Model F6F-3 Airplane No. 41588
TED No. BIS 2116

SUMMARY

 Overload Fighter
(clean)
Gross weight - lbs12,440
Maximum speed at high blower a.c.a. - MPH382
High blower airplane crit. alt. - ft.22,400
Service Ceiling - ft.37,700
Maximum rate of climb at S.L. - ft.3040
 
Performance Characteristics - True Airspeed
Climb Characteristics

For the full report see HERE


U.S. Naval Air Station
Patuxent River, Maryland
July 14, 1945

Performance Test Each 1000th Airplane
(TED No. PTR-2125.1)

Model F6F-5 Airplane No. 72731

SUMMARY

ModelF6F-5F6F-5
Airplane Number7273158310
LoadingOverload
Fighter
with rocket
launchers-twin
pylon
Overload
Fighter -
single
pylon
Gross weight - lbs12,640        12,420        
 
Military Power Performance:
    Airplane critical alt. ft. 23,900        23,100        
    BHP @ ACA1625     1655     
    Maximum speed at airplane critical alt. - MPH376.5391.0
    Service ceiling - ft.37,600        37,100        
    Maximum rate of climb at sea level - FPM2,910    2,660    
    BHP @ S.L. (52.5" Hg. MAP)1905     1850     
 
Normal Power Performance:
    Airplane critical alt. ft. 24,700        24,100        
    BHP @ ACA1560     1555     
    Maximum speed at airplane critical alt. - MPH372.5386.5
    Service ceiling - ft.37,200        36,500        
    Maximum rate of climb at sea level - FPM2180     2020     
    BHP @ S.L. (MAP-in.Hg.)1,630 (45.0)1,500 (44.0)
 
Performance Characteristics - Manifold Pressure, Brake Horsepower, True Airspeed
Rate of Climb & Time to Climb

For the full report see HERE


Supplemental

Grumman Fighter F6F-3, No 25820 Army Air Forces Material Command, 26 August 1943
Flight Tests of the Lateral Control Characteristics of an F6F-3 Airplane Equipped with Spring Tab Ailerons NACA
Hellcat Mk II JV.224 Brief handling trials with spring tab ailerons A. & A.E.E.
F6F-3 Airplane Characteristics & Performance
Standard Aircraft Characteristics, F6F-5 "Hellcat"
F6F-3 Aircraft Data Sheet
Hellcat I Aircraft Data Sheet
Hellcat I Aircraft Data Sheet
Hellcat II Aircraft Data Sheet
Hellcat II Aircraft Data Sheet

WWII Aircraft Performance