Blue Angels Hellcat vs Bearcat: Which 1946 Model Should You Choose?

Choose the Hellcat to represent the Blue Angels' beginning, or the Bearcat for the aircraft they adopted later in 1946. Both can legitimately belong in a first-year collection. They are different Grumman aircraft, not two names for one model.

Compare early Blue Angels aircraft

Why both offers carry the same year

The Navy demonstration team gave its first performance on June 15, 1946, flying F6F-5 Hellcats. It transitioned to the F8F-1 Bearcat on August 25 of the same year.

That makes a Hellcat-and-Bearcat pair a useful way to display the first year's aircraft change. Label the two subjects individually rather than assuming their matching 1946 dates mean they represent one uniform formation at a particular performance.

The Hellcat choices

Hobby Master HA1120 identifies Blue Angels number 2. HA1121 is the F6F-5 offer with number 1–4 decal options.

Both list an opening canopy and stand, with an approximate 7.25-inch wingspan. Choose the Hellcat when that first aircraft type is your main interest. Choose between its two packages according to the number you want and whether optional decals are useful.

The Bearcat choices

The SkyMax SM1011 Bearcat identifies number 2. SM1012 offers number 1–5 decals.

These are also 1:72 models with opening canopies and included stands. Their listed dimensions are approximately 4.75 inches long and 6 inches in wingspan. The smaller span may make the Bearcat easier to accommodate on a narrow shelf while keeping the same stated scale.

The different number ranges on the optional-decal packages describe marking choices, not the number of planes included. Neither package is a complete multi-aircraft display by itself.

Choose aircraft variety or formation numbers

For a type-history collection, one Hellcat and one Bearcat gives you two distinct aircraft. Both can carry number 2 without being duplicate subjects, because the aircraft type is what changes.

For a same-type numbered lineup, select multiple examples of the intended aircraft and plan their markings before purchase. Mixing Hellcats and Bearcats can make an attractive comparison, but exact event recreations require more than a shared year and team name.

Check the display beyond wingspan

The 7.25-inch Hellcat and 6-inch Bearcat spans are approximate catalog measurements. Stand angle and canopy position also affect case height and depth. Neither offer establishes a common stand connection for interchanging the models.

Choose the aircraft chapter you want to represent, then review the exact number format and current availability in the Grumman Scale Models collection.