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The F-8F Bearcat was arguably the finest fighter ever built. It was prop-driven. It was too late for WWII and became quickly outdated as the jets came in. Those who have flown both the Bearcat and the Mustang have been hard pressed to define the better bird to me, but most lean toward the Bearcat.

Bearcat Specifications:

Max Speed = 455 mph	Cruising Speed: 425 mph
Range: 1650 miles	Service Ceiling: 42,300 ft.
Span: 35 ft. 6 in.	Length: 27 ft. 6 in.
Height: 13 ft. 10 in.	Weight: 9, 300 lbs. Max

Engine: Latest R-2800-E engine with a max rating of 2,500 hp.

It was quite a bit faster than the P-51.

Walter

On Apr 2, 2007, at 2:05 PM, marv@lancair.net wrote:

Posted for "George Braly" <gwbraly@gami.com>:

Scotty,

I think most would find the F-8 to have been a better fighter aircraft
than the P-51.

"""
Industry moved on to jets. The Mustang (among a few others) still
represents the epitome of piston-engine airplane design. Plus... chicks
dig them.
Scotty G
Warbird Digest Magazine
September Pops Air Racing
"""

[C'mon, George, that's not fair. The F-8 didn't even hit the drawing boards until '52 and it didn't enter service unitl '57... besides, it's not prop-driven. Apples & oranges........ <Marv> ]

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