A Test Pilot’s Trials and Tribulations in Grumman’s WW II Masterpiece

On January 21, 1943, the author flies the far Hellcat (number 6 production F6F-3 BuNo. 04780) in formation with Bobby McReynolds (number 7 production F6F-3 04781). The number 6 production F6F-3 was selected as being the “dog ship” for engineering to flight-test production changes. The author spent many hours in this aircraft until production number 254 was selected several months later to continue the job. (Photo courtesy Northrop/Grumman History Center)

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LEROY RANDALL GRUMMAN had an uncompromising design philosophy that led his company to produce generations of great carrier-based fighters and attack airplanes. His ultraconservative approach was the natural result of his 30-year experience as a naval pilot in WW I, a naval test pilot, a general manager and test pilot of Loening amphibians and later president and test pilot of the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. aircraft until the end of WW II. His simple philosophy:...

PARDON THE INTERRUPTION

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