World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
14 Aug 2010 10:24:23 PM

F6F-3K Hellcats were converted into target drone aircraft.
Other F6F-3K Hellcats were used as drone
aircraft in Operation Crossroads, the Atomic
bomb tests, Bikini Atoll, July 1946

2.  Bill says:
9 Jan 2016 08:30:39 PM

POST-WAR SERVICE:

In the post-war years the F6F Hellcat continued
to serve aboard carrier air groups, naval air stations and reserve units, until replaced by the AD Skyraider and early jet fighters.

TARGET DRONE: F6F-K's (DRONES)

Drone Hellcats were also used as targets for Navy and Marine pilots in air-to-air gunnery practice. Less fortunate F6F-3's and F6F-5's were converted into target drone aircraft as F6F-3K's and F6F-5K's. These aircraft were used as an early form of surface to surface missile that was radio controlled and carried a 2,00lbs / 907kg, warhead to bomb bridges in North Korea, some were equipped with a TV camera, for strike results. Controlling aircraft were Douglas AD-4Q Skyraiders.

ATOMIC HELLCATS:

Special drone Hellcats were used to fly through radioactive cloud to collect air samples during Operation Crossroads testing Atomic Weapons, Bikini Island in the Pacific.