Grumman F6F Hellcat

After the conclusion of the Second World War, the Hellcat was found to be the most successful aircraft in naval history, destroying 5,163 aircraft with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, plus 52 with the Fleet Air Arm. The aircraft was then rapidly phased out of combat service, finally retiring as a night-fighter in composite squadrons in 1954, at least with U.S. fleets.