F6F Hellcat fighter returns to its homeland

20th February 2015

ALS Hull organised the transportation of the unique Grumman Hellcat F6F from the Imperial War Museum (IWM) in Duxford on behalf of their customer, Transcars Limited.

With dimensions: L: 10.36m. x W: 4.92m. x H: 3.99m., and a Weight: 4300kg; special ramps

had to be deployed with a winch system to load safely onto the vehicle. It was then escorted
from Duxford to Southampton docks where arrangements had been made for it to be
shipped overseas.

Built in late 1943 the Hellcat was a US carrier based fighter which had also served with the
Royal Navy, the Hellcat had been part of a collection of vintage aircraft at the Duxford IWM
and is painted in the livery of its pilot WW2 ace Lt Alex Vraciu who served with the
Navy fighter squadron VF-6.

It arrived in the UK in 1990 having been rebuilt and restored to its original condition. It was
the only Hellcat performing outside of the USA so had been a popular performer at air
shows across Europe ably demonstrating its flying performance which made such an impact
across the Pacific Theatre during WW2.

It has now been bought by a private collector in the USA.

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