[Shawn 507]

Saw mention of this on Pete's Collectibles. Whats the dope? Pics?

[Tundra04]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

Saw mention of this on Pete's Collectibles. Whats the dope? Pics?

I think that's the designation for a drone, if I'm not mistaken

Note: I keep trying to add pictures of a few schemes, without much success.

[Shawn 507]

This should be interesting.

[Cruver Collecter]

I found some pictures of this aircraft in Squadron/ Signal publications F6F Hellcat in action series. Reference material indicates several different paint schemes and even a variant with wing tip fuel tanks.

[Tundra04]

Thanks Cruver! That's one of the schemes I was trying to post...Here's the other one:

[Rush104]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

I found some pictures of this aircraft in Squadron/ Signal publications F6F Hellcat in action series. Reference material indicates several different paint schemes and even a variant with wing tip fuel tanks.

Can't find a good picture of it, but this reminds me of the "pinball" P-39. Wonder if HM will put that one out?

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by Tundra04

Thanks Cruver! That's one of the schemes I was trying to post...Here's the other one:

Nice picture.

[Tundra04]

Originally Posted by hawkonevoodoo

Nice picture.

It is a nice scheme...I think the one I posted is actually a drone controller...I'm off to do so more research.

[Tundra04]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

I found some pictures of this aircraft in Squadron/ Signal publications F6F Hellcat in action series. Reference material indicates several different paint schemes and even a variant with wing tip fuel tanks.

I forgot about that one...It is really nice with the glossy-red finish.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Tundra04

Thanks Cruver! That's one of the schemes I was trying to post...Here's the other one:

Found black and white picture of same plane in F6F Hellcat in action publication. Caption for picture reads

A piloted F6F-5K (78942) Of VU-1 is a
target-tow aircraft operation off Oahu, Hawaii. Note
the fuel line cannections in the port wing tip
September 17, 1959

Only small paragraph on page 17 describing drone..

Hellcat Drones

A small number of F6F-3s and -5s were modified to the "K" status (drone)
Installing radio control equipment in the aircraft that allowed the flying of the
un-piloted drone to be done from a remote source such as a ground station,
ship at sea or another aircraft. Except for this radio control equipment and
special test instrumentation the "K" version wa essentially a standard F6F.
Some Kx were fitted with wing tip fuel tanks. Much of the mission known as
"Operation Crossroads", the A-bomb test at Bikini island where drones were
flown through the atomic cloud, was flown by F6F-3K Hellcats. It wa used in
Korea as flying bomb guide to bridges in the North by AD-Q4 director
aircraft. In more peaceful times it served its country as a flying target for Naval
and Marine aviators. The desingation F6F-5K wa authourized by the Chief of
Naval Operation on March 11, 1948.