F7F Tigercat Clay Lacy

The Grumman F7F Tigercat was the U.S. Navy's first twin-engine fighter airframe. Originally, the Tigercat was designed for carrier operations but later became a land based attack or night fighter in the Korean war. Early in production, a second seat was added for the radar operator in the F7F-2N version. The two Pratt&Whitney R-2800-34's developed 2,100 hp each and enabled incredible performance figures of 460 mph(400 knots), a maximum ceiling of 40,400 feet, and a range of 1,200 miles. The F7F could unleash a wall of lead at the enemy with it's four 50 cal. machine guns and four 20 mm M2 cannons. If that wasn't enough, the Tigercat could also carry two 1,000 lb. bombs on wing stations and one torpedo under the fuselage.
This video was shot at the 2008 Pine Mountain Lake Airshow with Clay Lacy at the controls.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• aviation
• airshow
• planes
• F7F
• Tigercat
• speed
• warbird

[justaworkinstiff]

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

[TheVidPro]

@justaworkinstiff

Correct!

[klesmer]

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

[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.

[mondo78]

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

[mondo78]

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

[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.

[ModelDX1]

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

Grumman builds great planes.

[ckelley63]

@ModelDX1 Kinda reminds me of the Martin Maurader.

[RoninTXBR549]

Excellent video! The Tigercat is a work of art.

[thekiwicanuck]

Beautiful plane!

[TheParsonsRS]

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

[klesmer]

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