Modern/Post-War Photos

F7F Tigercat

A rather unknown bird ,the Grumann F7F Tigercat.Only 360 built and 6 are still flying(at least in 2002).First flown in 1943,several variants were eventually built,including single and twin seat versions.This particular plane is a 2-seater.It was also modified for photo-recon missions.Although designed to operate from carriers,Tigercats mostly flew from ground bases.The two 2100 hp radial engines made them pretty powerful,with an impressive max speed of 435 mph.With four .50 machine guns and four 20mm cannon,they had a lot of firepower.The plane could also carry two 1000 pound bombs or a single torpedo.However they arrived too late for service during the war and the arrival of jets made them quickly obsolete.Nevertheless some 64 were converted to nightfighters by adding radar sets in the nose and some served in Korea as electronic -recon aircraft or as target designators for B-29 Superfortress raids.It was one of the few American airplanes with tricycle landing gear,which gives a definite visibility advantage when landing on carriers.Greetz,Brummbar