|
| Very different from the Grumman 'cats' which had preceded it, the F7F Tigercat (as it became known) was designed as a twin-engined fighter-bomber for operation from the then new Midway class of aircraft carriers displacing 45,000 tons. In fact it was not until 1945 that F7F-4Ns were delivered equipped with arrester gear and suitable for carrier operations. In spite of its size, speed and tricycle landing gear, the Tigercat also operated successfully from carriers of the Essex class.
The prototype XF7F-1, which flew for the first time in December 1943, had been designed for a close-support role. To provide high performance and the capability to carry a heavy weapon load, it was powered by two 1,565kW radial engines mounted in underwing nacelles. Deliveries of single-seat land-based production F7F-ls to the US Marine Corps began in April 1944, but only small numbers entered service before production of a two-seat night fighter was initiated - this having the designation F7F-2N Tigercat. Other variants included F7F-3 single-seat day fighters, similar to the -1, and -3N and -4N two-seat night fighters. Tigercats were developed too late for operational deployment in World War II, and while small numbers served post-war with the Marine Corps, these were soon displaced by first-generation jet-powered fighters/fighter-bombers.
 | A three-view drawing of F7F-2N radar-equipped night fighter (1280 x 888) |
| MODEL | F7F-3 |
| CREW | 1 |
| ENGINE | 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W Double Wasp, 1566kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 11666 kg | 25719 lb |
| Empty weight | 7380 kg | 16270 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 15.7 m | 52 ft 6 in |
| Length | 13.83 m | 45 ft 4 in |
| Height | 5.05 m | 17 ft 7 in |
| Wing area | 42.27 m2 | 454.99 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 700 km/h | 435 mph |
| Cruise speed | 357 km/h | 222 mph |
| Ceiling | 12405 m | 40700 ft |
| Range | 1931 km | 1200 miles |
| ARMAMENT | 4 x 20mm cannons, 4 x 12.7mm machine-guns, 2 x 454kg bombs, 1 x torpedo |
| Kerry, e-mail, 13.09.2009 02:28 Does anyone know why the F7F-3 was not used more? In research for an article I am writing, I have found that at least two squadrons (VMF-312 and VMF-911) flew the day fighter version but both transitioned back to F4Us prior to deployment. Was this solely because of the problems the plane had on carrier landings? reply | | Bogus, e-mail, 23.03.2009 02:43 I saw one in the hangar at Nattc Norman Oklahome in late '55-56. sharp looking plane, i thought. reply | | George Perez, e-mail, 29.11.2008 04:50 I was a member of VMD 254 3rd MAW. We had the two seat photo bird on Okinawa toward the end of hostilities. This model had a problem landing on a carrier as the wing would come lose at the rear attachment point when the hook caught the wire. We used them only as land based aircraft.
After the war the squadron was assigned the mission of mapping the entire coast of China where we lost two aircraft and one crew due to a navigational error. It was 64 years ago and my memory is a little hazy but I still remember that it was fun to chase an Air Corps P-51 in a dog fight as the F7F could force it to fly right to the ground trying to get away. reply | | David Arnold, e-mail, 15.08.2008 08:14 I've seen 2 of these birds flying together at the Chino Planes of Fame airshow a few years ago. Talked to the pilots and was told they were surplused out of the foresty service where they were used as water bombers and restored by the current owners to naval spec. Amazingly gorgeous aircraft in the air, and what a treat to see a pair in formation. reply | |
| | Ron, e-mail, 04.05.2008 08:51 When its fuel tanks were empty the F7 would sit back on its tail with the nose wheel off the ground.This seriously disturbed Air Force personnel who reported it as an emergency.To get rid of frantic reports about this phenomenom the mechanics put a 55 gallon drum with an ammo crate on top to keep it level.It did yeoman duty in Korea as a fighter shooting down PO-2 biplanes and providing night close air support with Marine squadrons 513 & 542. reply | | tony, e-mail, 02.05.2007 21:03 tigercat seen flying over ipswich,suffolk,today 02 /05 /2007 a real pleasure to see and here... reply | | Rui Marques, e-mail, 02.02.2007 11:32 Big and beutifull aircraft.It did enter combat in ww2,in the final stages of the war. reply |
|
Do you have any comments?
|
| 
COMPANY
PROFILE
All the World's Rotorcraft
|
