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Grumman F8F-
Bearcat |
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Aircraft of the
South Vietnamese Air Force |
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Development |
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Entwicklung |
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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.
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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.
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Variants |
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Versionen |
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F8F-1 |
Standard
version, armed with four 12.7 mm machine guns, powered by a Pratt
& Whitney R-2800-34W radial piston engine. |
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F8F-1 |
Standard
Version. bewaffnet mit vier 12.7 mm Maschinengewehren, angetrieben von
einem Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W Motor. |
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F8F-1B |
Fighter
version, armed with four 20 mm cannons
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F8F-1B |
Jägerversion,
bewaffnet mit vier 20 mm Kanonen
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Operational
history |
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Einsatzgeschichte |
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In June 1956, the French Armée
de l'air transferred about 70 surviving F8F Bearcats (in
various damage conditions) to the then new VNAF, From these, 28 operational planes were fielded as the VNAF’s 1st
Fighter Squadron.
Despite the fighter designation, the squadron was almost completely
dedicated to ground attack missions, just as the departed French had
used the F8F-. The unit was headquartered at Tan Sun Nhut AB but deployed
Bearcats all over South Vietnam.
By the end of the 1950s, the F8Fs were worn-out and their career in
South Vietnam was not long. In 1960, South Vietnam began phasing out the
Bearcat. The 1st Fighter Squadron re-equipped with A-1 Skyraiders in
1961, which would be a much more useful type against the Viet Cong.
The last South Vietnamese Bearcat left service in 1964. The type was a
good first fighter for the South Vietnamese but did not really play a
big part in the war. |
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Im Juni 1956 übertrug die
französische Armée de l'Air etwa 70 verblieben F8F-Bearcats (in
verschiedenen Schadennszuständen) an die damals neue VNAF. Von diesen wurden
28 Einsatzflugzeuge als 1. Jagdstaffel der VNAF in Dienst genommen.
Trotz der Bezeichnung der Jäger war die Staffel fast ausschliesslich für
Bodenangriffe bestimmt, so wie die abziehenden Franzosen die F8F- eingesetzt
hatten. Der Hauptsitz der Staffel befand sich in Tan Sun Nhut AB, aber
Bearcats wurden in ganz Südvietnam eingesetzt.
Gegen Ende der 1950er Jahre waren die F8Fs veraltet und ihre Karriere in
Südvietnam war nicht lang. Im Jahr 1960 begann Südvietnam, die Bearcat aus
dem Dienst zu nehmen. Die 1. Jagdstaffel wurde 1961 wieder mit A-1
Skyraiders ausgerüstet, was ein viel nützlicherer Typ gegen den Vietcong
war.
Die letzte südvietnamesische Bearcat verliess den Dienst 1964. Der Typ war
ein guter Jäger für die Südvietnamesen, spielte aber im Krieg keine grosse
Rolle. |
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CTC |
CTC |
1st Fighter Squadron |
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1st Fighter Squadron |
1st Fighter Squadron |
1st Fighter Squadron |
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Specifications |
F8F-1B |
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
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Grumman F8F- Bearcat |
On 10. March 1956 there are 70 Bearcats left in Vietnam (19 having been
delivered to the Royal Thai Air Force). 2 will be striken off charge, so by order of
USA, 68 aircraft were to be given to the VNAF.
1st batch, 24 aircraft,delivered 7.
May 1956, -
2nd batch, 18 aircraft,
delivered 14. May 1956
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3rd batch, 5 aircraft,
delivered 7 June 1956 -
4th batch, 21 aircraft (ex CTC)
delivered 3 Jul. 1956. |
Type |
US Serial |
Reg. |
s/n |
Delivered |
Withdrawn
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Remarks |
F8F-1 |
094836 |
B (XV-FFB) |
? |
3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1 |
094837 |
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7. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1 |
094781 |
D (XV-FFD) |
? |
3 Jul. 1956 |
? |
Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1 |
094803 |
? |
? |
14. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1 |
094882 |
? |
? |
7. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1 |
094889 |
? |
? |
7. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1 |
094899 |
? |
? |
14. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1 |
094920 |
? |
? |
7. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1 |
094922 |
? |
? |
14. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1 |
094939 |
? |
? |
7. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1 |
094956 |
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? |
7. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1 |
094975 |
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? |
14. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
094983 |
? |
? |
7. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
094993 |
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? |
7. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1 |
094998 |
P (XV-FFP) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1B |
094999 |
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7. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095003 |
R (XV-FFR) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1 |
095015 |
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7. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1B |
095022 |
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7. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1B |
095033 |
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7. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095035 |
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14. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1B |
095039 |
J (XV-FFJ) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1B |
095062 |
H (XV-FFH) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1B |
095068 |
? |
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7. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095092 |
? |
? |
14. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095100 |
? |
? |
14. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1B |
095113 |
S (XV-FFS) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1 |
095114 |
? |
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7. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1B |
095128 |
O (XV-FFO) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
? |
Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1 |
095129 |
? |
? |
14. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1B |
095138 |
? |
? |
7. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1B |
095143 |
N (XV-FFN) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1 |
095146 |
? |
? |
7. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1B |
095190 |
? |
? |
7. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095224 |
? |
? |
14. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095229 |
W (XV-FFW) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1 |
095238 |
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? |
7. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095244 |
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? |
7. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095255 |
95255 I |
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14. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095262 |
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14. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1B |
095295 |
X (XV-FFX) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1 |
095303 |
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? |
7 Jun. 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1B |
095305 |
C (XV-FFC) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
? |
Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1 |
095308 |
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? |
7 Jun. 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095322 |
? |
? |
14. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095338 |
5338 E |
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14. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1B |
095349 |
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? |
14. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095352 |
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? |
7 Jun. 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095379 |
Q (XV-FFQ) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1 |
095381 |
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? |
7 Jun. 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095433 |
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? |
14. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095445 |
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? |
7. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1 |
095453 |
G (XV-FFG) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1 |
095484 |
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? |
14. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1B |
095492 |
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? |
7. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1B |
121482 |
? |
? |
7. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1B |
121484 |
1484 D |
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7. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1B |
121489 |
I (XV-FFI) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1B |
121490 |
Y (XV-FF) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1B |
121491 |
T (XV-FFT) |
? |
3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1B |
121503 |
? |
? |
14. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1B |
121509 |
L (XV-FFL) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1B |
121510 |
1510 G |
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14. May 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1B |
122094 |
? |
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7. May 1956 |
? |
Ex France |
F8F-1B |
122128 |
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? |
7 Jun. 1956 |
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Ex France |
F8F-1B |
122133 |
F (XV-FFF) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1B |
122139 |
A (XV-FFA) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
F8F-1B |
122145 |
V (XV-FFV) |
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3 Jul. 1956 |
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Ex France (CTC) |
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