Grumman F8F- Bearcat
Entwicklung
Designed for the interceptor fighter role, the design team's aim was to create the smallest, lightest fighter that could fit around the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine. In comparison with the Vought F4U Corsair, the initial Bearcat (F8F-1) was marginally slower but was more maneuverable and climbed more quickly. Its huge Aero Products four-bladed propeller required a long landing gear. 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. For the first time in a production Navy fighter, a bubble canopy offered 360° visibility.
Für die Abfangjäger Rolle entworfen, hatte das Design-Team das Ziel, die kleinste, leichteste Maschine, die rund um den Pratt & Whitney R-2800-Motor passt zu entwerfen. Im Vergleich zur Vought F4U Corsair, war die erste Bearcat (F8F-1) nur geringfügig langsamer, aber manövrierbarer und stieg schneller. Der grosse Aero Products Vierblattpropeller erforderte ein langes Fahrwerk. Ein weiterer Vorteil des nach innen einziehenden Fahrwerks war die breite Spur, welche den grossen Drehmoment Propeller beim Start gut ausglich und der F8F eine guten Boden- und Träger-Deck Handhabung gaben. Zum ersten Mal in einem Navy Jagdflugzeug, wurde eine Vollglashaube die 360° Sicht bietet eingebaut.
Versionen
F8F-1
Standard version, armed with four 12.7 mm machine guns, powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W radial piston engine.
F8F-1
Standard Version. bewaffnet mit vier 12.7 mm Maschinengewehren, angetrieben von einem Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W Motor.
F8F-1B
Fighter version, armed with four 20 mm cannons
F8F-1B
Jägerversion, bewaffnet mit vier 20 mm Kanonen
Improved version, armed with four 20 mm cannons, powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-30W radial piston engine, 293 built.
Verbesserte Version. bewaffnet mit vier 20 mm Kanonen, angetrieben von einem Pratt & Whitney R-2800-30W Motor, 293 gebaut.
Operational history
Einsatzgeschichte
The RTAFpurchased 129 F8F- Bearcats in 1951. A second batch of 75 planes (including 38 bought third-hand from France) was purchased later, for a total of 204 Bearcats. Thailand designated the plane “Type 15 Fighter”.
The first batch of 40 planes was delivered as deck cargo aboard the WWII-veteran carrier USS Cape Esperance (CVE-88) and became operational late in 1951. It was instantly popular with Thai pilots. The Bearcat was roled both as an air defense interceptor and as a ground attack plane. Thai units flying the Bearcat were initially assisted by a US Air Force Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG). Besides replacing Japanese-made WWII-era fighters, the Bearcat squadrons were realigned along USAF lines.
Officially, the Bearcat was withdrawn from frontline Thai service between 1960-1962. Some were still flying as squadron “hacks” as late as 1964. According to USAF personnel stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War, there was still one Bearcat flying “off the books” as late as 1972, most likely in some sort of specops support role.
Pictures
Bilder
This Thai looking Bearcat ist in fact an US Bearcat an is flying in California. (Photo collection of Phakphum Tangkijjarak)
| Specifications | F8F-2 | |
|
Wingspan |
Spannweite |
10.92 m |
|
Length |
Länge |
8.61 m |
|
Height |
Höhe |
4.21 m |
| Wing area | Flügelfläche | 22,67 m² |
|
Engine |
Motor |
1× Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W "Double Wasp" 2,100 hp |
|
Maximum speed |
Höchstgeschwindigkeit |
678 km/h |
|
Empty weight |
Leergewicht |
3,207 kg |
|
Loaded weight |
Startgewicht |
5,873 kg |
|
Climb Rate |
Steigrate |
23.2 m/s |
|
Service ceiling |
Gipfelhöhe |
11,796 m |
|
Range |
Reichweite |
1,778 km |
|
Armament |
Bewaffnung |
4 × 12.7 mm machine guns 454 kg of bombs |
| Serial, Grumman F8F- Bearcat | ||||||
| Type |
US Serial |
Reg. |
s/n |
Delivered |
Withdrawn |
Remarks |