IMG_5047
Grumman Bearcat F8F G-RUMM
• Aircraft Type: Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation F8F-2P Bearcat
• Operator: The Fighter Collection
• Year of Manufacture: 1948
• Powered by: one Pratt and Whitney R-2800-73
• Colour scheme: VF20 US Navy
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 ended but it was used to great effect in French Indo-China with the French Air Force. The Bearcat could actually outperform many of the early Jet fighter aircraft of the period.
Goodyear Corsair FG-1D G-FGID
• Aircraft Type: Goodyear Aircraft Corporation Corsair FG-1D, G-FGID
• Operator: The Fighter Collection
• Year of Manufacture: 1945
• Powered by: one Pratt & Whitney R-2800-8
• Colour Scheme: British Fleet Air Arm as KD 345 of 1850 Sqn.
“When the Chance Vought FG-1D Corsair was introduced in 1940 it boasted the most powerful engine along with the largest diameter propeller of any fighter aircraft in history. The result of this engine and propeller combination was the first fighter to exceed 400mph. Corsairs were built right up to 1952, giving the type the honour of having the longest production run of any American piston-engined fighter. The first service engagement for the Corsair was with the US Marine Corps operating from makeshift land bases across the Pacific, and it was not until later that she was operated from aircraft carriers initially with the British Fleet Air Arm. The Corsair proved to be a formidable air superiority fighter during World War II when she was the scourge of the skies across the Pacific, and continued to deliver sterling service in later years during the Korean War.”
IMG_5047
Grumman Bearcat F8F G-RUMM
• Aircraft Type: Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation F8F-2P Bearcat
• Operator: The Fighter Collection
• Year of Manufacture: 1948
• Powered by: one Pratt and Whitney R-2800-73
• Colour scheme: VF20 US Navy
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 ended but it was used to great effect in French Indo-China with the French Air Force. The Bearcat could actually outperform many of the early Jet fighter aircraft of the period.
Goodyear Corsair FG-1D G-FGID
• Aircraft Type: Goodyear Aircraft Corporation Corsair FG-1D, G-FGID
• Operator: The Fighter Collection
• Year of Manufacture: 1945
• Powered by: one Pratt & Whitney R-2800-8
• Colour Scheme: British Fleet Air Arm as KD 345 of 1850 Sqn.
“When the Chance Vought FG-1D Corsair was introduced in 1940 it boasted the most powerful engine along with the largest diameter propeller of any fighter aircraft in history. The result of this engine and propeller combination was the first fighter to exceed 400mph. Corsairs were built right up to 1952, giving the type the honour of having the longest production run of any American piston-engined fighter. The first service engagement for the Corsair was with the US Marine Corps operating from makeshift land bases across the Pacific, and it was not until later that she was operated from aircraft carriers initially with the British Fleet Air Arm. The Corsair proved to be a formidable air superiority fighter during World War II when she was the scourge of the skies across the Pacific, and continued to deliver sterling service in later years during the Korean War.”