The F6F-3 (Hellcat Mk.1s) were provided to the Royal Navy under the USA Lead-Lease agreement, All were required to be modified in a number of ways, this work was carried out by Blackburn Aircraft Ltd, this included the fitting of the different types of camera mounts in the lower rear fuselage, one vertical and two for alternative oblique F.24 cameras.
The Hellcats of HMS Indomitable's Photo Reconnaissance Flight were painted Temperate Sea Scheme, and bore the markings for the Eastern Fleet; small areas of the original markings were over painted where necessary with Dark Sea Grey.
The Insignia Blue of the roundels was extended inwards with white center disks added and the White on the fin flash widened to form a 16 x 24 in marking, these Hellcats came from 1839 and 1844 Squadrons RN
The Hellcats of No.888 Squadron were similarly camouflaged. However, they were due to repainted in PR Blue, but no paint was available, so they were repainted in early 1945 with a blue mixed from Dull Blue and a small proportion of White. Their markings varied slightly, however, they followed with India Command markings, 55in wing roundels, 16in fuselage roundels and 18 x 24in fin flashes (6in White, 12in Blue). No Squadron markings were applied but the propeller hubs were painted with White bands, one for No.1 Flight, two for No.2 Flight, none for the CO's aircraft.
