Bearcat - The Fighter Collection - Imperial War Museum, Duxford

The Fighter Collection's Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat, G-RUMM.
The Bearcat design was the Grumman response to the US Navy’s request in the latter war years for a fast responsive fighter to be deployed in the Pacific Theatre. The type did not see operational service during the Second World War as the conflict had ended before the type saw combat service. It was however used to great effect in French Indo-China by the French Air Force. The Bearcat could outperform many early Jet fighter aircraft of the period.

The Fighter Collection aircraft was built in 1948 and taken on charge in August of that year by the US Navy. She served at a number of Naval Air Stations before undergoing modification to F8F-2P standard in 1952. The F8F-2 was anImproved version, equipped with a redesigned engine cowling, taller fin and rudder, armed with four 20 mm cannons, powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-30W radial piston engine. The F8F-2P was a further modified Photo-reconnaissance version, fitted with camera equipment, armed with only two 20 mm (.79 in) cannons, of which 60 were built.
Following further Navy service she was finally struck off charge in January 1957. It then passed through two sets of private ownership in the US, the first between 1957 and 1972, and the second until 1981. It was under this second private ownership that she underwent a full overhaul and flew once again in 1975. It was in 1981 that the Bearcat joined what was to become The Fighter Collection and has gone on to be the longest serving member of the fleet.
Grumman Bearcats were operated by the US Navy, US Marine Corps, French Air Force, Royal Thai Navy and Republic of Vietnam Air Force. 21 Bearcats survive of which 15 are currently airworthy. This is currently the only airworthy F8F-2P and the only airworthy Bearcat in the UK and Europe.

Filmed at Imperial War Museum, Duxford during the 'Best of 2021 Flying Day' on 9th October 2021.

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