Nightfighter Hellcats, what color?

[Chad Veich]

I am posting the question below at the request of a friend. Any and all help much appreciated.

TIA,
Chad Veich

>>I am trying to find out what color F6F-5N (Hellcat) Nightfighters were painted. I have several sources and most show Navy Sea Blue, but I have one author that says they were painted matte black. Does anyone have a definitive resource on this? <<

[jdvoss]

I have checked my text "Navy Air Colors Vol 1 1911-1945" by T.Doll and there is no comment about any overall black schemes used. I find this interesting in that the Black Cat PBY's as well as some USMC PBJ's were O/A black. Perhaps these were 'field' modifications for a specific mission usage.

I have another reference book "F6F-3/5 Hellcat" ARCO-AIRCAM Aviation Series No.23 that has quite a number of color profiles included and several of the F6F's are illustrated in overall black. But again there is no mention in the book about color schemes of any of F6F's.

That's all I can contribute at this time...

[Rogue]

I am spending "Veterans Day" with my Uncle Ernie, who flew Hellkitties during the war.

He was in photobirds, but ill ask as he was in a position to see a bunch.

[F3A-1]

In the early 80's while looking for a Mustang crash site I found a radar equiped Hellcat wreck. The plane was burnt badly enough that I could only recognize what model it was by the Radar pod on the seperated outer wing panel. The plane appeared to have been overall dark blue.


Pirate Lex
http://www.BrewsterCorsair.com

[Rogue]

Uncle Ern has no recollection of "Black" F6's

[jdvoss]

I have reviewed all of my WWII aviation books that have photos of the dash 5N Hellcat and all appear to have the standard dark sea blue wraparound color. At the same time I also looked at my photo references for the -5N Corsair and they too appear to be O/A sea blue as well. The only documented naval aircraft (that I could find that is) that were painted black were PBY's in the So. Pacific (Black Cats) and one PB4Y-1 Liberator operating out of NAF Dunkeswell, in the U.K. Again, as I stated before these were most probably mission specifc aircarft and probably did not come from the factory that way.

[Curtis Block]

Doesn't look black to me.

I don't think the name would fit so well either

[bobbrunn]

I have seen color photos of F6F-5Ns which are the standard issue dark blue . In Col. Bruce Porter's book "Ace" he mentions his F6F-5N being a matte black so it is kind of confusing.