F8F (Family) - Revision history

U17577377 at 15:51, 21 September 2023

2023-09-21T15:51:55Z

U17686967: "kph" has been updated to "km/h, " a correct abbreviation of speed in the metric system.

2023-06-05T18:53:52Z

"kph" has been updated to "km/h, " a correct abbreviation of speed in the metric system.

U49455941: /* Vehicles */

2020-08-05T03:47:49Z

‎Vehicles

U95595778: /* Variants */

2020-07-06T20:27:13Z

‎Variants

U95595778: /* Variants */

2020-07-06T20:25:27Z

‎Variants

U95595778: /* Variants */

2020-06-29T19:43:07Z

‎Variants

U95595778: /* Variants */

2020-06-29T19:42:36Z

‎Variants

U95595778 at 15:04, 26 June 2020

2020-06-26T15:04:53Z

U95595778: /* Variants */

2020-06-26T15:03:53Z

‎Variants

U95595778: /* Development */

2020-06-26T14:59:38Z

‎Development

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 ==Vehicles==
-[[Category:Family pages]]
+=== Rank III ===
 === Rank IV ===
 * [[F8F-1B]]
 * ▄[[F8F-1B (France)]]
@@ Line 120: / Line 119: @@
 * '''South Vietnam'''
 ** Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF)

@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 '''Weight Reduction Efforts'''
-A goal of a fully loaded weight of 8,750 lb/3,969 kg for the G-58 was set by the design team, but it became clear that the weight goal was impossible as the Bearcat had to be able to sustain rough carrier landings. In order to reduce the weight as much as possible, the internal fuel capacity to 160 gal (606 l); this was later increased to 183 gal. The fixed armament was also limited to four .50 cal M2/AN Browning machine guns, with two in each wing. Because of the reduced fuel load, the Bearcat would be useful as an interceptor, but not for long range patrols; the F6F Hellcat would have to be retained for that role. Later on, the role of defending the fleet from ''kamikaze'' attacks was added. The Bearcat was 20% lighter , had a 30% better climb rate, and was 50 mph (80 kph) faster than the F6F Hellcat.
+A goal of a fully loaded weight of 8,750 lb/3,969 kg for the G-58 was set by the design team, but it became clear that the weight goal was impossible as the Bearcat had to be able to sustain rough carrier landings. In order to reduce the weight as much as possible, the internal fuel capacity to 160 gal (606 l); this was later increased to 183 gal. The fixed armament was also limited to four .50 cal M2/AN Browning machine guns, with two in each wing. Because of the reduced fuel load, the Bearcat would be useful as an interceptor, but not for long range patrols; the F6F Hellcat would have to be retained for that role. Later on, the role of defending the fleet from ''kamikaze'' attacks was added. The Bearcat was 20% lighter , had a 30% better climb rate, and was 50 mph (80 km/h) faster than the F6F Hellcat.
 In order to reduce the weight further, the designers came up with detachable wingtips. Just like other carrier-based fighters, the wings could fold at about 2/3 out to reduce the space it would take up on the carrier. On other fighters the outer, folding portion of the wing was built just as strong as the rest of the wing, but on the Bearcat the outer wing was made to be much lighter, reducing weight. But, this meant that the outer wing would break off if the G force surpassed 7.5 G, as it was designed to. When this occurred, the plane would still be able to fly back to the carrier for repair, and the detachable wingtips saved 230 pounds (100 kg) of weight.
@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 '''First Prototype'''
-Grumman finished the design in November of 1943, and 2 prototypes were ordered on 27 November 1943 with the BuAir designation XF8F-1. The first flight of the XF8F-1 was on 21 August, 1944; it flew only nine months after the design process had started. Testing showed that the first prototype had a 4,800 feet (1,500 m) per minute rate of climb and a top speed of 424 mph (682 kph). It was slightly slower than the Vought F4U Corsair, but it had a better climb rate and was more maneuverable.During the initial testing, a number of problems were discovered. It was horizontally unstable, the trim system was underpowered, the landing gear could only be extended at slow speeds, the airspeed indicator was inaccurate, and the cockpit was cramped.
+Grumman finished the design in November of 1943, and 2 prototypes were ordered on 27 November 1943 with the BuAir designation XF8F-1. The first flight of the XF8F-1 was on 21 August, 1944; it flew only nine months after the design process had started. Testing showed that the first prototype had a 4,800 feet (1,500 m) per minute rate of climb and a top speed of 424 mph (682 km/h). It was slightly slower than the Vought F4U Corsair, but it had a better climb rate and was more maneuverable.During the initial testing, a number of problems were discovered. It was horizontally unstable, the trim system was underpowered, the landing gear could only be extended at slow speeds, the airspeed indicator was inaccurate, and the cockpit was cramped.
 '''Second Prototype'''

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 * [[F8F-1|F8F-1 ''Bearcat'']]
 * [[F8F-1B|F8F-1B ''Bearcat'']]
-* [[F8F-1B (France)]]
+* ▄[[F8F-1B (France)]]
 == Development and Design ==

@@ Line 89: / Line 89: @@
 '''F8F-1(D):''' Unofficial export designation for France and Thailand.
-'''F8F-1E:''' Prototype night fighter variant equipped with APS-4 search radar.
+'''F8F-1E:''' Night fighter variant equipped with APS-4 search radar.
 '''XF8F-1N:''' 2 prototype F8F-1 conversions to a night fighter, equipped with APS-19 radar.

@@ Line 79: / Line 79: @@
 '''G-58B:''' Civil model used by Grumman as a demonstration aircraft, piloted by Roger Wolfe Kahn.
-'''XF8F-1:''' The two prototypes for the F8F-1 Bearcat.[[File:80-G-402219.jpeg|thumb|F8F-1 Bearcats aboard the ''USS'' Philippine Sea off the coast of Sicily, 29 January 1949.]]'''F8F-1:''' The first production model, based on the XF8F-1. It had a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W (2,100 hp), folding wings, self-sealing fuel tanks, 4 x 12.7 mm machine guns, and a retractable tail wheel.
+'''XF8F-1:''' The two prototypes for the F8F-1 Bearcat.[[File:80-G-402219.jpeg|thumb|F8F-1 Bearcats aboard the ''USS'' Philippine Sea off the coast of Sicily, 29 January 1949.]]
 '''F8F-1B:''' F8F-1 but with 4 x 20 mm cannons replacing the machine guns; 100 produced.

@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 == Variants ==
-* '''G-58:''' The Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation designation.
+'''G-58A:''' A civilian model owned by the Gulf Oil Company for the use of Major Alford Williams.
-[[File:80-G-402219.jpeg|thumb|F8F-1 Bearcats aboard the ''USS'' Philippine Sea off the coast of Sicily, 29 January 1949.]]
+'''G-58B:''' Civil model used by Grumman as a demonstration aircraft, piloted by Roger Wolfe Kahn.
-* '''F8F-1:''' The first production model, based on the XF8F-1. It had a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W (2,100 hp), folding wings, self-sealing fuel tanks, 4 x 12.7 mm machine guns, and a retractable tail wheel.
+'''XF8F-1:''' The two prototypes for the F8F-1 Bearcat.[[File:80-G-402219.jpeg|thumb|F8F-1 Bearcats aboard the ''USS'' Philippine Sea off the coast of Sicily, 29 January 1949.]]'''F8F-1:''' The first production model, based on the XF8F-1. It had a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W (2,100 hp), folding wings, self-sealing fuel tanks, 4 x 12.7 mm machine guns, and a retractable tail wheel.
-* '''F8F-1B:''' F8F-1 but with 4 x 20 mm cannons replacing the machine guns; 100 produced.
+'''F8F-1B:''' F8F-1 but with 4 x 20 mm cannons replacing the machine guns; 100 produced.
-* '''F8F-1D:''' F8F-1 aircraft converted to drone control aircraft.
-* '''F8F-1(D):''' Unofficial export designation for France and Thailand.
+'''F8F-1D:''' F8F-1 aircraft converted to drone control aircraft.
-* '''F8F-1E:''' Prototype night fighter variant equipped with APS-4 search radar.
-* '''XF8F-1N:''' 2 prototype F8F-1 conversions to a night fighter, equipped with APS-19 radar.
+'''F8F-1(D):''' Unofficial export designation for France and Thailand.
-* '''F8F-1N:''' Night fighter production model, equipped with APS-19 search radar; 36 produced.
-* '''F8F-1P:''' F8F-1 conversions to a photo-reconnaissance variant.
+'''F8F-1E:''' Prototype night fighter variant equipped with APS-4 search radar.
-* '''F3M-1''' or '''F8M-1:''' Planned designation of F8F-1s produced by General Motors.
-* '''XF8F-2:''' Two prototypes for the F8F-2, featuring an improved engine, revised cowling, and improved tail.
+'''XF8F-1N:''' 2 prototype F8F-1 conversions to a night fighter, equipped with APS-19 radar.
-* '''F8F-2:''' The second major production model, featuring an R-2800-30W engine, a revised engine cowling, an enlarged rudder and stabilizer, and it was armed with 4 x 20 mm cannons; 239 were produced.
-* '''F8F-2D:''' F8F-2s converted to drone control aircraft.
+'''F8F-1N:''' Night fighter production model, equipped with APS-19 search radar; 36 produced.
-* '''F8F-2N:''' Night fighter variant of the F8F-2, with APS-19 radar; 12 produced.
-* '''F8F-2P:''' Photo-reconnaissance variant of the F8F-2, armed with only 2 x 20 mm cannons; 30 produced.
+'''F8F-1P:''' F8F-1 conversions to a photo-reconnaissance variant.
 == Operators ==

@@ Line 75: / Line 75: @@
 * '''G-58:''' The Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation designation.
-** '''G-58A:''' A civilian model owned by the Gulf Oil Company for the use of Major Alford Williams.
+* '''G-58A:''' A civilian model owned by the Gulf Oil Company for the use of Major Alford Williams.
-** '''G-58B:''' Civil model used by Grumman as a demonstration aircraft, piloted by Roger Wolfe Kahn.
+* '''G-58B:''' Civil model used by Grumman as a demonstration aircraft, piloted by Roger Wolfe Kahn.
 * '''XF8F-1:''' The two prototypes for the F8F-1 Bearcat.
-*[[File:80-G-402219.jpeg|thumb|F8F-1 Bearcats aboard the ''USS'' Philippine Sea off the coast of Sicily, 29 January 1949.]]'''F8F-1 Bearcat:''' The first production model, based on the XF8F-1. It had a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W (2,100 hp), folding wings, self-sealing fuel tanks, 4 x 12.7 mm machine guns, and a retractable tail wheel.
-** '''F8F-1B:''' F8F-1 but with 4 x 20 mm cannons replacing the machine guns; 100 produced.
+[[File:80-G-402219.jpeg|thumb|F8F-1 Bearcats aboard the ''USS'' Philippine Sea off the coast of Sicily, 29 January 1949.]]
-** '''F8F-1D:''' F8F-1 aircraft converted to drone control aircraft.
-** '''F8F-1(D):''' Unofficial export designation for France and Thailand.
+* '''F8F-1:''' The first production model, based on the XF8F-1. It had a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W (2,100 hp), folding wings, self-sealing fuel tanks, 4 x 12.7 mm machine guns, and a retractable tail wheel.
-** '''F8F-1E:''' Prototype night fighter variant equipped with APS-4 search radar.
-** '''XF8F-1N:''' 2 prototype F8F-1 conversions to a night fighter, equipped with APS-19 radar.
+* '''F8F-1B:''' F8F-1 but with 4 x 20 mm cannons replacing the machine guns; 100 produced.
-** '''F8F-1N:''' Night fighter production model, equipped with APS-19 search radar; 36 produced.
+* '''F8F-1D:''' F8F-1 aircraft converted to drone control aircraft.
-** '''F8F-1P:''' F8F-1 conversions to a photo-reconnaissance variant.
+* '''F8F-1(D):''' Unofficial export designation for France and Thailand.
 * '''F3M-1''' or '''F8M-1:''' Planned designation of F8F-1s produced by General Motors.
 * '''XF8F-2:''' Two prototypes for the F8F-2, featuring an improved engine, revised cowling, and improved tail.
-* '''F8F-2 Bearcat:''' The second major production model, featuring an R-2800-30W engine, a revised engine cowling, an enlarged rudder and stabilizer, and it was armed with 4 x 20 mm cannons; 239 were produced.
+* '''F8F-2:''' The second major production model, featuring an R-2800-30W engine, a revised engine cowling, an enlarged rudder and stabilizer, and it was armed with 4 x 20 mm cannons; 239 were produced.
-** '''F8F-2D:''' F8F-2s converted to drone control aircraft.
+* '''F8F-2D:''' F8F-2s converted to drone control aircraft.
-** '''F8F-2N:''' Night fighter variant of the F8F-2, with APS-19 radar; 12 produced.
+* '''F8F-2N:''' Night fighter variant of the F8F-2, with APS-19 radar; 12 produced.
-** '''F8F-2P:''' Photo-reconnaissance variant of the F8F-2, armed with only 2 x 20 mm cannons; 30 produced.
+* '''F8F-2P:''' Photo-reconnaissance variant of the F8F-2, armed with only 2 x 20 mm cannons; 30 produced.
 == Operators ==

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 === Production ===
-[[File:F8F-2.jpeg|thumb|Grumman F8F-2 fighters prepare to take of from USS Valley Forge (CV-45), September 1949.]]
+[[File:F8F-2.jpeg|thumb|Grumman F8F-2 fighters prepare to take of from ''USS'' Valley Forge (CV-45), September 1949.]]
 On 6 October, 1944 the Navy ordered 2,023 F8F-1 Bearcat fighters, which were based on the second prototype. On 5 February, 1945 the Navy ordered 1,876 aircraft that were to be produced by General Motors and given the designation F3M-1; the F3M-1 was slightly modified, and it notably had a slightly larger fuel capacity. Grumman began deliveries on 21 May, 1945, but with the end of the war the Grumman order was reduced to 770 aircraft; the General Motors order was cancelled before any aircraft could be delivered.

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 == Development and Design ==
 === Development ===
-The concept of the G-58 (the Grumman designation for what would become the F8F Bearcat) began on 23 June, 1942. The Vice President of Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation Jake Swirbul met with F4F Wildcat pilots that had fought in the Battle of Midway. Jimmie Thatch - one of the pilots - emphasized the fact that climb rate is one of the most important characteristics of a good plane.
+[[File:F6F-5 Hellcat.jpeg|thumb|An F6F-5 Hellcat, the design that preceded and heavily influenced the F8F Bearcat design.]]The concept of the G-58 (the Grumman designation for what would become the F8F Bearcat) began on 23 June, 1942. The Vice President of Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation Jake Swirbul met with F4F Wildcat pilots that had fought in the Battle of Midway. Jimmie Thatch - one of the pilots - emphasized the fact that climb rate is one of the most important characteristics of a good plane.
 Climb rate is linked to power-to-weight ratio, so to increase climb rate a powerful engine and small, lightweight airframe are necessary. Not only would the G-58 have to have a good climb rate, but it also needed to be able to operate from escort carriers, which the F6F Hellcat was too large to operate from, and as such only the obsolete F4F Wildcat could operate from the escort carriers. A small, light aircraft could accomplish both goals; it could operate from the escort carriers and it could have a good climb rate. Grumman began developing the G-58 Bearcat in late 1943, after studying carrier warfare in the Pacific for a year and a half.