{"title":"Fighter Squadron 41 (VF-41) WW2","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"collection-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eFighter Squadron 41 (VF-41) WW2\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFighter Squadron 41 (VF-41) was assigned to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/uss-independence-cvl-22-merchandise\"\u003eUSS Independence (CVL-22)\u003c\/a\u003e during \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/world-war-ii-merch\"\u003eWorld War II\u003c\/a\u003e, flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat as part of the most powerful \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/u-s-naval-aviation-merchandise\"\u003enaval aviation\u003c\/a\u003e force ever assembled. By 1944, the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/u-s-navy\"\u003eUS Navy\u003c\/a\u003e had over 100 aircraft carriers in the Pacific, thousands of combat aircraft, and the trained pilots to fly them,and VF-41 was part of that force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eUSS Independence: The Ship\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/uss-independence-cvl-22-merchandise\"\u003eUSS Independence (CVL-22)\u003c\/a\u003e was the lead ship of the nine-ship Independence-class,America's first purpose-built \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/u-s-navy-aircraft-carriers\"\u003elight carriers\u003c\/a\u003e, converted from Cleveland-class light cruiser hulls. At 11,000 tons, these fast, compact carriers operated as part of the Fast Carrier Task Force, providing additional fighter strength alongside the larger Essex-class ships. Independence earned eight battle stars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCombat Service\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVF-41 served as part of Carrier Air Group 41 from 1945, participating in carrier operations across the Pacific Theater, striking Japanese-held islands, providing fleet air defense, and supporting the island-hopping campaign that drove American forces from the Gilberts to Japan's doorstep. The squadron flew combat missions during Pacific operations, providing fleet air defense and striking Japanese military targets across the Western Pacific.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Grumman F6F Hellcat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrumman built 12,275 F6F Hellcats between 1942 and 1945, and the aircraft equipped every fast carrier fighter squadron in the Pacific from late 1943 onward. Powered by the 2,000-hp Pratt \u0026amp; Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp,the same engine family that powered the F4U Corsair and P-47 Thunderbolt,the Hellcat could reach 380 mph at 23,400 feet and had a combat range of 945 miles. Its combination of speed, firepower, and survivability made it the weapon that won air superiority over the Pacific.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuilt for those who remember. Shop VF-41 merchandise and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/world-war-ii-merch\"\u003eWorld War II veteran gifts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/tacticallyacquired.com\/collections\/fighter-squadron-41-vf-41-ww2.oembed","provider":"Tactically Acquired","version":"1.0","type":"link"}