In 1943 aboard the escort carrier USS Card, a Grumman F6F Hellcat flew too low on approach to the runway, a common and dangerous hazard during early carrier aviation in World War II, when pilots were still mastering carrier landings under combat conditions. Due to misjudging glide path and airspeed, the aircraft crashed into the aft area before reaching the flight deck, illustrating the unforgiving nature of carrier operations and the steep learning curve faced by naval aviators flying the formi

The Grumman F6F Hellcat and the Highest Kill-to-Loss Ratio of World War II Among the many fighter aircraft that dominated the skies during World War II, the Grumman F6F Hellcat stands out as the most statistically successful in terms of kill-to-loss ratio among major combatants. According to official records and commonly cited air combat statistics, the Hellcat achieved an extraordinary balance of effectiveness, survivability, and timing, making it one of the most decisive naval fighters in avia