FS 2004 Grumman F7F Tigercat

In 1938 the U.S. Navy contracted for the development of a prototype twin-engined carrier-based fighter, designated the XF5-1. While the prototype did not enter production, its evolution and testing gave Grumman valuable experience in this type. In early 1941 Grumman began work on a new twin-engined Navy fighter, designed to have high performance and unprecedented firepower. A contract was awarded in June 1941, with the first flight taking place in December 1943. The new aircraft, known as the F7F Tigercat, featured foldable wings and tricycle landing gear, with four 20mm cannons and four .050 inch machine guns providing an offensive punch. In addition, it could carry either a pair of 1000 pound bombs or a single torpedo. Grumman received a contract for 500 Tigercats, which were to be supplied to the U.S. Marines to provide close-air support for their operations. Unfortunately the production Tigercats materialized too late to see operational service with the USMC before the end of the war. 288 F7Fs (including 64 night fighter versions) were built before the cancellation of remaining orders. Some Marine squadrons continued to use the Tigercat in the postwar years, but they were eventually replaced by jet-powered successors.