F8F Bearcat

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I read and i cannot remember where, that F8F-2P Bearcat was used in Korean war. Is it true? Are there any photos? Thanks.

2

Welcome to the forum George

[#welcome]

Doing a quick search brought up this link, which is the closest I could find:

http://www.usscoralsea.org/LAirg-1.htm

Scroll down to Block #5. It was in the squadron, and was apparently a photographic A/C.

Do a Google search for F8F-2P and click on “images” and you may find more.

stinger

3

Welcome to the FSM Forum [#welcome]. According to the limited references I have, only the F8F-2P photo-reconnaissance Bearcats saw action in Korea, and that was limited. All Bearcats had been retired to reserve duty by late 1952. The Squadron Signal book “F8F Bearcat in action” has some photos from that era.

Regards, Rick

4

I always thought the Bearcat never made it to combat, in any form, in Korea. I’ll have to look that one up now.
Gary

5

The F8F Bearcat saw action with the French in Indochina (Vietnam)…

6

I was aware of the Bearcats combat in Indochina but not as stated, in Korea, by the USN. Unfortunately, I still haven’t checked any of my references yet and the link up top shows a Med cruise.

7

Yeah, you’re right. I had my geography screwed up. I saw in that link a time reference to the Korean war continuing, and just went with it. Thanks for clearing that up.

8

The Squadron Signal book I referenced has 2 pics of F8F-2P Bearcats purportedly operating in the Korean theater in 1951. The Cats had been pretty much replaced by the F9F-2 Panthers at that time, but according to the author they were still flying some photo-recon missions.

Regards, Rick

9

I am not sure about Bearcats in Korea, but they definately served in Viet Nam. The French flew them quite a bit before their debacle at Dien Bien Phu and the VNAF, South Viet Namese Air Force, flew them in the real early sixties. I can remember a Bearcat sitting in front of the VNAF Officer’s Club just inside Gate 1 at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. It had VNAF markings of course. The first time I saw it, I thought it was some weird form of F6F Hellcat. [alien]

10

Thank you very much. I found another information, that F8F-2P with other recon planes was used during Korean war by VC-61. VC-61 served on aboard all carriers in Korean war.

11

I did a google search and on one of the 10 pages of sites they actually specified that the photo squadron bearcats actually accounted for some aerial victories over enemy jets! I couldn’t find any other info to back this up. Sorry, I didn’t think to copy the link.

Steve

12

Hi George,
I rechecked all my sources and can not find any reference to Bearcats of any type making any Korean War combat cruises, though they did make non-combat deployments (ie Med cruises) during this time, but I am digging out my “in action” as soon as I get home. Go here for details:
http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-1910/APP25.PDF
Hi Crockett,
While that shoot down story is quite intriguing, and something I’ve never heard of before, there is nothing listed on the official list of Navy-USMC pilot shootdowns since 1950. See:
http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-1910/APP33.PDF
Can’t wait to here more.
Gary

13

Gary, I take it you’re building/ about to build a Photo Bearcat? I’m almost done with my Bearcat for my squadron’s display case:)
Oops, sorry! I meant George! But thanks for the links, Gary![:D]

14

By the time I left there for the last time in 72, the canopy had been broken out completely and the rubber on the main gear tires was gone; rims only. Got a photo somewhere in my old albums. I’ll post it if I can find the sucker.

15

I’d love to see a picture of that Bearcat, and any you might have of the VNAF club! Took a flight in that plane one night after a few hours in the club in 69. :wink:

Thanks for sharing

16

VFP-62 was equipped with Photo-Bearcats and from September 1950 to February 1951, a detachment operated during the Korean War from the USS Leyte as part of CVG-3.

!(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/HansvonHammer/Aircraft Profiles/F8F-2P_VC-62USSMidway49-50.jpg)

17

…though the ship in this photo is the Midway, to offer a clarification.

18

I’ve got to know, if the French were operating Bearcats in Indochine, did they have an arial adversary? I don’t suppose there is any documentation on dogfights, straffings etc?

Always loved the Bearcat and spend time with it everytime I see it at the Air Museum.