F6F Hellcat
F6F Hellcat
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The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a rugged, carrier‑borne fighter designed in 1942 to overcome earlier shortcomings from the F4F Wildcat and rapidly evolve U.S. naval airpower. Combining a sturdy airframe, the two‑row Pratt & Whitney R‑2800 radial engine (2,000+ hp), robust armor and self‑sealing fuel tanks, and simplified maintenance procedures, the Hellcat delivered exceptional durability, high sortie rates, and pilot‑friendly handling from crowded carrier decks. Typically armed with six .50‑caliber machine guns and capable of carrying bombs and rockets, the F6F excelled in air‑to‑air combat, ground attack, and escort missions; with top speeds around 380–400 mph, strong climb performance, and stable handling, it proved highly effective against Japan’s best fighters and became the principal U.S. Navy fighter in the Pacific from mid‑1943 onward.
F6F production totaled over 12,000 airframes across multiple variants, and the type achieved an outstanding air‑to‑air kill ratio that contributed substantially to Allied air superiority in campaigns from the Solomons to the Philippines. The Hellcat’s reliability, ease of maintenance under shipboard conditions, and adaptability made it a favorite of pilots and ground crews; many examples continued in secondary roles, training, and reserve service after WWII, and surviving aircraft today—both flying restorations and museum displays—testify to the type’s historic importance.
Our F6F‑3 BuNo 08974 was assigned to USS Saratoga (CV‑3) and lost over New Caledonia on 26 August 1943. Wreckage was located on Espiritu Santo and recovered in 1980, returned to the United States in 2019, and in 2025 a portion of the original vertical stabilizer was upcycled into TransportTags. This TransportTag is crafted from a reclaimed section of that stabilizer, offering collectors and aviation enthusiasts a tangible connection to naval aviation history, the crew, and the legacy of BuNo 08974 and USS Saratoga.
(Please note that TransportTags, LLC is NOT an authorized or licensed distributor of Northrop Grumman or The United States Navy, and uses their name, markings, etc. for identification purposes ONLY in accordance with the Lanham Act).
On this release we are also offering our limited edition Recon Imagery Set - a 13“ x 19“ print - with border - printed on acid free, ultra-smooth matte paper, numbered and signed. Set includes poster of original card art, PVC card and aircraft token.
By transforming a surviving section of original airframe into a memento you can hold in your hands, these Hellcat tags honor the aircraft’s combination of rugged construction, powerful radial propulsion, and combat-proven versatility—qualities that made the F6F a workhorse of carrier operations and a defining fighter of the Pacific War.
Vehicle History
Vehicle History
The Grumman F6F Hellcat entered service in 1943 as the U.S. Navy’s decisive response to the Japanese Zero. Built around the mighty 2,000-hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp, it combined rugged construction, heavy pilot armor, self-sealing tanks, and six .50-caliber machine guns with forgiving handling and outstanding climb and dive performance. Tougher and faster than the Wildcat it replaced, the Hellcat was in the right place at the right time.
It went on to destroy 5,223 enemy aircraft—an unmatched 19:1 kill ratio—while becoming the backbone of Navy carrier air groups from the Solomon Islands to Tokyo Bay - helping turn the tide of the war and writing one of aviation’s greatest comeback stories.
Product Specifics
Product Specifics
Multiple variants available. Tag back will be blank unless customization is requested at checkout.
Vehicle Stats
Vehicle Stats
• Crew: 1
• Length: 33 ft 7 in (10.24 m)
• Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.06 m)
• Height: 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m)
• Wing Area: 334 sq ft (31.0 m²)
• Empty Weight: 9,238 lb (4,190 kg)
• Gross Weight: 12,598 lb (5,714 kg)
• Max Takeoff Weight: 15,415 lb (6,992 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W Double Wasp 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 2,200 hp (1,600 kW) with a two-speed two-stage supercharger and water injection
• Propeller: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard, 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m) diameter constant-speed
• Maximum Speed: 391 mph (629 km/h, 340 kn)
• Stall Speed: 84 mph (135 km/h, 73 kn)
• Combat Range: 945 mi (1,521 km, 821 nmi)
• Ferry Range: 1,530 mi (2,460 km, 1,330 nmi)
• Service Ceiling: 37,300 ft (11,400 m)
• Rate of Climb: 2,600 ft/min (13 m/s)
• Wing Loading: 37.7 lb/sq ft (184 kg/m²)
• Armament (Guns): 6 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns with 400 rounds per gun (standard for F6F-3 and most F6F-5); or 2 × 0.79 in (20 mm) AN/M2 cannon with 225 rounds per gun and 4 × 0.50 in Browning machine guns with 400 rounds per gun
• Armament (Rockets): 6 × 5 in (127 mm) HVARs or 2 × 11.75 in (298 mm) Tiny Tim unguided rockets
• Armament (Bombs): Up to 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) total, including centerline rack and underwing options like 2 × 1,000 lb (450 kg), or smaller clusters
• Armor/Protection: Heavy armor plating and reinforced empennage for pilot and vital areas
• Avionics: Basic WWII-era instruments; later variants included radar for night fighting (e.g., F6F-5N)
Product Dimensions
Product Dimensions
Card Dimensions
Length: 5 1/2"
Width: 3 1/2"
Tag Dimensions
Length: 3"
Width: 1.75"
Thickness:
Regular Tags: 1.3mm - 6.8mm
Thick Tags: 9.1mm - 10.5mm
Recon Imagery Poster: 13“ x 19“ - with border - printed on acid free, ultra-smooth matte paper. Limited edition, numbered and signed. Set includes poster of original card art, PVC card and aircraft token.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
TransportTags are unique, handcrafted pieces made from genuine vehicle skin. Features like scratches, blemishes, or minor discolorations testify to their unique vintage appeal and authenticity. By purchasing, you accept the product may differ slightly from website images. Transport Tags LLC uses authentic material from transportation vehicles, potential containing hazardous substances. Not intended for ingestion, inhalation, or use by small children. Transport Tags LLC is an independent company, not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by any entities. We use branded names and insignia for identification under the provisions of the Lanham Act, without implying any association or endorsement. For more information, read our detailed product safety and legal information here.
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