VF-27 was first established as VGF-27 at NAS Norfolk, VA in April 1942. Redesignated as VF-27 in March 1943 and initially equipped with F4F-4 Wildcats, it was a busy squadron, taking part in many operations.
In early 1944 it was re-equipped with
F6F-3 Hellcats and, after a brief but intensive training in Hawaii, it was embarked aboard the USS Princeton CVL-23.
All 24 machines embarked featured the famous cat-mouth at their front, a decoration designed by three of the squadron pilots, Carl Brown, Richard Stambrook, and Robert Burnel (the latter considered “The artist of VF-27”) and applied with the help of all squadron pilots.
The squadron was most active and very effective aboard the Princeton, claiming, among others, 30 kills during the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot" on June 19th (though losing their commander Lt. Cdr Wood there).
The success of the VF-27 (and the Princeton itself) continued during the following months, wrecking at times havoc on the Japanese.
It was not to last for long, though, as on 24 October, a single bomb dropped from an undetected D4Y Suisei exploded on the Princeton's flight deck amidst fueled and armed TBF Avengers, causing multiple explosions that doomed the ship, forcing allied ships to sink it by launching torpedoes seven hours later.
The nine cat-mouth Hellcats that were airborne by the time the Princeton was hit, could manage to safely land on other carriers.
One of those survivors was an uncommonly marked #F11 machine, featuring two kills on the starboard side. Soon after all cat-mouths were painted over, thus ending a legendary chapter in the U.S. Naval Aviation.
This is the 2021 F6F-3 “Weekend Edition” of the very nice Eduard 1/72 Hellcat family of kits which initially hit the shelves in 2011 and have been reboxed numerous times (practically covering all major variants) and in many editions (ProfiPack, Weekend, Overtrees).
The specific kit was yet another present from my friend
@lis, who was kind enough as to even include in the box the basic camo colors and the interior green, all of the excellent Mr Hobby line, together with a Quickboost exhaust set!
Should you wish to read the full build review, you might do so by visiting my beloved site Modelingmadness:
https://modelingmadness.com/review/allies/us/usn/fighters/penf6f3.htm
Happy Modelling!
@fiveten - Great piece Spiros. The history of the cat-mouths is quite interesting. The build, paint and weathering are all very nice. Very realistic!
Thanks my friend @brithebuilder!
Great job Spiros, and story too.
I've always loved this Hellcat. I'll go have a look at MM. 🙂
Well done mate,
Paul.
Thanks my friend @paulwoodyvanacker!
This one came out really nicely, Spiros (@fiveten). I had no idea you were building this one. From the photos, I would have guessed it was 1/48 rather than 1/72. Well done.
Thanks kindly, my friend @gblair!
As one of the many other Georges said above, the photos could easily pass for 1/48 scale. A nicely turned out USN aircraft with an interesting history. Thanks for your friend @lis for sending it to you.
Thanks so much, my friend @chinesegeorge!
Great build Spiros.
Thanks so much, my friend @blackmopane!
Spiros (@fiveten), first you get a nice gift from @lis, then we get a gift from you - an excellent looking Hellcat and equally great posting (and MM article).
Thanks a lot, my friend @georgeswork!
Read the M2 article and enjoyed your photos Spiros. They really compliment your work and show to good effect what can be done in 1/72.
Some strong work that gets better with each build.
Thank you kindly, my friend @stephen-w-towle!
Very nice looking model, Spiros!
Thanks a lot, my friend @dbdlee!
That's a cool cat, Spiros @fiveten! 😁 In any scale... 👍
Thanks my friend @garybrantley!
Nice work Spiros (@fiveten). The Eduard Hellcat builds up into a nice representation of the aircraft. I agree with the others, 1/48 scale appearance in a 1/72 scale build.
Thank you so much, my friend @clipper!
Nice looking build Spiros, @fiveten, those are classic markings. I have always loved the three tone navy scheme and the face adds so much to the look.
Thank you very much, my friend @luftwaffe-birdman!
Lovely
Thanks my friend @blackadder57!
Fantastic achievement on this Hellcat, Spiros @fiveten
Lots of details and beautiful painting, especially considering the tiny scale.
Well done.
Thanks a lot, my friend @johnb!
Another vote for 1/48...Great job, Spiros!
Thanks my friend @gwskat!
Great looking Hellcat, Spiros (@fiveten). I really like those cat's mouth decals.
Thanks so much, my friend @jdtruby!
Nice work on this @fiveten.
The surviving VF-27 Hellcats all landed on Essex after their home was sunk. The task group commander had been grinding his teeth over their cat faces since Princeton joined them in June, and so they were shanghaied into VF-15 overnight with liberal applications of Sea Blue paint.
Thanks my friend @tcinla, also for the valuable info!
That's a very nice model. I like the weathering and the history of the cat faces is fascinating.
Thanks so much, my friend @christopher!
Nicely done, Spiros. I've seen those markings many times but only learned the history with your article.
Thanks a lot, my friend @robgenev665!
Nicely done Spiros, well presented.
Thanks my friend @kalamazoo!
Well done Spiros!
Thanks my friend @stakke!
Great article and super build, Spiros (@fiveten). Your 1/72 model has the look and "shelf presence" of at least a 1/48 scale model. Terrific job!
Thanks so much, my friend @matthewfdyer!
Good looking Hellcat - the cat mouth scheme is my favorite for this bird - I also have one to do in 1/72 (though not an Eduard kit) - hope it turns out looking as nice!
Thanks my friend @gkittinger! Looking forward to your Hellcat!
Great build on that little Hellcat and interesting info on history of the VF-27 artwork.
Thanks my friend @chasbunch!
🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
Nice little Hellcat model Spiros, good work.
Thanks so much my friend @de4ever!
Great build Spiros! I've always loved the cat mouthed Hellcats of VF-27. I guess it's the P-40 fan in me. I really want to build on but I'm not sure what scale I want to do it in yet. I hope it turns out half as nice as yours.
Thanks a lot my friend @curtisshawk! Looking forward to yours!
Great cat, Spiros!
Thanks my friend @j-healy!