View source for Grumman F8F Bearcat

{{short description|American single-engine carrier-based fighter aircraft}}
{{Infobox aircraft
  |name= F8F Bearcat
  |image= File:Bearcat - Fly Navy Day 2016 (27564576372).jpg
  |caption=An F8F Bearcat warbird over Fly Navy Day 2016 
  |type= [[Fighter aircraft]]
  |national_origin= United States
  |manufacturer= [[Grumman]]
  |first_flight= 21 August 1944
  |introduction= 21 May [[1945 in aviation|1945]]
  |retired= 1963 [[VNAF]]<ref name="Grandolini">{{cite magazine |author=Grandolini, A. |title=Indo-Chinese Fighting 'Cats: Grumman's Superb Bearcat in Vietnam |magazine=Air Enthusiast  |issue=70 |date=July–August 1997 |page=21 |issn=0143-5450}}</ref>
  |status= 
  |primary_user= [[United States Navy]]
  |more_users= [[United States Marine Corps]]<br />[[French Air Force]] <br />[[Royal Thai Air Force]]
  |produced=
  |number_built= 1,265
  |unit cost=
  |developed_from=
  |variants=
}}

The '''Grumman F8F Bearcat''' is an American single-engined, [[carrier-based]] [[fighter aircraft]] introduced in late [[World War II]]. It served during the mid-20th century in the [[United States Navy]], the [[United States Marine Corps]], and the air forces of other nations. It was Grumman Aircraft's last [[piston-engine]]d fighter aircraft. Adapted versions of the Bearcat have broken speed records for piston-engined aircraft. Today, the Bearcat is popular among [[warbird]] owners and [[air racing|air racers]].

==Design and development==

===Concept===
The Bearcat concept began during a meeting between [[Battle of Midway]] veteran [[F4F Wildcat]] pilots and [[Grumman]] vice president [[Jake Swirbul]] at [[Pearl Harbor]] on 23 June 1942. At the meeting, Lieutenant Commander [[John Thach|Jimmie Thach]] emphasized one of the most important requirements in a good fighter plane was "[[climb rate]]".<ref>Ewing 2004, pp. 182, 308.</ref>

Climb performance is strongly related to the [[power-to-weight ratio]], and is maximized by wrapping the smallest and lightest possible airframe around the most powerful engine. Another goal was that the '''G-58''' (Grumman's design designation for the aircraft) should be able to operate from [[escort carriers]], which were then limited to the obsolescent F4F Wildcat, as the [[Grumman F6F Hellcat]] was too large and heavy. A small, lightweight aircraft would make this possible. After intensively analyzing [[Aircraft carrier|carrier]] warfare in the [[Asiatic-Pacific Theater|Pacific Theater of Operations]] for a year and a half, Grumman began development of the G-58 Bearcat in late 1943.

===Design===
[[File:Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat of VF-1 in flight over California (USA), in 1943 (80-G-K-605).jpg|thumb|The Bearcat was influenced by the larger [[F6F Hellcat]].]]

In 1943, Grumman was introducing the [[F6F Hellcat]], powered by the [[Pratt & Whitney R-2800]] engine, which provided {{convert|2000|hp}}. The R-2800 was the most powerful American engine, so it would be retained for the G-58. This meant that improved performance would have to come from a lighter airframe.

To meet this goal, the Bearcat's fuselage was about {{convert|5|ft|abbr=on}} shorter than the Hellcat, and was cut down vertically behind the cockpit. This allowed the use of a [[bubble canopy]], the first to be fitted to a US Navy fighter. The vertical stabilizer was the same height as the Hellcat's, but had an increased aspect ratio, giving it a thinner look. The wingspan was {{convert|7|ft|abbr=on}} less than the Hellcat's. Structurally, the fuselage used flush riveting and spot welding, with a heavy-gauge 302W aluminum alloy skin suitable for carrier landings.<ref name="Scrivner 1990, p.4."/> Armor protection was provided for the pilot, engine, and oil cooler.

The Hellcat used a {{convert|13|ft|1|in|abbr=on|adj=on}}, three-bladed [[Hamilton Standard]] propeller. A slight reduction in size was made by moving to a {{convert|12|ft|7|in|abbr=on|adj=on}} Aeroproducts four-bladed propeller. Keeping the prop clear of the deck required long landing gear, which, combined with the shortened fuselage, gave the Bearcat a significant "nose-up" profile on land. The hydraulically operated undercarriage used an articulated [[trunnion]] that extended the length of the [[Oleo strut|oleo]] legs when lowered; as the undercarriage retracted, the legs were shortened, enabling them to fit into a wheel well, which was entirely in the wing. An additional benefit of the inward-retracting units was a wide track, which helped counter propeller torque on takeoff and gave the F8F good ground and carrier deck handling.<ref name="Scrivner 1990, p.4.">Scrivner 1990, p. 4.</ref>

The design team had set the goal that the G-58 should weigh {{convert|8750|lb|-1|abbr=on}} fully loaded. As development continued,  this was found to be impossible to achieve, as the structure of the new fighter had to be made strong enough for aircraft carrier landings. Weight-saving measures included restricting the internal fuel capacity to {{convert|160|usgal|L}} and limiting the fixed armament to four [[.50 cal]] [[M2 Browning machine gun|Browning M2/AN]] machine guns, two in each wing.<ref name="Scrivner 1990, p.4."/>(later {{convert|183|usgal|L|disp=sqbr}})<ref>Scrivner 1990, p. 7.</ref> The limited range due to the reduced fuel load meant it would be useful in the [[interceptor aircraft|interception role]], but the Hellcat would still be needed for longer range patrols. A later role was defending the fleet against ''[[kamikaze]]'' attacks.<ref>[http://broadcast.illuminatedtech.com/display/story.cfm?bp=92&sid=7974 "F8F Bearcat."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007060602/http://broadcast.illuminatedtech.com/display/story.cfm?bp=92&sid=7974 |date=2006-10-07 }} ''U.S. Naval Air Museum''. Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref> Compared to the Hellcat, the Bearcat was 20% lighter, had a 30% better rate of climb, and was {{convert|50|mph|-1|abbr=on}} faster.<ref>Swanborough and Bowers 1991, p. 241.</ref>

Another weight-saving concept the designers found was detachable wingtips. The wings were designed to fold at a point about {{frac|2|3}} out along the span, reducing the space taken up on the carrier. Normally, the hinge system would have to be built very strong to transmit loads from the outer portions of the wing to the main spar in the inner section, which adds considerable weight. Instead of building the entire wing to be able to withstand high-g loads, only the inner portion of the wing was able to do this. The outer portions were more lightly constructed, and designed to snap off at the hinge line if the force exceeded 7.5&nbsp;g. In this case, the aircraft would still be flyable and could be repaired after returning to the carrier. This saved {{convert|230|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>Meyer, Corwin W. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3897/is_199808/ai_n8826530/pg_1 "Clipping the Bearcat's wing."] ''Flight Journal'', August 1998, p. 1. Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref>

[[File:Grumman XF8F-1 Bearcat 1945.jpg|thumb|An XF8F-1 prototype at the [[National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics|NACA]] Langley Research Facility in 1945]]

===Prototypes===
The design was completed in November 1943 and an order for two prototypes was placed on 27 November 1943 under the BuAir designation XF8F-1. The first prototype flew on 21 August 1944, only nine months after the design effort started.<ref>Gunston 1988, p. 48.</ref><ref>Francillon 1989, p. 243.</ref>{{efn|One account states the first flight on 13 August.<ref>{{cite book |first=Richard |last=Thruelsen |title=The Grumman Story |publisher=Praeger |year=1976 |page=213}}</ref>}} The initial flight test demonstrated a {{convert|4,800|ft/min|abbr=on}} climb rate and a top speed of {{convert|424|mph|abbr=on}}. Compared to the [[Vought F4U Corsair]], the Bearcat was marginally slower, but more maneuverable and climbed more quickly.

Testing demonstrated a number of problems, notably a lack of horizontal stability, an underpowered trim system, landing gear that could be extended only at slow speeds, an unreliable airspeed indicator, and a cramped cockpit. The test pilots also requested that six guns be installed. The stability problem was addressed on the second prototype by adding a triangular fillet to the front of the vertical stabilizer. The extra guns could not be incorporated due to weight and balance considerations.

===Production===
The Navy placed a production contract for 2,023 aircraft based on the second prototype on 6 October 1944. On 5 February 1945, they awarded another contract for 1,876 slightly modified aircraft from [[General Motors]]' [[Eastern Aircraft Division]], given the designation F3M-1. These differed primarily in having the R-2800-34W engine and a small increase in fuel capacity.

Deliveries from Grumman began on 21 May 1945. The end of the war led to the Grumman order being reduced to 770 examples, with the GM contract being cancelled outright. An additional order was placed for 126 F8F-1Bs replacing the .50 cal machine guns with the 20&nbsp;mm M2 cannon, the US version of the widely used [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404]]. Fifteen of these were later modified as F8F-1N night fighters with an APS-19 radar mounted under the starboard wing.

An unmodified production F8F-1 set a 1946 time-to-climb record (after a run of {{convert|115|ft|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}}) of {{convert|10000|ft|0}} in 94 seconds ({{convert|6383|ft/min|m/s|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}}). The Bearcat held this record for 10 years until it was broken by a jet fighter (which still could not match the Bearcat's short takeoff distance).

In 1948, Grumman introduced a number of improvements to produce the F8F-2. Among the changes were a modified cowling design, taller vertical fin, and the slightly more powerful R-2800-30W engine producing {{convert|2,240|hp|abbr=on}}. In total, 293 F8F-2s were produced, along with 12 F8F-2N night fighters and 60 F8F-2P reconnaissance versions. Production ended in 1949, and the first units began to convert off the type that year. The last Bearcats were withdrawn in 1952.

==Operational history==
===United States===
[[File:Grumman F8F-1 Blue Angels 1946-49.jpg|thumb|On 25 August 1946, the [[Blue Angels]] converted to the Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat and introduced the famous "diamond" formation.]]

The F8F prototypes were ordered in November 1943 and first flew on 21 August 1944, a mere nine months later.{{efn|Grumman's project pilot for the Bearcat series was noted test pilot Corwin F. "Corky" Meyer.<ref>Dittmeier, Chris. [http://www.grummanpark.org/grumman_test_pilots.htm "Grumman test pilots."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070816171153/http://www.grummanpark.org/grumman_test_pilots.htm |date=2007-08-16 }} ''www.GrummanPark.org.'' Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref><ref>Meyer, Corwin. ''Corky Meyer's Flight Journal: A Test Pilot's Tales Of Dodging Disasters-Just In Time''. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2006. {{ISBN|1-58007-093-0}}.</ref>|group=Note}} The first production aircraft was delivered in February 1945 and the first squadron, Fighter Squadron 19 ([[VF-191|VF-19]]), was operational by 21 May 1945, but World War II was over before the aircraft saw combat service.

One problem that became evident in service was the snap-off wingtips not working as expected. While they worked well under carefully controlled conditions in flight and on the ground, in the field, where aircraft were repetitively stressed by landing on carriers and since the wings were slightly less carefully made in the factories,  a possibility arose that only one wingtip would break away with the possibility of the aircraft crashing.<ref>Scrivner 1990, p. 14.</ref> This was replaced with an explosives system to blow the wingtips off together, which also worked well, but this ended when a ground technician died due to an accidental triggering. In the end, the wings were reinforced, and the aircraft was limited to 7.5 g.

Postwar, the F8F became a major U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps fighter, equipping 24 fighter squadrons in the Navy and a smaller number in the Marines. Often mentioned as one of the best-handling piston-engined fighters ever built, its performance was sufficient to outperform some early jets.{{efn|[[Neil Armstrong]] flew Bearcats in 1950 during his Navy advanced training, field qualifying in it at age 19. After his retirement, he named the Bearcat as his favourite aircraft to fly.<ref>Hanson 2005, p. 78.</ref>|group=Note}} Its capability for [[aerobatic]] performance is illustrated by its selection as the second demonstration aircraft for the Navy's elite [[Blue Angels]] flight demonstration squadron in 1946, replacing the Grumman F6F Hellcat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blueangels.navy.mil/aircraft/historical.aspx |title=Blue Angels: Historical Aircraft - 60+ Years of Aviation Excellence |access-date=2016-02-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122092547/https://www.blueangels.navy.mil/aircraft/historical.aspx |archive-date=2016-01-22 }}</ref> The Blue Angels flew the Bearcat until the team was temporarily disbanded in 1950 during the [[Korean War]] and pressed into operational combat service. The [[F9F Panther]] and [[McDonnell F2H Banshee]] largely replaced the Bearcat as their performance and other advantages eclipsed piston-engined fighters.

=== France and South Vietnam ===
{{expand section|date=January 2023}}
[[File:Grumman F8F Bearcat as a monument at Nha Trang Air Base, Vietnam, 24 August 1968 (111-LC-53375).jpg|thumb|A F8F as a monument at Nha Trang Air Base, Vietnam, 1968]]
The first combat for the F8F Bearcat was during the [[French Indochina War]] (1946–1954), when nearly 200 Bearcats were delivered to the French forces in 1951.

When the war ended in 1954 and French forces withdrew, 28 surviving Bearcats were donated to [[South Vietnam]], and served with the [[Republic of Vietnam Air Force]] from 1956.<ref>Francillon 1989, pp. 252–253.</ref> The Vietnamese Bearcats were retired from 1960 onwards, replaced with [[Douglas A-1 Skyraider]]s and [[North American T-28 Trojan]]s as the [[Vietnam War]] (1957–1975) continued.<ref>Grandolini, A. "Indo-Chinese fighting: 'Cats: Grumman's superb Bearcat in Vietnam." Air Enthusiast, No. 70, July–August 1997, pp. 12–21.</ref><ref>[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1zi26_the-war-in-indochina-goes-on-121953_news "The war in Indo-China goes on."] ''The News Magazine of the Screen: Warner Pathé News,'' 12/1953. Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref><ref name="AI Jun93 p278-0">Manevy 1993, pp. 278–280.</ref><ref>[http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww3/f/802/17/0 "AVIA Camouflage Profiles: Grumman F8F Bearcat."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624035712/http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww3/f/802/17/0 |date=2015-06-24 }} ''Wings Palette.'' Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref>

===Thailand===
{{expand section|date=January 2023}}
F8Fs were also supplied to Thailand during the late 1940s.

==Air racing==
[[File:Bearcat Grumman F8F-2 Rare Bear.jpg|thumb| The record-breaking racer ''[[Rare Bear]]'']]

Bearcats have long been popular in [[air racing]]. A stock Bearcat flown by [https://hydroplanehistory.com/personalities/mira_slovak_mira_slovak_1929_2014.html Mira Slovak] and sponsored by [https://hydroplanehistory.com/personalities/bill_stead_bill_stead_pt_1.html Bill Stead] won the first [[Reno Air Race]] in 1964. ''[[Rare Bear]]'', a highly modified F8F owned by [[Lyle Shelton (aviator)|Lyle Shelton]], went on to dominate the event for decades, often competing with [[Daryl Greenamyer]], another famous racer with victories in his own Bearcat (''Conquest I'', now at the Smithsonian's [[National Air and Space Museum]]) and holder of a piston-engined aircraft world speed record in it. ''Rare Bear'' also set many performance records, including the 3&nbsp;km World Speed Record for piston-driven aircraft ({{convert|528.33|mph|disp=sqbr|abbr=on}}), set in 1989, and a new time-to-climb record ({{convert|3000|m|disp=sqbr}} in 91.9 seconds ({{convert|6425.9|ft/min|m/s|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}}), set in 1972, breaking the 1946 record cited above).<ref>[http://www.RareBear.com "Lyle Shelton's "Rare Bear."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206003547/http://www.rarebear.com/ |date=2006-12-06 }} ''www.RareBear.com.'' Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref>{{efn|Note that Shelton's claim to be the "fastest propeller-driven aircraft in the world" does not acknowledge faster [[turboprop]] aircraft such as the Russian [[Tupolev Tu-95]] "Bear" bomber. Other sources credit ''Rare Bear'' as the fastest "piston-driven" aircraft.|group=Note}}<ref>[http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/performance/q0023.shtml "Aircraft speed records."] ''www.AeroSpaceWeb.org.'' Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.airrace.com/New%20speed%20records.htm "Speed records from archives of the Society of Air Racing Historians."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061221051938/http://www.airrace.com/New%20speed%20records.htm |date=2006-12-21 }} ''www.AirRace.com.'' Retrieved: 18 August 2010.</ref>

==Variants==
[[File:F8F-2 Bearcats of VF-111 on USS Valley Forge (CV-45) in September 1949 (80-G-427668).jpg|thumb|[[VF-111]] F8Fs aboard {{USS|Valley Forge|CV-45|6}}]]
[[File:F8F-2P Bearcat of VC-62 in flight over USS Midway (CVB-41), in 1952.jpg|thumb|An F8F-2P reconnaissance aircraft from [[VFP-62|VC-62]] over {{USS|Midway|CVB-41|6}}, 1949]]
[[File:French F8F Bearcats at Tourane c1954.jpg|thumb|French Bearcats at [[Da Nang Air Base|Tourane Air Base]],'' circa'' 1954]]
;XF8F-1
:Prototype aircraft, two built

;F8F-1 Bearcat
:Single-seat fighter aircraft, equipped with folding wings, a retractable tailwheel, self-sealing fuel tanks, a very small dorsal fin, powered by a {{convert|2100|hp|kW|abbr=on}} Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W Double Wasp radial piston engine, armed with four {{convert|0.50|in|mm|abbr=on|1}} machine guns, 658 built

;F8F-1B Bearcat
:Single-seat fighter version, armed with four AN/M3 20&nbsp;mm cannons, 100 built

;F8F-1C Bearcat
:Originally designated F8F-1C, redesignated as F8F-1B, 126 built

;F8F-1D
:F8F-1s converted into drone control aircraft

;F8F-1(D)B Bearcat
:Unofficial designation for export version for France and Thailand

;F8F-1E Bearcat
:F8F-1 night-fighter prototype carrying [[APS-4]] radar

;XF8F-1N
:F8F-1 conversion into night fighter prototypes

;F8F-1N Bearcat
:Night fighter version, equipped with an APS-19 radar, 12 built

;F8F-1P Bearcat
:F8F-1 conversion photo reconnaissance conversion

;F3M-1 Bearcat
:Planned designation for F8F aircraft constructed by General Motors

;F4W-1 Bearcat
:Planned designation for F8F aircraft constructed by [[Canadian Car and Foundry]]<ref>Hardy 1987 {{page needed|date=May 2015}}</ref>

;XF8F-2
:F8F-1 conversion with engine upgrade, revised engine cowling, taller tail

;F8F-2 Bearcat
:Improved version, equipped with a redesigned engine cowling, taller fin and rudder, armed with four 20&nbsp;mm cannons, powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-30W radial piston engine, 293 built

;F8F-2D
:F8F-2s converted into drone control aircraft

;F8F-2N Bearcat
:Night-fighter version, equipped with an APS-19 radar, 12 built

;F8F-2P Bearcat
:Photo-reconnaissance version, fitted with camera equipment, armed with two {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on}} cannons, 60 built

;G-58A/B
:Two civil aircraft: The first was owned by the [[Gulf Oil Company]] for the use of Major Alford Williams; the second one was used by Grumman as a demonstrator aircraft and was flown by [[Roger Wolfe Kahn]].

;B.Kh.15
:({{langx|th|บ.ข.๑๕}}) [[Royal Thai Air Force]] designation for the F8F-1.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thai Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref>

==Operators==
;{{FRA}}
* [[French Air Force]]
;{{THA}}
* [[Royal Thai Air Force]]
;{{USA}}
* [[United States Navy]]
* [[United States Marine Corps]]
;{{flag|South Vietnam}}
* [[Republic of Vietnam Air Force]]

==Surviving aircraft==
[[File:Grumman Bearcat.jpg|thumb|Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat G-RUMM N700HL at Flying Legends, Duxford, UK]]

===Thailand===
;Airworthy
;;F8F-1
*122120 – Tango Squadron, Foundation for the Preservation and Development of Thai Aircraft.<ref>[http://www.thai-aviation.net/files/Tango_Squadron.pdf "Grumman F8F Bearcat/Bu. 122120."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215235321/http://www.thai-aviation.net/files/Tango_Squadron.pdf |date=2013-12-15 }} ''Tango Squadron.'' Retrieved: 16 Dec 2013.</ref>
;On display
;;F8F-1
*94956 – [[Royal Thai Air Force Museum]] in [[Bangkok]].<ref>[http://www.rtaf.mi.th/museum/BLDG5-2.HTM#bearcat "Grumman F8F Bearcat/Bu. 94956."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606061937/http://www.rtaf.mi.th/museum/BLDG5-2.HTM |date=2011-06-06 }} ''Royal Thai Air Force Museum.'' Retrieved: 11 April 2012.</ref>

===United Kingdom===
;Airworthy
;;F8F-2
*121714 – [[The Fighter Collection]], Duxford.<ref>[http://fighter-collection.com/pages/aircraft/bearcat/index.php "Grumman F8F Bearcat/Bu. 121714."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418234807/http://www.fighter-collection.com/pages/aircraft/bearcat/index.php |date=2012-04-18 }} ''The Fighter Collection Duxford.'' Retrieved: 11 April 2012.</ref>

===United States===
;Airworthy
;;F8F-1
*90454 – privately owned in [[Fountain Hills, Arizona]].<ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=9G "FAA Registry: N9G."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref>
*95255 – based at Lewis Air Legends in [[San Antonio, Texas]].<ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=58204 "FAA Registry: N58204."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref>
;;F8F-1B
*122095 – privately owned in [[Indianapolis, Indiana]].<ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=2209 "FAA Registry: N2209."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref>
;;F8F-2
*121748 – privately owned in [[Houston, Texas]].<ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=1DF "FAA Registry: N1DF."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref>
*121752 – based at [[Erickson Aircraft Collection]] in [[Madras, Oregon]].<ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=800H "FAA Registry: N800H."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref><ref>[http://www.ericksoncollection.com/aircraft#/f8f-bearcat/ "Grumman F8F Bearcat/Bu. 121752."] ''Erickson Aircraft Collection.'' Retrieved: 8 December 2022.</ref>
*121776 – privately owned in [[Wilmington, Delaware]].<ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=68RW "FAA Registry: N68RW."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref>
*122614 – based at Lewis Air Legends in [[San Antonio, Texas]].<ref>[https://www.lewisairlegends.com/tai-wun-on "Grumman F8F Bearcat/Bu. 122614."] ''Lewis Air Legends.'' Retrieved: 13 January 2020.</ref><ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=747NF "FAA Registry: N747NF."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref>
*122619 – based at Lewis Air Legends in [[San Antonio, Texas]].<ref>[https://www.lewisairlegends.com/f8f-2-bearcat-dcc "Grumman F8F Bearcat/Bu. 122619."] ''Lewis Air Legends.'' Retrieved: 13 January 2020.</ref><ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=14WB "FAA Registry: N14WB."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref>
*[[Rare Bear|122629]] – based at Lewis Air Legends in [[San Antonio, Texas]].<ref>[https://www.lewisairlegends.com/f8f2-bearcat-rare-bear "Grumman F8F Bearcat/Bu. 122629."] ''Lewis Air Legends.'' Retrieved: 13 January 2020.</ref><ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=777L "FAA Registry: N777L."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref>
*122637 – privately owned in [[Houston, Texas]].<ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=8TF "FAA Registry: N8TF."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref>
;;G-58 Gulfhawk (two civilian built Bearcats)
*G-58A – based at the [[Planes of Fame Air Museum]] in [[Chino, California]].<ref>[https://planesoffame.org/aircraft/F8F-2 "Grumman G-58A Gulfhawk."] ''Planes of Fame Air Museum.'' Retrieved 25 August 2022.</ref><ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N3025 "FAA Registry: N3025."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref>
*G-58B – based at [[Palm Springs Air Museum]] in [[Palm Springs, California]].<ref>[https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/visit/aircraft/ "Grumman G-58B Gulfhawk."] ''Palm Springs Air Museum.'' Retrieved: 25 August 2022.</ref><ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N700A "FAA Registry: N700A."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref>
;On display
;;F8F-2
*121646 ''Conquest I'' – [[Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]] of the [[National Air and Space Museum]] in [[Chantilly, Virginia]].<ref>[https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/grumman-f8f-2-bearcat-conquest-i/nasm_A19770989000 "Grumman F8F Bearcat/Bu. 121646."] ''National Air & Space Museum.'' Retrieved: 12 September 2022.</ref>
;;F8F-2P
*121710 – [[National Naval Aviation Museum]] at [[NAS Pensacola]], [[Florida]].<ref>[http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=f8f_bearcat "Grumman F8F Bearcat/Bu. 121710."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125174556/http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=f8f_bearcat |date=2016-11-25 }} ''National Naval Aviation Museum.'' Retrieved: 11 April 2012.</ref>
;Under Restoration
;;F8F-1
*95356 – to airworthiness by private owner in [[Bentonville, Arkansas]].<ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=4752Y "FAA Registry: N4752Y."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref>
;;F8F-2
*121679 – to airworthiness by private owner in [[Livermore, California]].<ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=818F "FAA Registry: N818F."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref>
*122674 – overhaul to airworthiness by [[Commemorative Air Force]] ([[CAF Southern California Wing Museum|Southern California Wing]]) in [[Camarillo, California]].<ref>[https://www.cafsocal.com/gallery/maintenance/bearcat-down-in-burbank/ "Grumman F8F Bearcat/Bu. 122674."] ''CAF Southern California Wing.'' Retrieved: 12 January 2018.</ref><ref>[https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=7825C "FAA Registry: N7825C."] ''FAA.gov'' Retrieved: 19 July 2021.</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=F8F Bearcat N7825C|url=https://fundrazr.com/b1jkv2|website=CAF 12 Planes of Christmas|access-date=6 May 2023}}</ref>

==Specifications (F8F-2)==
[[File:Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat 3-view line drawing.png|300px|right|3-view line drawing of the Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=F8F Bearcat in Action<ref name="Squadron/Signal">Scrivner 1990, p. 31.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=1
|length ft=28
|length in=3
|length note=
|span ft=35
|span in=10
|span note=
|height ft=13
|height in=10
|height note=
|wing area sqft=244
|wing area note=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/|title=WWII Aircraft Performance|website=www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org|access-date=2019-09-05}}</ref>
|aspect ratio=5.02
|airfoil='''root:''' [[NACA 23018]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA 23009]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight lb=7650
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb10200=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=13460
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Pratt & Whitney R-2800-30W Double Wasp]]
|eng1 type=18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
|eng1 hp=2250
|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=4
|prop name=constant-speed propeller
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph=455
|max speed note=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|range miles=1105
|range note=
|combat range miles=
|combat range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=40800
|ceiling note=
|g limits=
|climb rate ftmin=4465
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading lb/sqft=42
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.22|hp/lb}}
|more performance=<!--<br />
*'''Take-off run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Take-off distance to {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Landing run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Landing distance from {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}-->
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns=4 × 20 mm (.79 in) [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404|AN/M3 cannon]]
|bombs=1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs
|rockets=4 × 5 in (127 mm) [[HVAR]] unguided rockets

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Grumman F6F Hellcat]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Focke-Wulf Ta 152]]
* [[Hawker Sea Fury]]
* [[Supermarine Seafang]]
* [[Mitsubishi A7M]]
* [[Nakajima Ki-84]]
* [[Vought F4U Corsair]]
* [[Boeing XF8B]]
|lists=
* [[List of fighter aircraft]]
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
*[[List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)]]
* [[List of military aircraft of the United States]]
* [[List of United States naval aircraft]]
|see also=
}}

==References==

===Notes===
{{notelist}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|40em}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* Andrews, Hal. ''The Grumman F8F Bearcat'' (Aircraft in profile 107). Windsor, Berkshire, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1972 (reprinted from 1966).
* Bridgman, Leonard. "The Grumman Bearcat". ''Jane’s Fighting Aircraft of World War II''. London: Studio, 1946. {{ISBN|1-85170-493-0}}.
* [[Eric Brown (pilot)|Brown, Eric]]. "Last of the Wartime 'Cats{{'-}}". ''[[Air International]]'', Vol. 18, No. 5, May 1980. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing. {{issn|0306-5634}}.
* Chant, Christopher. ''Grumman F8F Bearcat: Super Profile''. Sparkford, Yeovil, UK: Haynes Publishing, 1985. {{ISBN|0-85429-447-3}}.
* Drendel, Lou. ''U.S. Navy Carrier Fighters of World War II''. Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications Inc., 1987. {{ISBN|0-89747-194-6}}.
* Ewing, Steve. ''Thach Weave: The Life of Jimmie Thach''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. 2004. {{ISBN|1-59114-248-2}}.
* Francillon, Rene J. ''Grumman Aircraft Since 1929''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1989. {{ISBN|0-87021-246-X}}.
* [[William Green (author)|Green, William]]. "Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat". ''War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Four: Fighters''. London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1961, pp.&nbsp;109–111. {{ISBN|0-356-01448-7}}.
* [[William Green (author)|Green, William]] and Gordon Swanborough. "Grumman F8F Bearcat". ''WW2 Fact Files: US Navy and Marine Corps Fighters''. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1976, pp.&nbsp;62–63. {{ISBN|0-356-08222-9}}.
* Gunston, Bill. ''Grumman: Sixty Years of Excellence''. London: Orion Books, 1988. {{ISBN|1-55750-991-3}}.
* Hansen, James R. ''First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong''. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005. {{ISBN|0-7432-5751-0}}.
* Hardy, M. J. ''Sea, Sky and Stars: An Illustrated History of Grumman Aircraft''. London: Arms and Armour Press, 1987. {{ISBN|978-0-85368-832-7}}.
* Maloney, Edward T. ''Grumman F8F Bearcat'' (Aero Series Vol. 20). Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers, 1969. {{ISBN|0-8168-0576-8}}.
* Manevy, Jean Christophe. "French Bearcats in Indo-China 1951–1954". ''[[Air International]]'', Vol. 44, No. 6, June 1993, pp.&nbsp;278–280. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing. {{issn|0306-5634}}.
* Meyer, "Corky". "Clipping the Bearcat's Wing". ''Flight Journal'', Vol. 3, No. 4, August 1998.
* Morgan, Eric B. "Grumman's Hot Rod". ''Twenty-first Profile, Volume 1, no. 12''. New Milton, Hantfordshire, UK: Profile Publications, 1972. {{issn|0961-8120}}.
* Morgan, Eric B. "Grumman Bearcat part II". ''Twenty-first Profile, Volume 2, no. 17''. New Milton, Hantfordshire, UK: Profile Publications, 1972. {{issn|0961-8120}}.
* O'Leary, Michael. ''United States Naval Fighters of World War II in Action''. Poole, Dorset, UK: Blandford Press, 1980. {{ISBN|0-7137-0956-1}}.
* Scrivner, Charles L. ''F8F Bearcat in Action'' (Aircraft Number 99). Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications Inc., 1990. {{ISBN|0-89747-243-8}}.
* Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. ''United States Navy Aircraft since 1911''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press 1991, pp.&nbsp;241–243. {{ISBN|0-87021-792-5}}.
* Taylor, John W.R. "Grumman F8F Bearcat". ''Combat Aircraft of the World from 1909 to the Present''. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969. {{ISBN|0-425-03633-2}}.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://archive.today/20130203221621/http://www.theaviationindex.com/aircraft-types/grumman-f8f-bearcat Grumman F8F Bearcat articles and publications]
* [http://www.warbirdalley.com/bearcat.htm Warbird Alley: Bearcat page – Information about Bearcats still flying today]
* [https://www.scribd.com/doc/81685318 AN 01-85FD-1 Pilot's Handbook for Navy Models F8F-1, F8F-1B, F8F-1N, F8F-2, F8F-2N, F8F-2P Aircraft (1949)]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [http://toniosky7.blogspot.fr/2012/08/grumman-f8f-bearcat.html Pictures from the Grumman archive]

{{Grumman aircraft}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Grumman F08F Bearcat}}
[[Category:Grumman aircraft|F08F Bearcat]]
[[Category:1940s United States fighter aircraft|Grumman F8F]]
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