BEARCAT

Many aviation experts consider Roy Grumman's F8F "Bearcat" to be the pinnacle of American piston-engine aircraft design. Neil Armstrong, as part of his Naval Air Training, solo'd in it at age 19 and forever after said it was his favorite 'fun-to-fly' airplane!

Many claim, with some justification, that Bob Hall, after flying a captured Focke-Wulf Fw-190 in 1943, approached his boss Roy Grumman about a powerful new design. This scenario has credence because Mr. Hall designed the Granville Bros. "Gee-Bee" Series 1930's Air Racers. He believed that a powerful engine in a small air-frame was an unbeatable combination - and once the prototype flew, his views were more than justified!

I think the 'Bearcat' did become operational before WW-II ended, but it never deployed into actual combat. Regardless, it served with distinction with the French in Indo-China during the early 50's and, of course, 'soldiers on' to this day in modern air racing!

Great image, gonna have to learn the history of this one....nice 1FD