"Morgans" wrote in
news

"Dudley Henriques" wrote

The 51 was a fine airplane, and it worked well at all altitudes but
it was nearing the end of its run at the end of the war.
I loved the airplane and flew it often but for me, flying the F8F
Bearcat one sunny afternoon in December, redefined the meaning of the
term "prop fighter performance".
In my opinion, if the war had lingered on and the Bear had been mass
produced for both theaters, the F8F would have not seen its match
anywhere.

Interesting. I had never heard that expressed, before.

Would the F8F had the legs to do the long range bomber escort
missions?

How about top speeds; was it as fast, or faster than the 51?


Faster, I believe. It held the piston speed record with mods.
Range would have been about the same with drop tanks.
It could also beat any jet to 10,000 fee well into the seventies.

I'm with Dudley. this airplane was way sexier than the Mustang in my book.
I was sorely tempted to go down to Junior Burchinal's place and blow every
penny I had on a checkout in one at one stage, but probbly found something
else to blow it on!
I know someone who did just that though. He ended up dusting for Junior and
spent every dime on flying his mustang on weekends. He also got typed in
the B-17



Bertie