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VAN GILDER AVIATION PHOTOGRAPHY
Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat
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REG #: N7825C
BuNo: 122674
C/N: D-1227
Current Aircraft Status: Grounded - Maintenance
Photo © Eric Van Gilder
Specs
Manufacturer: Grumman
Type: Fighter
Engine: 2,200 HP Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W
Wing Span: 35 ft. 6 in.
Length: 27 ft. 6 in.
Height: 13 ft. 10 in.
Max Speed: 421 MPH
Cruise Speed: 163 MPH
Ceiling: 38,000 ft.
Max Range: 1,435 Miles
Normal Range: 865 Miles
Empty Weight: 7,070 lbs.
Max Weight: 13,000 lbs.
Fuel Consumption: (average) 85 GPH
Armament: Four M3 20 mm Cannons
Number Built: 1,266
Number Still Flying: 13
Background
The F8F Bearcat was first delivered to the Navy in 1944 for carrier protection. It gave the US Navy the edge over the Japanese fighter types. Although it was never used in air-to-air combat during WWII, it provided the Navy's first post-war line of defense. The idea was to launch, get up high quickly, and pounce upon the enemy at short range. The aircraft was designed with manual folding wings to be flown off an aircraft carrier during WWII. By the time the aircraft was on the carrier and ready to prove it's war capability, the war was over. A total of 1,200 Bearcats were built. The Navy retired them in 1952 and only about 13 of them fly today. The Bearcat was used by the Blue Angels aerobatic team from 1945 through mid 1949.
The Bearcat holds the piston-powered world record for its time to climb. That record is 91 seconds from brake release at sea level to 10,000 feet. It is said to have held this record for almost three decades until finally beaten by the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Bearcat N7825C
Built: March 1949
282 F8F-2's were built between October 1947 and May 31, 1949. This was the 34th from the last Bearcat produced, and the youngest one remaining.
This F8F-2 Bearcat was donated to the CAF on February 8, 1972. The plane flew for the CAF as "102" for many years. Eventually the aircraft was flown to Camarillo on March 29, 1992. The Southern California Wing performed an extensive restoration and new paint job with "201" on the nose, which took 18 months.
This aircraft has been participating in air shows since spring 1994. The aircraft has become very popular, attending about 20 air shows a year now, and flies in formation with the F-18 Hornet as a commemorative performance called the "Legacy Flight". The aircraft also does a solo aerobatic performance at many air shows.
Copyright © Commemorative Air Force, INC. except as otherwise marked. All rights reserved.
