Has there ever been a two seat Bearcat?

[Zac Yates]

Hi all,
Thanks to books, magazines and the internet this Millennial has learned there have been two (or more!) seat conversions of Corsairs, Hellcats, Wildcats and Lightnings to name but a few over the years. But has anyone ever converted an F8F to have a jump seat?

Just an idle thought I've had from time to time.

[k5083]

Yes, Gulfhawk IV had a jump seat when Elmer Ward owned it.

One of the pics on this Facebook page shows 2 guys in it.

https://www.facebook.com/MustangDaysNut ... 594766955/

August

[Neal Nurmi]

John Herlihy owned Bearcat 98 for a while in the late 1970s. He had a back seat for a while, but was apparently unhappy with the lack of rollover structure.

It looked tight...

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[Lon Moer]

Back in the late '70s/early '80s, John Herlihy had a Bearcat and a Mustang "This Is It". We asked him about the Mustang after he sold it and he said 'I had the Mustang so I could bring my wife when she wanted to come along to a show. After I put the back seat in the Bearcat I didn't need the Mustang'.

always thought that was funny.

- photos from C.Aro

[Mike]

That must be the one that Stephen Grey had a ride in before he bought his first Bearcat. I remember him telling me that, with the structure behind the pilot’s seat gone, the tail used to twist in flight

[Warbirdnerd]

Did Bu95356 have a spot for a passenger in the fuselage ala the Foote Wildcat at one point? I seem to recall a side window in an old photo...

[pjpahs]

The Wildcat owned by the Collings Foundation, Bu86680, has seating for 4 in the fuselage. Had seen it if I remember correctly at Thunder over Michigan. Or it could have been the Reading Penn. WW2 weekend.

[Zac Yates]

Thank you folks, asked and answered! Just one of those things that came to mind suddenly.

[Lon Moer]

Did Bu95356 have a spot for a passenger in the fuselage ala the Foote Wildcat at one point? I seem to recall a side window in an old photo...

Bob Kucera had a Bearcat N212KA with two rear facing internal seats back in the late '60s.

[Warbirdnerd]

Did Bu95356 have a spot for a passenger in the fuselage ala the Foote Wildcat at one point? I seem to recall a side window in an old photo...

Bob Kucera had a Bearcat N212KA with two rear facing internal seats back in the late '60s.

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That's the paint scheme I remember. Oddly neither N212KA nor Bob Kucera are listed in Goodall's Warbird Directory.

Last edited by Warbirdnerd on Fri Dec 03, 2021 7:33 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Christer]

Rear facing seats ... ... wouldn't that make you puke like a sick bear ... ... or cat?

[bdk]

That must be the one that Stephen Grey had a ride in before he bought his first Bearcat. I remember him telling me that, with the structure behind the pilot’s seat gone, the tail used to twist in flight

Probably always did just now observation is possible!

[sledge39]

Did Bu95356 have a spot for a passenger in the fuselage ala the Foote Wildcat at one point? I seem to recall a side window in an old photo...

Bob Kucera had a Bearcat N212KA with two rear facing internal seats back in the late '60s.

N212KA was complete with a side door as well as window ... Seen at Reno'68

Sledge

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[Zac Yates]

That's cool. Wow!

Oddly neither N212KA nor Bob Kucera are listed in Goodall's Warbird Directory.

I've just sent Geoff an email about that oversight. Good news is she's in Aerial Visuals' database.

[maxum96]

Rear facing seats ... ... wouldn't that make you puke like a sick bear ... ... or cat?

Some people get motion sickness easier than others. Riding backwards doesn't bother some people. I'm one of them.