Grumman F8F-2P's and BuNo 121608 to N7700C ...

[Mark Allen M]

Grumman F8F-2P's BuNos 121606 and 121608 were two of the rare photo-recon Bearcats. After her Navy service, 608 was almost sold to Cuba before being sold into private ownership as an exhibition aircraft, registered as N7700C. Bill Fornof was killed while flying her when she crashed in 1971, caused by a wing separation due to metal fatigue. These Photo-reconnaissance versions were fitted with camera equipment, armed with two 20 mm (.79 in) cannons. 60 were built/converted.

F8F-2P BuNos 121606 and 121608 were two of the rare photo-recon Bearcats by Central Repository for Aviation Photos, on Flickr

N500B & N7700C by Central Repository for Aviation Photos, on Flickr

[bdk]

Both involved in fatal crashes only months apart in 1971.

Grumman F8F-2P's BuNos 121606 and 121608 were two of the rare photo-recon Bearcats. After her Navy service, 608 was almost sold to Cuba before being sold into private ownership as an exhibition aircraft, registered as N7700C. Bill Fornof was killed while flying her when she crashed in 1971, caused by a wing separation due to metal fatigue. These Photo-reconnaissance versions were fitted with camera equipment, armed with two 20 mm (.79 in) cannons. 60 were built/converted.

N500B & N7700C by Central Repository for Aviation Photos, on Flickr