Aircraft Development

In 1943 the U.S. Navy needed a new fighter that was smaller than the F4U Corsair and the F6F Hellcat. Both aircraft were almost too large for the escort carriers. The Navy wanted a fresh design utilizing the smallest airframe that could accommodate the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine.

The F8F was developed to take advantage of all the many lessons learned from carrier duties. The F8F used wide inward retracting landing gear giving the aircraft a solid footing in take-offs and landings. The design for the wing was a large area with high-lift slotted flaps for quick take offs. The cockpit was located more forward in the design than in the F4U and F6F.

The wingspan was 35 feet 10 inches and 28 feet 3 inches long. The Pratt & Whitney R-2800 double Wasp 18 cylinder radial engine was rated at 2,400hp for takeoff and 2,800hp under combat conditions.

The F8F design was simple and clean with outstanding performance in the air. The first Bearcat flew ten months after the first order for its construction.

“Blue Angle Number One”

The F8F was designed to defend the fleet against the Japanese Kamikaze aircraft that were menacing the American fleet however the F8F never saw combat with the war ending before it was deployed.

Its service then became a favorite for Naval Reserve units across the United States and many other nations worldwide. One of the most famous uses of the Bearcat was its roll in the newly formed Blue Angle Flight Team. The first aircraft the Angels flew was the F6F Hellcat. After several months of exhibitions in the F6F, the Flight Team switched to the F8F.

Unfortunately the Korean conflict began in 1950 and the Blue Angel Flight Team was called back into combat squadrons. Blue Angel Number One, Roy “Butch” Voris, flew the F8F Bearcat pictured above. “Butch” said the flying the F8F was a dream and after the Korean conflict ended the “Blues” flew the new jets that were replacing piston engine aircraft.

In August 1969 a Bearcat that had been modified for civil air racing flown by Darryl Greenamyer set a world record of 482mph.

Would you like a original painting of a Bear Cat signed by Blue Angel Number One, Butch Voris? Let me know.

All research, writings and artwork are by Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette.

No one is permitted to republish any part of this story with out my personal permission.

Please call or e-mail me for any use of this story.

I do not mind sharing, I do not mind people or groups linking to this page, I just need to register them on my "LINKS" page. Thanks!

Sir. Ernie Hamilton Boyette

904-282-4198

e-mail: aviationartstore@peoplepc.com

Back to Famous Aircraft

Hit Counter

2-10-07