13.02.2009, 19:31
From what I have read, the Tiny Tim was found to be a very inaccurate weapon in combat. The F6F-5 could carry them and supposedly used them in combat. I am unaware of any -3's outside of test aircraft that had provisions for carrying any external ordnance other than a center line drop tank.
As for the F6F-4, there was exactly one, the XF6F-4. It started life as the original XF6F-1, it was converted to the XF6F-3, then further modified by replacing the six 50 caliber machine guns with four 20mm cannons and a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 engine. The Navy decided to not pursue a cannon armed Hellcat, so it was converted to a standard F6F-3 and turned over to the navy.
The F6F-6 was a -5 with a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-18W engine and a four bladed propeller. Two F6F-5's were converted and the top speed increased to 417 MPH, but the navy canceled the production contract when Japan surrendered.
I kind of doubt that the navy would have taken delivery of many F6F-6's if the war had continued. By the time the F6F-6 would have entered production, the F8F Bearcat would have already been in mass production. The Bearcat and the F4U-4 both out performed the F6F-6.
I hope this information is helpful.
As for the F6F-4, there was exactly one, the XF6F-4. It started life as the original XF6F-1, it was converted to the XF6F-3, then further modified by replacing the six 50 caliber machine guns with four 20mm cannons and a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-27 engine. The Navy decided to not pursue a cannon armed Hellcat, so it was converted to a standard F6F-3 and turned over to the navy.
The F6F-6 was a -5 with a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-18W engine and a four bladed propeller. Two F6F-5's were converted and the top speed increased to 417 MPH, but the navy canceled the production contract when Japan surrendered.
I kind of doubt that the navy would have taken delivery of many F6F-6's if the war had continued. By the time the F6F-6 would have entered production, the F8F Bearcat would have already been in mass production. The Bearcat and the F4U-4 both out performed the F6F-6.
I hope this information is helpful.