Originally posted by pipz
Hey thats a bad azzz lookin plane.Is there any material on how it compared to other warbirds?Just curious how it would handle in combat.Can I take it the weapons would have been pretty deadly?
Pipz
Performance was as good or better than the F8F-1 in several areas.
F7F-2N night fighter version, with pilot and radar operator, at full load (less external stores), including 425 gallons of fuel.
Speed at SL: 362 mph
Speed at 21,900 feet: 445 mph
Initial climb: 4,540 ft/min (when flying with 200 gallons of fuel, climb exceeded 5,000 ft/min.
When tested at the Fighter Conference in 1944, it was stated that the F7F could defeat the F6F-5 in a dogfight. Biggest complaints were poor rearward vision, excessive dihedral effect and a lack of longitudinal stability. Later versions had increased rudder area and bulged canopy glass.
Relatively high coefficient of lift, combined with a low wing loading resulted in excellent turning ability (close to the Hellcat)
Armament was four 20mm cannon AND four .50 cal MGs.
Acceleration was faster than the F8F... E retention was insane. Pilots complained that they couldn't slow it down fast enough.
The Tigercat was used extensively in Korea as a night fighter. It proved very effective.
If Japan did not surrender when it did, they would have faced both the F7F and F8F in ever increasing numbers. By October, at least 6 F8F-2 and 3 F7F-2N squadrons would have been fully operational. At the time of the surrender, one F7F-2N squadron was on Okinawa and two or three F8F squadrons were in-route to Japan on carriers. Had the Navy so desired, Grumman could have begun deliveries much sooner and both types would have been in combat by the spring of 1945. As it was, the Navy did not place high priority on either as the F6F-5 was deemed adequate both as a day and night fighter.
My regards,
Widewing
