Grumman F8F Bearcat

Grumman F8F Bearcat

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"...Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat Bu121748 (manufacturers number D.1122) was accepted by the US Navy on 20/09/48 and served until January 1, 1957 when it was put up for disposal.... (later) it raced as No. 7 in the Reno Air Races.... It arrived in France the December 24, 1999.... (and) is now based at Annemasse, France near Geneva, Switserland.... (It) is now one of the two only Bearcat in flying condition in Europe...." For more information and recent photos, see source: France Warbirds

The following text from Aviation Week is not unique to the aircraft pictured:
08/25/1969. Edwards AFB, California, USA. - New world class speed records of 483.041 mph (777.379 kmh) for piston-engine aircraft has been set by Darryl G. Greenamyer in a modified Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat. The mark, set August 16, breaks a 30-year record of 469.220 mph (755.136 kmh) established by Fritz Wendel in a German Messerschmitt Bf 109R on April 26, 1939. Greenamyer estimated he was running the Bearcat's modified Pratt & Whitney R-2800 at about 3,000 hp. during each of the... passes. No serious problems were encountered. although a cracked stack permitted exhaust gases to enter the fresh air duct and raised cockpit temperature to an uncomfortable 150 F (66 C) level. The stick also became so hot that Greenamyer wore gloves for the second series of runs. Greenamyer, a Lockheed SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft test pilot, plans to race the Bearcat at Reno, Nevada, USA....


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"...Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat Bu121748 (manufacturers number D.1122) was accepted by the US Navy on 20/09/48 and served until January 1, 1957 when it was put up for disposal.... (later) it raced as No. 7 in the Reno Air Races.... It arrived in France the December 24, 1999.... (and) is now based at Annemasse, France near Geneva, Switserland.... (It) is now one of the two only Bearcat in flying condition in Europe...." For more information and recent photos, see source: France Warbirds The following text from Aviation Week is not unique to the aircraft pictured: 08/25/1969. Edwards AFB, California, USA. - New world class speed records of 483.041 mph (777.379 kmh) for piston-engine aircraft has been set by Darryl G. Greenamyer in a modified Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat. The mark, set August 16, breaks a 30-year record of 469.220 mph (755.136 kmh) established by Fritz Wendel in a German Messerschmitt Bf 109R on April 26, 1939. Greenamyer estimated he was running the Bearcat's modified Pratt & Whitney R-2800 at about 3,000 hp. during each of the... passes. No serious problems were encountered. although a cracked stack permitted exhaust gases to enter the fresh air duct and raised cockpit temperature to an uncomfortable 150 F (66 C) level. The stick also became so hot that Greenamyer wore gloves for the second series of runs. Greenamyer, a Lockheed SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft test pilot, plans to race the Bearcat at Reno, Nevada, USA....