F4F Stars & Stripes Structured Twill Cap

The F4F Wildcat was the U.S. Navy’s primary carrier-based fighter at the start of World War II. Though slower and less manoeuvrable than its main adversary—the Japanese A6M Zero—the Wildcat proved remarkably rugged and deadly in the hands of skilled American pilots. Its combination of armour protection, self-sealing fuel tanks, and heavy firepower made it a tough and reliable opponent in the brutal air battles of the Pacific.

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp engine, the Wildcat could reach speeds of around 318 mph and was armed with four to six .50 calibre machine guns, depending on the variant. Despite lacking the range and agility of the Zero, its ability to absorb damage and still bring its pilot home earned it a reputation for survivability.

The F4F played a pivotal role in early Pacific battles including Coral Sea, Midway, and the prolonged campaign over Guadalcanal. Flying from both aircraft carriers and primitive island airstrips, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps pilots developed tactics like the Thach Weave to offset the Zero’s manoeuvrability advantage.

Several notable U.S. aces achieved their first kills in the F4F:

✈ Joe Foss (26 kills) – U.S. Marine Corps ace and Medal of Honor recipient; scored many of his victories over Guadalcanal in the F4F.

✈ John L. Smith (19 kills) – USMC pilot, also flew Wildcats during Guadalcanal and received the Medal of Honor.

✈ Butch O’Hare (5 kills in a single mission) – Navy pilot who earned the Medal of Honor after defending his carrier from a bomber attack in an F4F.

✈ James Swett (8 kills in one mission) – USMC ace who downed multiple Japanese dive bombers flying the Wildcat.

The Wildcat remained in front-line service until late 1943, when it was replaced by the more powerful F6F Hellcat. However, it continued to serve from escort carriers into 1945, providing vital air cover for convoys and amphibious landings.

A total of 7,885 Wildcats were built, including aircraft manufactured under licence by General Motors (as the FM-1 and FM-2). Though overshadowed by later fighters, the Wildcat held the line during some of the U.S. Navy’s darkest and most pivotal moments of the war.

Why are the stripes vertical?
Great question - and you're absolutely right that the U.S. flag is usually displayed with horizontal stripes. But in this design, we’ve reimagined the flag as an artistic tribute rather than a literal representation. We chose to depict the flag as if it were hanging vertically from above, similar to how it might appear draped at a hangar entrance or suspended during a ceremony.  This vertical orientation allows the iconic silhouette of the aircraft to really shine -with the red and white stripes running the length of the fuselage, it creates a bold, centred look while still honouring the flag’s spirit and symbolism.