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Well tehy were superior to the Hellcat.

The Bearcat was designed as an interceptor fighter, with emphasis placed on excellent maneuverability, good low-level performance, and a high rate of climb. It used the same engine as its predecessor the Hellcat, but being smaller and 20% lighter, had a 30% better climb rate than the Hellcat. Its first flight was in August 1944, and while the first squadron of Bearcats was heading for the Pacific, the war ended before this excellent fighter could see operational use.

Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat

Type: Fighter
Crew: Pilot
Armament: four 20mm cannon (War time models would have either 2 20 mm and 2 .50's or 4 .50's)

Specifications:
Length: 27' 6" (8.38 m)
Height: 13' 8" (4.17 m)
Wingspan: 36' 6" (11.12 m)
Wing area: 244 sq. ft (22.67 sq. m)
Empty Weight: 7070lbs (3206 kg)
Gross Weight: 9386lbs (5871 kg)
Max Weight: 12947lbs (5871 kg)

Propulsion:
No. of Engines: 1
Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W
Horsepower: 2100 hp

Performance:
Range: 1105 miles (1779 km)
Cruise Speed: 163 mph (262 km/hr)
Max Speed: 434 mph (698 km/hr)
Climb: 4570 ft/min (1392.87 m/min)
Ceiling: 38900 ft (11856 m)



Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat

Type: Fighter
Crew: Pilot
Armament: six .50 cal machine guns

Specifications
Length: 33' 7" (10.24 m)
Height: 13' 1" (3.99 m)
Wingspan: 42' 10" (13.5 m)
Wing area: 3344 sq. ft (313 sq. m)
Empty Weight: 9238 lbs (4189 kg)
Gross Weight: 15412 lbs (6990 kg)
Max Weight: 15413 lbs (6990 kg)

Propulsion
No. of Engines: 1
Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W
Horsepower: 2000 hp

Performance
Range: 945 miles (1521 km)
Cruise Speed: 168 mph (270 km/hr)
Max Speed: 380 mph (611 km/hr)
Climb: 2980 ft/min (908.26 m/min)
Ceiling: 37300 ft (11368 m)


It would have been far superior to the Hellcat, but woudl not have replaced it completly by 1946. The Bearcat was Faster, climbed better, was more manuverable, and had longer range than the F6F.

UB

Bearcats are not good planes. Why would you want them? They were, according to some on this forum mor eknowledgable on this subject that I am, designed to fill the role of light fighters for the CVEs. Some people think that just because the number is bigger, F8F, that they must be better. Just stick with your coursairs.

I must take issue with this statement. The Bearcat was a MUCH better aircraft than the Hellcat, it was faster, more agile and lighter. It was more heavily armed, with 4 20mm cannons, than a Hellcat. The only reason that the Bearcat did not become as well known as the Hellcat is that the war ended before it was ready for service and then jets rapidly became the planes of choice by '47-'48. Keep in mind that even with the limited number of airframes actually built, many Bearcats continued to fly until recently on the air race circuit. This baby was a HOTROD. Now in terms of game usage, I don't think that it should be in the database, except for scenarios that take place in '46 (i.e. hypothetical invasion of Japan scenarios), as it did not see service during the war.

Rick

ORIGINAL: MadmanRick

Bearcats are not good planes. Why would you want them? They were, according to some on this forum mor eknowledgable on this subject that I am, designed to fill the role of light fighters for the CVEs. Some people think that just because the number is bigger, F8F, that they must be better. Just stick with your coursairs.

I must take issue with this statement. The Bearcat was a MUCH better aircraft than the Hellcat, it was faster, more agile and lighter. It was more heavily armed, with 4 20mm cannons, than a Hellcat. The only reason that the Bearcat did not become as well known as the Hellcat is that the war ended before it was ready for service and then jets rapidly became the planes of choice by '47-'48. Keep in mind that even with the limited number of airframes actually built, many Bearcats continued to fly until recently on the air race circuit. This baby was a HOTROD. Now in terms of game usage, I don't think that it should be in the database, except for scenarios that take place in '46 (i.e. hypothetical invasion of Japan scenarios), as it did not see service during the war.

Rick

Well that's the key. This game goes until Mar '46. But the end of 1945, the F8F would have been in service in fairly significant numbers.