Grumman F8F Bearcat PDF eBook + Aircraft Flight Manuals

General Characteristics

• Crew: 1 pilot
• Length: 28 ft 3 in (8.61 m)
• Wingspan: 35 ft 10 in (10.92 m)
• Height: 13 ft 9 in (4.21 m)
• Wing area: 244 ft²
• Empty weight: 7,070 lb (3,207 kg)
• Loaded weight: 9,600 lb (4,354 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 12,947 lb (5,873 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W “Double Wasp” two-row radial engine, 2,300 hp (1,715 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 421 mph (366 kn, 678 km/h)
• Range: 1,105 mi (1,778 km)
• Service ceiling: 38,700 ft (11,796 m)
• Rate of climb: 4,570 ft/min (23.2 m/s)
• Wing loading: 39.3 lb/ft² (192.1 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 0.22 hp/lb (360 W/kg)

Armament

• Guns: 4 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) Browning M2 machine guns (F8F-1 and F8F-1N); Four 20mm AN/M3 cannon(F8F-1B)
• Rockets: 4 × 5 in (127 mm) unguided rockets
• Bombs: 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs

XF8F-1

Prototype aircraft, two built.

F8F-1 Bearcat

Single-seat fighter aircraft, equipped with folding wings, a retractable tailwheel, self-sealing fuel tanks, a very small dorsal fin, powered by a 2,100 hp (1,566 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W Double Wasp radial piston engine, armed with four 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns, 658 built.

F8F-1B Bearcat

Single-seat fighter version, armed with four AN/M3 20 mm cannons, 100 built.

F8F-1C Bearcat

Originally designated F8F-1C, re-designated as F8F-1B, 126 built.

F8F-1D

F8F-1s converted into drone control aircraft.

F8F-1(D)B Bearcat

Unofficial designation for export version for France and Thailand.

F8F-1E Bearcat

F8F-1 night-fighter prototype carrying APS-4 radar.

XF8F-1N

F8F-1 conversion into night fighter prototypes.

F8F-1N Bearcat

Night fighter version, equipped with an APS-19 radar, 12 built.

F8F-1P Bearcat

F8F-1 conversion photo reconnaissance conversion.

F3M-1 Bearcat

Planned designation for F8F aircraft constructed by General Motors.

F4W-1 Bearcat

Planned designation for F8F aircraft constructed by Canadian Car and Foundry.

XF8F-2

F8F-1 conversion with engine upgrade, revised engine cowling, taller tail.

F8F-2 Bearcat

Improved version, equipped with a redesigned engine cowling, taller fin and rudder, armed with four 20 mm cannons, powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-30W radial piston engine, 293 built.

F8F-2D

F8F-2s converted into drone control aircraft.

F8F-2N Bearcat

Night-fighter version, equipped with an APS-19 radar, 12 built.

F8F-2P Bearcat

Photo-reconnaissance version, fitted with camera equipment, armed with two 20 mm (.79 in) cannons, 60 built.

G-58A/B

Two civil aircraft. The first was owned by the Gulf Oil Company for the use of Major Alford Williams, the second one was used by Grumman as a demonstrator aircraft and was flown by Roger Wolfe Kahn.