F7F Tigercat Firebomber Question(s)

[Aircraft Mech Paul]

Hi Guys,

When I used to live in Harrisburgh, Pa, around 1982-83, there used to be several F7F's that were tasked into DNR service as flying tanker drop aircraft, ostensibly for firebomber use. I recall seeing them used several times, but recently given all of the topic's such as "If you could have ONE plane...." and the expressed interest by some of their desire to have the Tigercat, my thoughts turned to these former (?) firebombers. Does anyone know what became of them, were they simply scrapped, have they found new homes to rise agin as firt rate restorations, or are they still plying the skies as firebombers ? And, finally, how many were pressed into service doing this task.

I am sure it would take a rather huge amount of investigating, but I think I may be able to find some photo's of a couple of them in my own photo library to scan if folks would want to actually see what I am refferring to. But I thought I'd toss out the question first to see if any of the folks here might have any info on this before I go through the "mountain" that I call my photo library.

Thanks a ton in advance,

Respectfully,

Paul

[Scott Rose]

Some of them are still around

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f7fregis ... 80390.html
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f7fregis ... 80412.html
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f7fregis ... 80425.html
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f7fregis ... 80483.html
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f7fregis ... 80532.html
http://www.warbirdregistry.org/f7fregis ... 80373.html

[Swiss Mustangs]

Paul & all

here's one for illustration purposes = N6178C 1985

(and yes Scott - you may of course use it for the registry -> BuNo. 80483)



Martin

Last edited by Swiss Mustangs on Tue Jun 28, 2005 4:39 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Swiss Mustangs]

and N6129C -> Bu.No. 80390 1972



Martin

[Jack Cook]

Most of the survivng F7Fs are around thanks to the Kreitzberg brothers here in Salem who brought a number of the surplus with the idea of using them for firebombing. Somewhere around this madhouse I've got some pictures of the stashed.

[Saville]

Even in it's firefighting mode it sure is a gorgeous airplane.

Thanks for the photos and the links to photos
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[Swiss Mustangs]

You guys know Ron Olson's Archive ?

here's a link to another Tigercat Tanker

http://www.ronsarchive.com/oou05/pages/6809ck01-244.htm

one more

http://www.ronsarchive.com/oou04/pages/ ... 1_1864.htm

and one more

http://www.ronsarchive.com/oou02/pages/6809ck16_259.htm


main page:

http://www.ronsarchive.com/index.htm

Lots of other tankers , warbirds, racers etc. to be found.

Happy right clicking !


martin

[Scott Rose]

(and yes Scott - you may of course use it for the registry -> BuNo. 80483)

Thanks Martin!