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| USN USS Essex (CV-9) AG-15 VF-15   USN October 1944   USN December 1, 1944 |
Aircraft History Built by Grumman as model G-50 in Bethpage, New York. This aircraft was an early model F6F-5 and retained the windows behind the cockpit, an identical feature to the earlier F6F-3 model. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F6F-5 Hellcat bureau number 70143. Wartime History Assigned to the USS Essex (CV-9), Air Group 15 (AG-15), Fighting Squadron 15 (VF-15). Assigned to Commanding Officer (C. O.) Commander David McCampbell as the fourth aircraft assigned to him. Nicknamed "Minsi III" in yellow block letters on the right side of the nose. Previously, he was assigned F6F-3 "Monsoon Maiden" until it was damaged by anti-aircraft fire on May 19, 1944. Next, F6F-3 "The Minsi" and claimed 10½ victories. Afterwards, F6F-5 "Minsi II" and finally this plane. Flying this Hellcat, McCampbell scored his eleventh to thirty-third and a half aerial victory claims between September 12, 1944 until November 14, 1944 (the last 23½ of his 34 kills) and became the highest scoring U.S. Navy ace in World War II. On the right side of the cockpit was McCampbell's scoreboard with Japanese rising sun flags. On September 12, 1944 launched from USS Essex (CV-9) piloted by Commander David McCampbell on a mission over Cebu and claimed four aerial victories: at 9:00am a single Ki-46 Dinah and at 10:15am two A6M Zeros and J2M Jack. These were credited to him as his eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth victories. On September 13, 1944 launched from USS Essex (CV-9) piloted by Commander David McCampbell on a mission over Negros. Between 7:45am to 8:30am over the northwest airfields of Negros Occidental Province and claimed two Ki-27 Nates (some sources list as K5Y Willow), a probable Ki-27 Nate (some sources list as K5Y Willow) and Ki-43 Oscar. These were credited to him as his fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth victories and a probable. On September 22, 1944 launched from USS Essex (CV-9) piloted by Commander David McCampbell on a mission over Manila. At 8:00am claimed a Ki-46 Dinah roughly 10 miles south of Manila Bay. On September 24, 1944 launched from USS Essex (CV-9) piloted by Commander David McCampbell on a mission over Cebu. At 8:40am claimed a single F1M2 Pete with Ens R. Nall roughly 10 miles south of Cebu Harbor. This was credited as a ½ victory shared with Nall. On October 21, 1944 launched from USS Essex (CV-9) piloted by Commander David McCampbell on a mission over Tablas Island. Between 7:30-8:00am claimed a Ki-46 Dinah and Ki-27 Nate (some sources list as K5Y Willow) shot down roughly 2-20 miles west of Tablas Island. On October 24, 1944 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf launched from USS Essex (CV-9) piloted by Commander David McCampbell with wingman F6F Hellcat pilot Roy Rushing. Between 8:35am until 10:10am they engaged a force of roughly sixty Japanese planes east of Luzon at roughly Lat 15° 20' N Long 123° 9' E. During the air combat, McCampbell claimed nine victories (5 Zekes, 2 Oscars, 2 Hamps) plus two probables (Zeke and Oscar), setting a U.S. single mission air combat record. Wingman Rushing claimed six victories. The remaining Japanese planes turned back before they reached the fleet. Returning low on fuel and ammunition, McCampbell saw the flight deck of USS Essex (CV-9) crowded with planes and instead diverted to USS Langley (CVL-27) and ran out of fuel as he landed. When his plane was checked, only two rounds remained in each machine gun. After the Battle of Leyte Gulf, McCampbell was photographed wearing flight gear in the cockpit of F6F "Minsi III" 70143 with his scoreboard expanded to thirty-four Japanese rising sun flags (6 x 6 x 6 x 6 x 6) on the flight deck of USS Essex (CV-9). On November 5, 1944 launched from USS Essex (CV-9) piloted by Commander David McCampbell on a mission over Manila and claimed a Val and Zero shot down. On November 11, 1944 launched from USS Essex (CV-9) piloted by Commander David McCampbell on a mission over Ormoc Bay and claimed an Oscar then onward to Manila Bay and claimed another Oscar. Afterwards, the scoreboard with Japanese rising sun flags was expanded with his final score of 34 aerial victories (6 x 6 x 6 x 6 x 6 x 4). This Hellcat was photographed with aces from VF-15 and their scoreboard. Fate Afterwards, this Hellcat became part of the fighter replacement pool and was lost. Some sources state this aircraft was lost during an accident during December 1944 flown by a replacement pilot. Conversely, USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List April 1945 lists F6F-5N Hellcat 70143 as a replacement pool aircraft lost April 2, 1945 launched from USS Windham Bay (CVE-92) off Okinawa piloted by Ensign L. E. Colvin who was rescued. It is unclear if this is the same aircraft or an error with the bureau number. Display Two Hellcats are painted in the markings of this F6F "Minsi III". The first is F6F Hellcat 94203 at National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) is painted in the markings of this aircraft. The second is F6F Hellcat 70222 at Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Camarillo Southern California Wing is painted in the markings of this aircraft. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F6F-5 Hellcat 70143 USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List - F6F-5 Hellcat 70143 Stars & Bars (1995) page page 432 (Minsi III) Hellcat Aces of World War 2 (1996) by Barrett Tillman pages 41 (profile 30 "Minsi III"), 49 (photo), 56 (photo), 96 (profile 30 description "Minsi III", 90 (ace list) Thanks to David McCampbell (son) and Barrett Tillman for additional information Contribute
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