Grumman F7F Tigercat: Airailimages Warplane Review

The big Grumman F7F Tigercat was the Navy's first production twin-engine propeller-driven fighter and first production tricycle gear fighter. Expanding on earlier prototype fighters, the F7F arrived as World War II was ending and the jet age was dawning. The Tigercat made a good showing as a 435 mph fighter, but its days were numbered. The Marine Corps took F7F nightfighters into combat over Korea. Designed to carry heavy ordnance, Tigercats were suited to use as civilian air tankers from the late 1950s into the 1970s. A handful of former firefighting Tigercats have been restored and as this video is released, Tigercats may still be seen on the airshow circuit. Here's a look at several of this cat's nine lives in rare photos, film, and video. Give this video a Thumbs Up and subscribe to the Airailimages Channel on YouTube to see more of our special Warplane Review programs. Thanks. A NOTE ABOUT RANGE PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: In the video, we used typical sources to come up with comparison speeds and ranges for the F7F-3, the P-51D, and the P-47N. Subsequent research shows why this topic is fraught with inconsistency. Our original source for the P-47N said range was 800 miles; a different Air Force document says "combat radius" for the P-47N is 800 miles, but "combat range" is 1,705 miles (with both figures in nautical miles). Likewise, the range for the P-51D is likely to go considerably higher with drop tanks. Here's a look at an issue of Airailimages Video Magazine; take a look:    • AIRAILIMAGES VIDEO MAGAZINE Number 36 (Hig...   #f7ftigercat