In October 1942, just five months after the flight of the XF6F-3, the first production F6F-3 took to the air. The F6F-3 differed from the prototype externally by streamlining the bulky landing gear fairing assembly, replacing the Curtis electric propeller and large spinner with a Hamilton Standard full feathering prop and minor changes to the engine cowling and exhaust ports. Several minor bugs were quickly eliminated in the design and by January 1943 Grumman was delivering Hellcats to the Navy. By the end of 1943 more than 2,500 were delivered. Provisions were made for the use of a centerline 150-gallon drop tank. Early F6F-3s were powered by the P&W R2800-10 while later F6F-3s had the more powerful R2800-10W with water injection. As with the prototypes, armament consisted of six .50 caliber machine guns. Production of the F6F-3 terminated in April 1944 with 4,402 aircraft delivered. Under Lend-Lease, the United States provided the British Fleet Air Arm with 252 F6F-3s.
