Grumman F8F Bearcat

The F8F-1 plane is a continuation of the famous "cat" family of Grumman fighter planes, which include the F4F Wildcat, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat. Prototypes of the aircraft, designated XF8F-1, were flew on August 21, 1944. The US Navy Command placed an order for 2023 new aircraft, they began their service on May 21, 1945 in the VF -19 squadron of the US Navy. By 1948, 24 squadrons were equipped with them, and in 1949 another four. By May 1949, a total of 1,268 pieces of this aircraft were produced in various versions, including the F8F-2 with an elevated vertical stabilizer, the F8F -2N night fighter with a radar reservoir on the wing. A characteristic feature of the aircraft is the landing gear which, due to the use of the mid-wing and large diameter propeller (383 cm), has a large height and is folded in a specific way. The classic telescopic shin is movably attached to the forging. When hiding, the shin is somehow broken and only then pulled into the flap. Outside the US, the aircraft were operated by the United Kingdom, France, Finland and Siam. French planes participated in the intervention in Vietnam in 1951. A small series of aircraft was also produced under the designation G-58A Gulfhawk for the Naval Aviation Aerobatic Team. Despite the rather bulky fuselage and the engine drive in a star system (large frontal area), the specially prepared plane set a speed record of 776.67 km / h on August 16, 1969, breaking the previous record, from May 26, 1939, to Me209V1 and was 755.13 km / h.