As reported on Global Aviation Resource, The Fighter Collection’s Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat flew for the first time again in roughly five years on May 23rd. TFC’s Chief Pilot, Pete Kynsey, had the honors of taking her aloft again after a protracted period of maintenance by the collection’s maintenance crew and volunteers. The Hellcat has been with the Fighter Collection at the hallowed Duxford airfield, near Cambridge, England for several decades, so it was a delight to see her flying once more. She wears the markings of an aircraft flown by the US Navy ace Lt. Alex Vraciu while he served in VF-6 aboard the USS Intrepid. Vraciu was noted for scoring six victories in just eight minutes on June 19th, 1944. This was during the “Great Marianas Turkey Shoot”, as the Battle of the Philippines Sea was unofficially known amongst navy flyers due to the overwhelmingly one-sided aerial battles against the severely depleted Japanese air arms. Vraciu went on to receive credit for 19 enemy aircraft, making him the US Navy’s fourth highest scoring fighter pilot.
The Fighter Collection’s Hellcat is one of just a handful of flying examples, and the only one operating outside of the USA. She will be performing at the magnificent Flying Legends Air Show at Duxford over the weekend of 12th/13th of July and the RAFA Shoreham Air Show on during 30th/31st August.
For more pictures of the first flight, visit www.globalavitionresource.com
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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