mmattockx

I am looking for a twin fighter (probably used as a night fighter, as all pics I have seen are painted deep blue or black) from the late WWII - Korean War era, built by the US. It is powered by a pair of big radials and looks like it's going about 500mph sitting on the runway. I used to have some info on this thing and it has gone missing, along with my recollection of it's F# and name. Anybody know what I am talking about?

Thanks,
Mark

Chad Veich

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F7F Tigercat?

mmattockx

That's the one! Thanks for the help, Chad.


Mark

Tall Paul

Those were used as fire bombers for awhile..
And without the belly tank as an unlimited racer.

BMatthews

I saw the one at Reno last year. I had no idea one of these was flying there. WHAT A TREAT!

Try PM'ing Wil Robinson . He had a little version. Not sure what it was powered with or where he got the plans.

Tall Paul

That stalky nose gear would be a problem.
I bet the full-scale has to be a blast to fly!

dolanosa

I think they have one at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. I know they had the cull colleciton of the Grumman "Cats" except for the Tomcat.

wascamp

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The F7F was not designed as a night fighter. It was intended as a fleet protection fighter. As a navy fighter it was painted the dark blue used until the late fiftys or early sixtes. During the Korean war F4U corsairs were used in the night fighter role and they were black. There might have been a small number assigned as nightfighters but I don't recall ever seeing one. The army used the P-61 as a dedicated night figter both in Europe and the Pacific. During the korean war the Airforce had a few twin mustangs blacked out for night fighter duty. I have seen photos of black F-51's and even a black B26 or two. All were painted with red markings. The F7F was very short lived in fleet service, coming into service too late to make an impact during WWII, and was replaced by jets in the early 50's. Bearcats were flown several of our allies after removal from the fleet, but I can't think of any Tigercats that saw foreign service.

RVM

That's a sharp looking plane!

Chad Veich

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There were many F7F's used in the night fighter role as indicated by the second seat and the "N" suffix added to the designation, ie, F7F-2N, 3N, and 4N. If you look closely you will see the rear canopy of the radar operators position in the pic of the restored example that I posted above.