Grumman F8F Bearcat. Photo. Characteristics.
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Grumman F8F Bearcat. Photo. Characteristics.

Grumman F8F Bearcat. Photo. Characteristics. 

USA

A type: Single-engine piston carrier-based fighter-bomber and night fighter

Crew: Pilot

The last of a long series of piston aircraft company "Grumman" united under the designation «cat», the plane "Birket» (Bearcat - Panda) took into account in its design all the lessons learned in the first two and a half years of fighting in the Pacific. Discarding an unwritten law that says the new fighter has to be more to be better than its predecessor, the plane "Birket" was not only shorter (8,61 m), but it is easier (MTOW 5873 kg - 12 947 pounds) than the plane F6F «Hellcat" (10,23 m length - 33 7 feet inches and a maximum takeoff weight 6991 kg - 15 413 pounds), which it replaces.

Both types of aircraft used the same powerplant with the R-2800 "Double Wasp" engine of the company "Prait-Whitney", but thanks to its more compact design, the Birkat aircraft was superior to the F6F. The Navy was so pleased with the new fighter that they ordered the 2023 of the F8F-1 with the beginning of deliveries from the new, 1945 year. The first part that received the Birkat planes was VF-19, and it was already completing the preparatory work before relocating to the battle zone, when the atomic raids brought the conflict in the Pacific to a dramatic end. In connection with the end of the war, the order was cut to 1258 copies, and production was discontinued in May 1949 year after the delivery of 1266 aircraft F8F. At least 24 combat and reserve parts of the Navy flew on the airplanes "Birket". The last aircraft F8F were decommissioned at the end of 1952.

A number of aircraft were liberated then sold to the French Air Force and Thailand, and while serving in those countries aircraft "Birket" limited part in the fighting in Southeast Asia.

Aircraft performance characteristics:

  • Maximum speed: 680 km / h

Dimensions (to modify F8F-1):

  • Length: 8,61 m
  • Wingspan: 7,87 m
  • Height: 4,2 m

The weight:

  • BLANK: 3206 kg
  • Maximum take-off: 5873 kg

Basic data

Range of flight: 1775 km

Powerplant: R-2800-34W «Double Wasp" Company "Pratt & Whitney"

Power: 2800 l. from. (2087 kW)

Date of first flight:

  • August 21, 1944

The surviving airworthy modifications: XF8F-1, F8F-1/-1В/-1D, F8F-2/-2P и G-58B

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