World War II Database

1.  David Stubblebine says:
8 Feb 2012 08:39:46 PM

This is a 1944 photo. Alexander Vraciu would end up as the fourth highest scoring US Navy ace of the war with 19 kills.

2. Bill says:
8 Nov 2012 02:23:40 PM

THE WELL DRESSED HELLCAT PILOT:

BY LATE 1943 AND 1944 MOST HELLCAT PILOTS WERE ISSUED THE AN-H-15 TROPICAL FLYING HELMET W/B-7 GOGGLES.
SUMMER FLYING SUIT OVERALLS, B-4 MAE WEST LIFE JACKET, SEAT TYPE AN-6510 PARACHUTE OR EQUIVALENT, KNIFE, FIRST AID KIT, CANTEEN, SHOULDER HOLSTER FOR A M1911 .45 CAL. AUTOMATIC OR A COLT OR SMITH & WESSON .38 CAL. REVOLVER, FOOTWARE BLACK REGULATION LOWQUARTERS(SHOES)SOME PILOTS AND AIRCREWS ALSO WERE ALSO ISSUED GI COMBAT BOOTS.

3.  Bill says:
4 Jan 2016 05:24:15 PM

HELLCAT: ACE MAKER

Lt.(jg) Alex Vraciu of VF-6 ready to climb aboard his F6F-3 Hellcat assigned to the USS Intrepid photo taken February 1944. The F6F Hellcat was armed w/6 x 50 caliber machine guns w/400 rpg
that's 2,800 rounds, self sealing fuel tanks and armor protection for the aircraft and pilot...

At the end of WWII in the Pacific, the Hellcat claimed over 5,000 Japanese aircraft shot down that's a kill ratio of 19 to 1. The Hellcat continued to serve with post-war carrier groups and naval reserve squadrons until being phased out of service and retired in the mid 1950s

4.  Bill says:
9 Jan 2016 08:37:26 PM

OOPS! MY ERROR

In my previous comment, Number 3, I stated that the F6F Hellcat carried 2,800 rounds of ammo. This is incorrect my error those 6 x .50 caliber guns carried 400 rounds each giving the Hellcat 2,400 rounds or about 35 seconds firing time....