This airplane began service in 1943 to counter the success of the Japanese Zero. The versatile Hellcat could fight enemy planes, escort bombers, patrol, make long-range searches, take photographs and support troops during invasions.

Workers, including 20,000 women at the Grumman factory in Bethpage, Long Island (New York), produced 500 Hellcats per month for a grand total of 12,500. The huge wings of the aircraft could fold back and pivot alongside the fuselage, enable the airplane to land and take off from Essex-class aircraft carriers.

Medium : 1 Photographic print

Created/Published 1943

Creator: Official U.S. Navy photograph.

Housed in the Prints & Photographs Division of the Library of Congress

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 weeks.

Product #: nafiplstfort