US Grumman F8F ''Bearcat'' Fighter Plane

By Crusader1307

The Grumman “Bearcat” was the most produced Carrier Based Fighter Aircraft used by The US Navy in World War II. Over 1,300 were manufactured – with many surviving well into the 1960s as a Trainer. The overall design was based on “lessons learned” from both Pearl Harbor and The Battle of Midway (1942). The need for a highly maneuverable carrier based Fighter was realized by The Grumman Aircraft Company. A much lighter airframe than traditional World War II Fighters, The F8F was crews by a single Pilot. They were 30-feet long with a wingspan of 40-feet. A single Pratt & Whitney Radial Engine provided an impressive 2,800-HP force that gave The “Bearcat” an overall speed of 420-mph. The Class also could achieve almost 40,000-feet. Armament included (4) 12.7mm Machine Guns and later could support (4) 5-inch Rockets. They could be deployed with 1,000-pounds of Ordnance. Most US Aircraft Carriers maintained a Squadron of The F8F, with it becoming popular with The US Marine Corps. As their primary Fighter as well in The Pacific Theater. The Class would go one to serve in The Korean War as a Air to Ground Support Fighter. The “Bearcat” is one of the most flown even today at local and National Airshows, and is often used in many feature films (often depicted as other Classes of Fighters).