Bearcat update by Bub released!

[bub]

Hi All,
With Bearcat posting that wonderful video about the Blue Angels, I dug this one out of the "Archives". Its a Alpha F8F-1 Bearcat that I fooled with a long time ago. If there is any interest, I'll touch it up and upload it. The aircraft flies very well and is a lot of fun to do some "what if's".
Thanks,
Bub

 

[BoeingvsAirbusNKL]

I tried fooling with it myself with little success. Count me in.

 

[Typhoon Willy]

Hi Bub,

I still enjoy flying this plane and would be interested in a new skin!

Kind regards,

TW

 

[Wayland]

Bearcat

Oh, yeah, the last of the piston fightin' Cats, deal me in!

Steve

 

[bearcat241]

Hey Bub, on my way to work right now, but i'll check in later with a post of my own skin for this one.

CheerZ!

 

[kelticheart]

I have an history question, please:

was the F8F ever tested in combat, apart from the French ones in Indochina? When the Korean conflict broke out, all of the Navy units sent to Korea were equipped with the F9F Panthers or some F8F was involved?

I always read that the F8F would have stood against any piston-engined, late-WWII fighter with no problems. How did the F8F actually performed in a dogfight?

Thank you.
KH

 

[Typhoon Willy]

I have a question regarding the AlphaSim Bearcat model: I understand there were basically two variants, a "short tail" and a "tall tail", does this model represent the short tail variant? Just curious.

Kind regards,

TW

 

[bearcat241]

... How did the F8F actually performed in a dogfight?

Guess we'll never know buddy. By the time Korea went hot any former Bearcat jocks were strapping on Panthers, Banshees, Corsairs and Skyraiders. In Indochina it was just another mudmover with no aerial opposition.

 

[bearcat241]

I have a question regarding the AlphaSim Bearcat model: I understand there were basically two variants, a "short tail" and a "tall tail", does this model represent the short tail variant?

This model's tail doesn't represent that of the actual F8F-1, which is shorter. The XF8F-2 and all variants beyond were all tall-tail. I'm grateful that Alphasim gave us what they did, but it is actually an F8F-2.

 

[Typhoon Willy]

Thanks for putting me straight on the tail issue, Bearcat241.

TW

 

[bearcat241]

I'll take you up on that offer whenever its ready Bub. Here's something from my CFS2 Flight Deck days, courtesy of my old friend Jon Goldberg.

 

[bearcat241]

...I always read that the F8F would have stood against any piston-engined, late-WWII fighter with no problems. How did the F8F actually performed in a dogfight?

Hello again Stef,

Regarding your comment and question, i found this additional little snippet while Googling my favorite mount. Its a quote from Eric Brown (now 96 years old), the renowned British test pilot who has the distinction of having flown 487 different types of aircraft, as he commented on the Bearcat:

"It had another hallmark of a good day fighter in that it had poor stability rather in the manner of the Spitfire. This combination made for superb maneuverability which, coupled with the fact that the aircraft was overpowered, resulted in an outstanding aerobatic performer. I do not think I have blacked myself out so consistently in an aircraft and it was just as well for peace of mind that the Bearcat was so highly stressed.”
-Eric “Winkle” Brown



Quite a statement for the "what if" factor, you think?

 

[bub]

Hi all,
Sorry for the delay on this. I've been very busy these last couple of days and working overnights doesn't help. I'll get it packaged up and have it uploaded in the next day or so.
That's a nice looking paint job, Bearcat. I may do one more in the future to fill in the gap, just haven't decided which one to do yet.
Thanks for your patience,
Bob

 

[bub]

Hi All,
Ok, here it is. I still have a couple of things to do. I'll upload it as a complete aircraft. That way you'll have all the files. It will also be set up for catapult launch and those files will be included. Most everthing has been recolored and I've added a couple of details. The only problems, I can't shine the model and the wings don't fold.
Bub

 

[bub]

Hi All,
Ok, one more. this is the 3F4 from VF-31 1945-46. I'll upload it separately from the Aircraft.
Thanks,
Bob

 

[bearcat241]

Looking good Bub. If you want to get rid of that modeled centerline tank and add shine in Mdlc, dump the CFS2 model and go with a conversion of the FS2002 model, aka Bearcat v2.mdl. You can find it at the Alphasim freeware site:ALPHA_F8F-1_Bearcat_FS02.zip

The downside is the loss of the working VC until i can find the slot for it in scasm.

 

[bub]

Bearcat,
Thanks for the tip. I had forgotten all about that. The conversion worked fine, fixed the animations and put some shine on it. Now all I have to do is repackage it and get it uploaded. Thanks again for your help.
Bob

 

[bub]

Hi all,
Again, sorry for the delay on the Bearcat. Real life has reared its ugly head and has kept me extremely busy. Now that things have calmed down, I can finish this. Here's where I'm at. A few more details and it should be done. Thanks for your patience.
Bob

 

[bearcat241]

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[bub]

Hi All,
All done, finally. I just have to do a ReadMe and I'll get it uploaded.
Thanks,
Bob