Grumman F7F Tigercat

Grumman · United States · first flew 1943 · fighter

The Grumman F7F Tigercat was the most powerful piston-engine fighter to enter US Navy service, featuring twin R-2800 radials, a tricycle undercarriage, and heavy cannon armament. It arrived too late for carrier operations in WWII but served with the Marines as a night fighter.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	13.83 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Twin-engine carrier fighter with nose-mounted cannon
Two large Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radials in prominent nacelles
Tricycle undercarriage — unusual for WWII naval fighters

A large twin-engine naval fighter with two big radials in prominent nacelles, a broad mid-wing, retractable tricycle gear, and a slightly bulky fuselage; its twin-engine layout is unusual among WWII-era single-seat fighters.

Specifications

The Grumman F7F Tigercat has a length of 13.83 m (45 ft).
It has a wingspan of 15.7 m (52 ft).
Its maximum speed is 700 km/h (435 mph).
Typical crew: 1 (or 2 in F7F-3N).

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The Tigercat flew in November 1943 and was designed for the large Midway-class carriers. Conventional decks of WWII escort and fleet carriers limited its use, and it did not see combat in that war. The F7F-3N night-fighter version served with Marine Corps squadrons in Korea, where it performed intruder and interdiction missions effectively.

Variants

F7F-1 single-seat day fighter; F7F-2N two-seat night fighter; F7F-3 improved single-seat; F7F-3N two-seat night fighter used in Korea.

Where you'll see it

Operated by the US Marine Corps during the Korean War; not used by foreign air arms.

Related aircraft

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