Q&A · 2:59:48-3:00:00

Hellcats served the Fleet Air Arm; Dauntless combat use is uncertain

Fleet Air Arm Hellcat service is clear, while the question of whether British Dauntlesses saw combat remains uncertain here.

Carrier Aircraft F6F Hellcat Fleet Air Arm Lend Lease SBD Dauntless

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Question

Did the Fleet Air Arm use Hellcats and Dauntlesses?

Short answer

It definitely used Hellcats; Britain appears to have obtained and flown Dauntlesses, but their combat use is uncertain in this answer.

Notes

The two aircraft require separate answers. The Fleet Air Arm used the F6F Hellcat. Britain also appears to have obtained and flown SBD Dauntlesses, but their combat use is uncertain in this exchange. Acquisition or flight does not by itself demonstrate operational combat service.