Hellcat (Grimman F6F)

The Hellcat is the wreck of a Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter plane from World War II, lying on the Mediterranean seabed off the Var coast near the Îles d'Hyères. Like the nearby Wildcat, this American naval aircraft was lost during the 1944 Operation Dragoon landings. The Hellcat was the successor to the F4F Wildcat and played a decisive role in the Pacific and Mediterranean theaters. Resting at depth, the wreck is remarkably well-preserved by Mediterranean standards, with the engine, wings, and cockpit structure still recognizable beneath a coating of marine organisms. This advanced dive is a pilgrimage for aviation history enthusiasts and military wreck divers.