F7F Tigercat Clay Lacy

[mondo78]

I read where the original name was supposed to be Tomcat. But the name was considered to suggestive back in the 40's.

[XBoeingCapt]

whew!!! what an amazing airplane!! nicely done..........now I can't wait to fly my 1/5 scale model of the F7F about as close to it as I can get

[blancolirio]

Just a few miles north in Grass Valley CA. (Columbia too) Cal Nat, and later, Siskiyou Flying Service operated the f7fs for the USFS and CDF. Lost quite a few. Spent hours at the airport hangin' out w/ these guys and the f7's.

[RoninTXBR549]

Excellent video! The Tigercat is a work of art.

[thekiwicanuck]

Beautiful plane!

[mmichaeldonavon]

Worked with those R-2800's on the old USAF C-118A "Liftmaster" (a DC-6). Great engine - great performer - reliable.

[COROVICD]

WOW! What a beautiful plane. How well preserved it is. Joy to watch. Thanks for the video.

[justaworkinstiff]

looks like it was filmed at Pine Mountain Airport, Groveland , CA. Lacy has a place right there at the airport

[TheVidPro]

@justaworkinstiff

Correct!

[saamohod]

the gear looks fragile

[ModelDX1]

@saamohod I agree the gear does look weak but that could be decieving.

Grumman builds great planes.

[mondo78]

@ModelDX1 That was one of the issues on early Tigercats. But was taken care in later models.

[askii3]

Wow that was some serious acceleration during the initial takeoff roll!

[ModelDX1]

Speaking Grumman designs few aircraft Mfg's. can match the legacy of

the TBF Avenger torpedo bomber. It is said that it is the only war plane

to have been put into mass production before a prototype was built and tested.

Navy Engineer's and Brass after seeing Grumman's drawings and spec's.

Ordered immediate production of the TBF Avenger.

I was a crew chief on a TBM-3E Avenger, the same plane but built by General Motors.

[ckelley63]

@ModelDX1 Kinda reminds me of the Martin Maurader.

[ILSRWY4]

Kick Ass!!!!!!!

[manthony1956]

This plane looks great in flight! I got the impression the Navy was never fond of these aircraft, and like the F4U Corsair, sent most of them to the Marine Corp. TOO BAD.

[heettreet]

i always wondered what it would be like if fighters were designed with twins ,,,, they have the prop area and size to be so versatile ,and no prop torque and twin security in battle and no prop abstucting the forward view ,and no gun carriage centering problems at the nose ,,and on and on ,,,, as you can tell ,, i'm a twin prop fan f7f is a dream

[cobrachoppergirl]

I'd rather have a P-38, for those awesome Turbos. And, well, the guns.

[mytemight]

johnny0 agreed, correct comment! narrator might think about public speaking courses lol

[johnny01031955]

Splendid video, too bad the only narrator they could find was a complete moron.

[Heathh49008]

I'm not 100% certain, but I believe this is the F7F that used to belong to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo, in Michigan. Is it?

I have fond memories as a young airport bum and general "Hey kid" working with thas aircraft. Running firebottle and pulling props on R2800s were some of the best memories of my youth. If it is her, just don't forget to attach her "Ass pad" when you tow her... her CG is so far back she likes to sit back on her tail.

Thanks for the vid. Good memories.

[hammerogod]

I didn't know any Tigercats were still flying.

What a wonderful surprise this video is.

Grumman had a lot of "Wins".

The list of amazing Grumman aircraft is a long one.

[ziegle9876]

I WANT ONE!!!!

[puffin51]

What was the fastest piston-engine plane (airspeed in straight and level, any height) ever built? This? Maybe the Sea Fury, or the Ta-152, the development of the FW-190? Or the Bearcat? Anybody know?

[hammerogod]

@puffin51

Grumman F8F Bearcat at 528.88

Set on 21 August 1989.

Single engine, Piston.

If you want to know about twin pistion engine propellor driven planes than I think the the P-38 was the fastest...since it was capable of exceeding the speed of sound in a dive (not straight and level however)...and killing pilots in the process until some rethinking was done on both airframe and operation.

This is not Gospel so if you have different info share it.

[sorrowman2]

I must say, the Tigercat is one awesome blend of brutal power and smooth and slick design. Quite a break away from the fairly lumpen designs (tho these have their charm too) preceding this baby such as the Hellcat and the Wildcat. Possibly one of the most beautiful designs Grumman ever did.

[sketchmeister]

@sorrowman2 The result of progression borne of necessity, research and investment. The F7F is truly one of the finest prop-driven aircraft to grace the skies. With swept wings and a couple of jets, she would have more than equalled the Me-262. Alongside the Bearcat and the Sea Fury, one of the ultimate prop fighters. Though not beautiful like the Spit' or 'Stang. And you've gotta hand it to the Butcher Bird and Jug. Respect.

[ZDanimal]

Absolutely awesome........get the tc's workin all the way!!

They've gotta let you run the proper octane and TEL content for this kinda stuff.....I mean really.......1 friggin plane man???!!!!!!!???

[kblackav8or]

I have wondered how the F7F might have performed with a pair of turboprops installed? Might make for a pretty decent COIN aircraft even by todays standards.

[Treetop64]

"Tuning money into noise."

LOL! No kidding!

If anyone is financially well-endowed, you can still have an R-2800 built today!

[smokingws6]

@Treetop64 Funny thing is Its wont cost a lot more than your factory 0 time IO-550

[Robys1st]

YESSSSSSSSSS

[sketchmeister]

The Flying Dagger (with a couple of angry radials hanging off it!) Beeeaautiful!

[klesmer]

The F7F has to be the most beautiful airplane to come out of the Grumman Iron Works.

[zimmermann10]

yes, you are right!

[klesmer]

Thanks Dude, a head on shot proves our point.

[TralfazConstruction]

Sky King would've been proud to fly her.

[klesmer]

If Sky King was anything like me he would be willing to kill for a chance to fly an F-7F.

[TheParsonsRS]

@klesmer Tomcat.

[klesmer]

@TheParsonsRS You got me there Bro. Let me restate the Tigercat is the most beautiful piston airplane to come out of the ironworks.

[TheParsonsRS]

@klesmer Haha, Agreed. I live 3-5 miles away from iron works.

[1flyride]

Flying out of E45! Awesome!

[iflyuby]

Clay Lacy is the best pilot that i know i work for Mr. Clay Lacy in KVNY i loved working for his FBO i flew whit him a few times on a LR-24,LR-25,LR-35, DC-3, G-II SP i would have love ti fly in the P-51 thank you Clay for all the good times....

[JackFlemingFan]

Beautiful airplane!!