[jim]

Originally Posted by FormerViperDriver

I'm with Skunky, I want a Bearcat. It was an awesomely maneuverable aircraft for its time, and I like its looks (in a weird kind of way, and I certainly won't argue that it looks better than a Sea Fury).

FVD

A Bearcat looks better than a Fury?????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????

DOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Taff the Terrible]

Is it just me who really really wants a 110, BoB would be great but anything would do.
Taff

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by planenutsfrog

manufacturers have not been interested in the Bearcat (yet), because its only war record was with the French Air Force in Indochina (an "obscure" air force in an "obscure" war for them...)

On the other hand, the Sea Fury was flown by the Commonwealth Naval Aviations during the war in Korea, and so we have it as a diecast.

This is exactly what I hate. Why is it that every aircraft has to have been involved in combat for any of us to admire it? If it hasn't shot the other guy's plane out of the sky or obliterated someone else's real estate all to hell, we find it unworthy of our admiration?

Something to ponder: Is a soldier,sailor,airman or Marine who serves his country in peacetime or non-combat zone, to be ignored or maligned simply because he/she never had the opportunity (or misfortune) to be battle-tested?...I like to think of these people and machines as the 'peacekeepers', whose contribution to their nations and the world are every bit as important as their battle-hardened brethren.

The Bearcat may have missed out on most of the kill-festivities, but she was still a fabulous aircraft..For all practical purposes it was the first real steed of the Blue Angels (1946-1949). The F6F Hellcat initially flew about a half dozen or so shows previously, but the team didn't even have a name yet, and was still trying to establish themselves as a legitimate demo team.

[flyXwire]

....And you ALL better not mess with Skunky about his Bearcat or ya'll suffer the consequences!

[jim]

Hey Skunky, for many years the airshow at Duxford always finished with the Bearcat and Sea Fury doing a synchronised display.
Almost wingtip to wingtip. Slow loops and rolls etc, it was a beautfull sight to see two powerfull aircraft flown so gracefully together.

I am certain that if the Bearcat had been called upon to do its bit it would have proved itself and been a formidable fighter.

[Ara1]

Originally Posted by jim

I am certain that if the Bearcat had been called upon to do its bit it would have proved itself and been a formidable fighter.

Agreed, and well said.

[Elmer]

Geez Skunky... I didn't know you were this passionate about anything except humorous sarcasm and Corgi Mustangs.

I am actually quite touched.

[markko]

Gentlemen,gentlemen--calm down; okay, now I'll take two of each(1/48 scale please). ----Happy collecting, markko

[FormerViperDriver]

Originally Posted by Taff the Terrible

Is it just me who really really wants a 110, BoB would be great but anything would do.
Taff

Oh, no, you're not the only one. I desperately want a 1/48 110, BoB, desert, and then a night-fighter version. That IXO 1/72 doesn't quite do it (although better than nothing...)

FVD

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by jim

Hey Skunky, for many years the airshow at Duxford always finished with the Bearcat and Sea Fury doing a synchronised display.
Almost wingtip to wingtip. Slow loops and rolls etc, it was a beautfull sight to see two powerfull aircraft flown so gracefully together.

I would love to have seen that!

Well guys, if I sounded a little overly passionate about the Bearcat I guess it's just because....I'm overly passionate about the Bearcat!...

It started ages ago when I saw my first one at an airshow at (the now defunct) NAS So.Weymouth,MA..Although I was very familiar with Mustangs,Spits,Corsairs etc. I had never heard of the F8F...This guy, Bill Fornof, really wrung this machine out for all it was worth. To me it just looked like a huge propeller with a very loud barrel attached to it. He kept bringing that thing down so low, with each pass I was certain he was going to dig that huge fan into the concrete..Then up he would go into an Immelmann and........you get the picture. I was in love with the Cat from that moment on.

Tragically, Bill lost his life when his Bearcat went down while performing with his son (also flying an identically painted F8F) at an airshow at NAS Quonset Point, RI in 1971.

Here's a photo of Bill's magnificent F8F taken during the mid 1960s..