Author Topic: F8F Bearcat  (Read 2047 times)

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F8F Bearcat
« on: August 21, 2021, 04:00:30 PM »
Although the Grumman F6F Hellcat carrier-based fighter was just put into service, in 1943 Grumman Aircraft already began working on a replacement for it. Experienced pilots who fought on the Grumman F4F Wildcat were involved in drawing up the requirements. The new fighter received the designation F8F Bearcat and, compared to the F6F, was noticeably lighter.

The F8F Bearcat was a single-seat low-wing aircraft with a retractable landing gear and a folding wing. The F8F-2 modification was equipped with a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-30W Double Wasp engine (2250 hp) with a maximum speed of 732 km / h and a flight range of 1778 km. Armament — 4 × 20-mm guns + 4 × missiles + up to 454 kg of bombs.

At the beginning of 1945, the aircraft was put into mass production. But he did not take part in the Second World War. It was in service with the US Navy until 1955. It was also used by the French and Thai Air Forces. A total of 1,265 F8F Bearcat fighters were produced.