In the Pacific theater of World War II, two American fighters stood out as aerial legends: the Grumman F6F Hellcat and the Vought F4U Corsair. Both were rugged, radial-engine warhorses that devastated Japanese airpower. But which was truly superior?

Kill Counts and Combat Records

The numbers seem to favor the Hellcat. It racked up a staggering 5,163 aerial victories and claimed an unmatched 19:1 kill ratio. That’s more than the famed P-51 Mustang or the P-47 Thunderbolt. By comparison, the Corsair claimed 2,140 kills and a still-impressive 11:1 kill ratio.

Yet numbers don’t tell the whole story. The Hellcat entered combat later, when Japanese pilot quality had declined, and it faced a weakened, resource-starved enemy. The Corsair, entering service in early 1943, squared off against Japan’s veteran aviators at their peak.

Carrier Ops and Ground Attack Roles

The Hellcat became the Navy’s go-to carrier fighter thanks to its docile handling and solid landing gear. It flew 66,000 sorties—mostly from carriers—and became the workhorse of the fleet. The Corsair, initially plagued by poor deck handling and limited visibility, was handed to the Marine Corps and operated mostly from land bases.

But the Corsair soon found its niche: ground attack. It delivered 70% of all bombs dropped by U.S. fighters in the Pacific, showing versatility beyond air-to-air combat.

Performance Comparison

Both fighters were powered by the mighty Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp and could match each other in climb and agility at speed. But the Corsair outshined the Hellcat in raw speed—topping out at 446 mph versus the Hellcat’s 395 mph. The Corsair also had a higher service ceiling and faster climb rate in its later variants.

The Hellcat, on the other hand, had longer range (up to 2,400 km vs. the Corsair’s 1,600 km) and was easier to fly, making it ideal for new pilots. Its stability, visibility, and lower maintenance needs made it beloved by ground crews.

A Draw of Different Strengths

The Hellcat retired after WWII, having done its job with brutal efficiency. The Corsair, however, returned to fight in the Korean War, proving its durability and adaptability in a new age of warfare.

In a 1944 survey, Navy and Marine pilots still preferred the Corsair—despite its quirks. Whether this was due to its sleek design, performance, or combat reputation is up for debate.

In the end, they were two sides of the same coin. The Hellcat won the numbers war. The Corsair won the pilots’ hearts. Together, they helped bring Japan’s air power to its knees.