Grumman was able to draw on the lessons of the F4FWildcat's operational experience as it began the process of designing a successor. The new fighter had considerable more power, and resembled its predecessor in everything but the adoption of a low wing. This allowed the main landing gear units to retract into the center section rather than the lower fuselage. Four prototypes with different engines order, and the first of these flew in June 1942 Operating in partnership from mid.1944, the F6F Hellcat and the Vought F4U Corsair were instrumental in completing the destruction of  Japanese air power in the Pacific Ocean Areas that were the primary responsibility of the US Navy. Wildcat paid handsome dividends in an accelerated built rate that saw the first production machine fly in October 1942 and the last of 12,275 in November 1945. The Hellcat downed 4,947 enemy aircraft and was also a powerful ground attack fighter.