TFC's Hellcat

Nice pictures of the F6F
From what I understand ,the fuselage and centre section and other minor components are Lt Alex Vraciu’s aircraft.It was stored by Earl Rienert outside.Only having centre section and fuselage and on Landing gear. From there ,purchased ,and rebuilt by Fighter Rebuilders.

What ever the arguments about the aircraft its nice to see one flying.There are only about 21 left and of those ,3 or 4 in flying condtion

Duxford 14th October 1990 smaller

Duxford 14th October again

Is the Hair on the Tailplane a standard fit 😀 😀

Nice Image

Duxford 14th October 1990

Duxford 14th October 1990

Greetings earthlings…
At the risk of being corrected:

My recolection was that the following happened.
1. Aircraft restored by Fighter Rebuilders (- lots of new metal?)
2. Wacked into an appoximate FAA scheme in the US, includng a reversed fin flash (as also recently seen on a CAF Wildcat – but I digress)
3. Unpacked in the UK: “Oh dear, that scheme’s just got to go, Clarissa!”
4. The Centre section (yup, JUST the centre section) is discovered as being from Vraciu’s machine. I believe, I believe… But what good luck. (“Of all the Hellcat centre sections in the world, you get it into mine – Play it again Sam.”)
5. Into his scheme it goes! That year’s Flying Legend’s programe carrys the story, and the Centre section is attributed, in programme and song (OK; over the PA etc)…
6. Next year, Mr V attends, and (understadably) it is shouted from the rooftops “Mr V attends! Gets to sit in his own a/c from W.W.II! Donates his old flying gloves!”
7. How much is Mr V’s aircraft – Well, at this point it goes all quiet. No comment, not even no comment.

And lo, such are legends made.

Now prove me wrong. Someone?…

Tongue removed from cheek – I’d just add that it’s great that it’s in such a historic scheme, that Mr V wwas able to support the operation, good PR and a nice job. Just don’t ask which bit or how much really goes back to his machine eh?
Till next time…

Originally posted by Ant Harrington
thought there was more of Vraciu’s original machine to her than just the centre-section-is this not so?

I recall reading somewhere (FP?) that the fuselage was original but it had been re-winged at some time.

von Perthes,

Thank you for the pic. Moondance send me also a scan yesterday of the Hellcat. Looks nice.

NA-122, I will send you a mail soon.

Originally posted by Ant Harrington
I think the ace you’re thinking of is Romanian-born Alexander Vraciu.He was America’s top scoring ace for a time IIRC. I’d always thought there was more of Vraciu’s original machine to her than just the centre-section-is this not so?

IM very sure its more than just centre section his his just can not find any proof in magazines yet,still looking:) .

Hi

I should have a few spare-slides taken in Ambri / Switzerland, when it had this RN scheme. Drop me a line off-board, please

Martin / Swiss Mustangs

[email]martin@swissmustangs.ch[/email]

Ant,

Without looking back at my old FlyPasts, I think you’ve got the right chap. ‘Centre section’ is what I remember, though how big a ‘chunk’ the centre section was I don’t know.

Geoff.

I think the ace you’re thinking of is Romanian-born Alexander Vraciu.He was America’s top scoring ace for a time IIRC. I’d always thought there was more of Vraciu’s original machine to her than just the centre-section-is this not so?

Only the one photo I’m afraid, taken at Duxford, 31/8/90.

As I recall, the change to USN colours came when TFC learned that the centre section was from the Helcat flown by a USN ace, Nick Veraco, or somthing like that

Geoff.

Hello David and Moondance,

Thank you very much for your replies!!! 😀

Moondance, if you find the possibility to scan your slides, do not hesitate to PM me!
David, do you know in which Flypast issue the report was published?

Cheers and thanks again!

Appeared in RN colours (with the fin flash markings the wrong way round!) at the Autumn Air Day the year it arrived. I’ve got some slides, but no decent slide scanner…sorry!

FlyPast did an article on a FAA pilot a few years ago and it included a picture of the TFC Hellcat in FAA markings parked outside the Superhanger and one of her taking off.

Hello Ant,

I was not sure until recently but I discovered the Hellcat was painted briefly in Royal Navy markings. I believe it was in 1989 / 1990.

Do you mean the Hellcat or the Wildcat?The Wildcat still flies in a Fleet Air Arm scheme,but I’m not sure that TFC’s Hellcat has ever worn FAA markings.
I could be wrong,but it doesn’t ring any bells…