 Last week's plane , the Grumman F8F Bearcat, was the fastest prop fighter that the company ever produced. Originally planned as the successor to the F6F Hellcat, the Carrier based Bearcat was 20% lighter and nearly 50 MPH faster. A Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34, an 18 cylinder radial, provided the power and was mounted on the smallest and lightest airframe that could
carry it.
The Bearcat was a cantilever low-wing, all-metal, monoplane with folding wings for use on aircraft carriers. It also sported self-sealing fuel tanks, 4 .50 caliber machine guns, and a retractable tail wheel. The one in the picture is a F8F-2, which has a 20 mm cannon as standard armament. Originally there were 4000 Bearcats ordered to help cope with what appeared to be a long drawn out war. Grumman began deliveries in May, 1945, but three months later the war was over. In all, there were 1266 Bearcats produced of 6 different variants, some of them night fighters, and even a photo recon version. One of the most famous Bearcats is an Extreme variant, as it no longer has a P&W for power and is clipped and streamlined for speed. That would be the Unlimited Reno Racer " Rare Bear", a consistant contender in the Gold Class of the Unlimiteds.
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Today in Aviation History :
July 30, 1935... Lieutenant Frank Akers of the U.S. Navy becomes the first person to make a "blind" landing at sea. His biplane has a hooded cockpit allowing him to see only his controls and instruments. He lands on the USS Langley.
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Free paper planes for the kids
www.funpaperairplanes.com www.paperairplanes.co.uk/ www.bestpaperairplanes.com/
www.amazingpaperairplanes.com/
www.10paperairplanes.com/
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Aviation Weather Links
www.nws.noaa.gov/
www.noaa.gov/wx.html
http://maps.avnwx.com/
www.usairnet.com/weather/
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