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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
Grumman F7F Tigercat aircraft were the first multi-engine fighters of the United States Navy. Although deployed to some Marine Corps squadrons before the end of World War II, it did not see any action in the war.
The concept of the Grumman F7F Tigercat originated in 1941. It was to be a speedy, heavily armed, carrier based fighter that could also be used in a ground support role.
When the Grumman F7F Tigercat flew for the first time on Nov. 2, 1943, it was too large for many U.S. Navy carriers of the time. Initially only the Marines used it. The aircraft needed some redesign before it would be able to operate from the newest, larger U.S. Navy carriers.
It was determined that the vertical stabilizer of the Grumman F7F Tigercat needed to be enlarged by about 30% so that it would meet U.S. Navy single engine handling requirements. The modification took about 30 months to accomplish. Eventually only twelve Grumman F7F Tigercat aircraft were produced that met U.S. Navy aircraft carrier requirements. These were never deployed aboard aircraft carriers.
The Grumman F7F Tigercat was a fast climbing, quick accelerating aircraft with excellent forward visibility. It had the best range of any Navy aircraft of its time. However, it was not without its faults. First and foremost was its tendency to flat spin to the point where it would not recover. In response, the Navy issued a directive prohibiting spinning the aircraft. Also, due to its heavy wing loading, the Grumman F7F Tigercat needed a relatively high speed to maintain control of the aircraft with an engine out.
During the Korean War the Grumman F7F Tigercatwas used as a night fighter, escorting B-29 Superfortresses. When jet interceptors were employed by the North Koreans, it was retired from escort service in favor of faster jet aircraft. The last Grumman F7F Tigercat flew for the U.S. military in 1954.
A total of 364 Grumman F7F Tigercat aircraft were built in all. They served as reconnaissance aircraft, fighters, ground attack aircraft, bomber escorts, and night fighters.
After being retired from military service, a number of Grumman F7F Tigercat aircraft went on to serve as air tankers. And at least two aircraft were converted to air racers. Today six Grumman F7F Tigercat aircraft are still flying.
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Specifications
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Primary Function:
Crew:
Engines:
Power:
Weight Empty:
Max. Weight:
Wingspan:
Length:
Machine Guns:
Cannons:
Ordnance:
Cruise Speed:
Max. Speed:
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Year Deployed: |
fighter/bomber
two
P&W R-2800-34W
2 x 2,200 hp. ea.
16,270 lbs
25,720 lbs.
45' 4"
51' 6"
4 x .50 cal.
4 x 20 mm
2,000 lbs.
225 mph
460 mph
4,500 fpm
40,500 feet
1,200 miles
1944
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Radio Control Airplane
Arnold Marcus and his F7F Tigercat rc.
Radio Control Airplanes:
Pictured above is Arnold Marcus and his RC F7F Tigercat from an Aircraft International kit. The rc airplane is made of Kevlar and has a wing span is 120." Aircraft International recommends powering their rc airplane with either 3W-38/42i or 3W-48B2 engines.
K & A Models has a 48" wing span Grumman F7F Tigercat rc airplane kit. Their RC Airplane features a fiberglass fuselage and foam core wings. Suggested power for the K & A Tigercat radio control airplane can be two speed 400 or equivalent brushless motors.
Ducted fans.com will be happy to sell you their rc F7F Tigercat kit. W/S of their RC Airplane is 52". The radio control airplane has a fiberglass fuselage and built-up sheeted wings. Power for the rc airplane comes from two Axi G28-14-12 motors.
Scale Wings has a RC F7F Tigercat radio control airplane kit with a 112" wing span, shown in the first picture below. Their RC Airplane is of all composite construction. Recommended engines for the radio control airplane are 35 cc - 60 cc. All up weight of the RC Airplane is 48 - 55 lbs.
Aero-naut Modellbau has a RC F7F Tigercat. The radio control airplane has a wing span of 52 1/2" and a length of 42". Construction of the rc airplane is a GRP fuselage and balsa wings. You will need 3:1 geared speed 400 to 480 size motors to power the radio control airplane.
The next two pictures are of the Kondor Model Products rc F7F Tigercat ARF radio control airplane. The RC Airplane features a fiberglass fuselage and built up wings. Wing span is 83" for the RC Airplane. To power this radio control airplane you will need a pair of .70 to .91 four cycle engines.
If you have a favorite rc F7F Tigercat radio control airplane, or if you can recommend any F7F Tigercat rc airplane kits, arf's or plans, please email us.
Radio Control Airplane
RC F7F Tigercat from Scale Wings.
Radio Control Airplane
 KMP F7F Tigercat rc airplane.
Radio Control Airplane
 RC F7F Tigercat from KMP.
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