Last of the Red Hot Cats

Grumman's Bearcat stands as the era's fastest piston-engined interceptor, prized for unrivaled maneuverability and enduring wartime legacy.

Grumman's F8F Bearcat was the company's last piston-engined aircraft and was introduced into military service with the US Navy at the end of World War Two.

It was said to be the smallest single-seat air frame designed to work with the fastest engine of the time. Once in service, it soon attained a reputation for being a "Red Hot Cat"to fly.

Instantaneously manoeuvrable, this fast interceptor set better records for take-off climb then some of the world speed records, often flying faster than the earliest jets. By 1953, the Bearcats' US military role was ending, and many were sold on to other countries. Fifty remained in storage.

Of these, 24 received civilian registrations, a tally of civilian Cats that increased to 29 with the addition of aircraft salvaged from different world regions.

It is these remaining warbirds that form the subject of this book. Many ultimately found their way to the air-racing circuits, setting records and thrilling crowds.

Robert C. Kennedy has researched the story of each Cat, providing its post-military history, detailing each exchange of ownership and the purpose for which it was bought. Their engine and air frame flying hours are listed.

Included too are photographs of all of the aircraft, many rebuilt or adapted for different purposes, and the exploits of the pilots who flew them.