Warbird Information Exchange

I was just wondering if anyone had the following data for the Grumman F8F1/2 Bearcat (the important ones are in bold):

Empty Weight
AUW Weight (guns, ammo, equipment etc)
Root Chord
Tip Chord
Aileron Area
Aileron Span
Elevator Area
Tailplane Area
Fin Area
Rudder Area
Tailplane Span
Fin Height
Dihederal
Wing Incidence
Max Flap Deflection
Prop Diameter/Pitch Angles (most sources say 13ft for the prop)

Sadly I don't have a Bearcat Pilots manual or any test reports on it that usually has this kind of information, and whilst I do have some of the above data, I would like to check it for accuracy!

Also, if anyone has accurate HP, MP & RPM Data for the R2800-34W , please post or PM it to me.

Cheers

Paul

I don't have any F8F data,but I can email a copy of the R-2800-34/34W power chart from an F7F manual,if that would be of any use.

That would be great Larry!

I'll PM you with my Email address.

Cheers

Paul

Paul,
A few weeks ago I noticed that one of the local military collectable store owners here in St. Louis had two or three F8F-1 manuals for sale. I'll see him at Creve Coeur Airport today and ask if he still has them. If possible, I'll try to get some copies or at least some information for you. His shop, Overlord Military Collectables is located near where I work.
Albert

_________________
Albert Stix Jr.
"Work is the curse of the drinking class"

Here's what I have out of the Erection & Maintenance Handbook for F8F-1, -1B, -1N, F8F-2, -2N Airplanes. Dated 1 March 1948, revised 15 July 1948.......

Empty Weight: Not included in this manual.
AUW Weight (guns, ammo, equipment etc): Same as above.
Root Chord: 115.87"
Tip Chord: (6" inbd actual tip) 51.5"
Aileron Area: (aft of hinge, including overhang balance fwd. hinge) 20.7 sq. ft.
Aileron Span: 77 1/16"
Elevator Area: (aft of hinge, including 1.4 sq. ft. tab area) 18.6 sq. ft.
Tailplane Area: Horizontal tail area-total, 52.2 sq. ft. (stabilizer, including 3.3 sq. ft. fuselage area, 33.6 sq. ft.)
Fin Area: Vertical tail area-total, 20.8 sq. ft. [F8F-2, 22.5], (fin to rudder hinge, avobe stabilzer centerline, 12.7 sq. ft. [F8F-2, 14.31]
Rudder Area: (aft of hinge, including 0.6 sq. ft. tab area) 8.1 sq. ft. [F8F-2, 8.16]
Tailplane Span: 15' 9"
Fin Height: 8' 11 1/4", from ground (F8F-2 height not listed)
Dihederal: (measured from leading edge of chord plane) 5 degrees 30"
Wing Incidence: At root section (to fuselage ref. line) -1 1/2 degrees
Max Flap Deflection: 40 degrees max. down--16 3/16" down
Prop Diameter/Pitch Angles (most sources say 13ft for the prop): Max. 64 degrees--Min. 29 degrees [F8F-2, Max. 69 degrees--Min. 29 degrees]

Well, I hope this helps,
Gary Austin

I have a few JPGs of performance tables and also the "Profile Publications" issue on the F8F. If you are interested PM me with your E-mail addy!

Christer

Gary, thats exactly what I was looking for - thank you very much!



Thats very kind of you Albert.

I have a few of the American pilots manuals reprints that I've bought online or at airshows but they are a tad harder to get here, although there is a online store that I came across that specialises in them.



Yes I'll do that Christer.

Someone did send me some scans ages ago from the F8F2 PM, but sadly it doesn't have all the info I need!

Thanks again everyone for your help - have a virtual beer on me!

Cheers

Paul

Paul,
I was able to "borrow" the original F8F-1 Erection and Maintenance manual from my friend at the local military collectables shop. I'll try to get some additional information out of it but it looks like Gary was able to get what you need. I always wanted a copy of an F8F manaul, it's my favorite piston engine fighter. There were two of them at the local airport here in St. Louis when I was a kid. I guess I sort of "imprinted" on the type. I will look into making a couple of copies and perhaps scanning it onto a CD. Thanks,

_________________
Albert Stix Jr.
"Work is the curse of the drinking class"

Albert, If you make the CD copies, I'd happily purchase one from you. PM me if you wish to let me know if you want to do that.

Thanks
Gary Austin