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"F-6F Hellcat - Study 1" |
Commander Alex Vraciu flew F6F Hellcat (specifications) number 19 when he was assigned to Fighter Squadron Six aboard the USS Intrepid. He received Ace status on January 29, 1944, when he shot down three Japanese Betty Bombers. On June 19, 1944, he shot down six Judy dive-bombers in what was known as the Marianas “Turkey Shoot”. He finished the war as the fourth-ranking Naval Ace, having shot down 19 enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat, and destroying 21 more on the ground. He was recommended for the Congressional Medal of Honor, and received the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two gold stars, and the Air Medal with three gold stars. |
| Click on aircraft for progressive study. |
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Original Painting 10" x 8" - Acrylic on Masonite |
| Signed by Alex Vraciu - F-6F Hellcat pilot |
| Alex Vraciu is a member of our Rogue's Gallery |
| Original painting displayed in the private collection of Mr. Alex Vraciu |
| Progressive stages of painting development. | |
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| 1. Drew in pencil the insignia for “Felix the Cat”, and the F6F Hellcat on 8” x 10” masonite board. I painted the insignia in black and then covered it with paper in order to protect it while I worked on the F6F. Added black on the wheels and the shadows for the wheel wells. Painted in the off white color on the bottom of the fuselage, fuel drop tank, and wing. |
2. Painted light and darker blue on the fuselage, and penciled in US insignia and propeller blades. Painted in the propeller and US insignia. Filled in the cockpit and number 19 on tail and fuselage. Added shadows, highlights, and panel lines as well as 19 air-to-air victories, and exhaust stain. Signed, sprayed varnish and framed it for presention to Commander Vraciu. |
3. The painting was presented to Commander Vraciu at his home in northern | |
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