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F-7F-3 Question

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  • Member since
    December 2005
F-7F-3 Question
Posted by PTConsultingNHR on Friday, November 6, 2015 5:43 PM
Hi All, 

Today, I sent a check off to a modeler named Doc Scarp for a Monogram 1:72 F-7F-3 TIGERCAT (the tall-tail variant). He says it has decals for the TIGERCAT from 1945 with a stylized 462 on the engine cowlings. That's "OK" by me; but I have a question. Doc says there might have been a squadron enroute to the Pacific just as the Japanese surrendered. Is that accurate? Would anyone here know what VF/VMF that might have been? 

And, just now, I was online looking for reference photos (for Stan to use) of TIGERCATS, and I came across something on Wikipedia (yeah, I know) about a post-war operation (1945-46) in China (in support of Chang Kai Chek) and they had a photo of F-7F-3s on a Chinese airfield. Would those have kill markings or nose-art? 

Thank you, 

Tim
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Friday, November 6, 2015 7:41 PM
The only thing I found was VMF(N) 531,533,534 were all in the far east right after the war. There was also a reconnaissance squadron in China in late '45

 

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: North Pole, Alaska
Posted by richs26 on Friday, November 6, 2015 9:49 PM

Send your question in an e-mail to the US Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida as they would know about all the squadrons that used the F7F.

WIP:  Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 73rd BS B-26, 40-1408, torpedo bomber attempt on Ryujo

Monogram 1/72 B-26 (Snaptite) as 22nd BG B-26, 7-Mile Drome, New Guinea

Minicraft 1/72 B-24D as LB-30, AL-613, "Tough Boy", 28th Composite Group

GAF
  • Member since
    June 2012
  • From: Anniston, AL
Posted by GAF on Saturday, November 7, 2015 6:59 AM

Tim,

This has a few tidbits of information about the service of the F7F in the recollections of some of the veterans.  Take a look in the comments.

http://www.aviastar.org/air/usa/grumman_tigercat.php?p=0#cmt

And this thread may answer some questions.

http://warships1discussionboards.yuku.com/topic/30128/USN-F7F-Tigercat-F8F-Bearcat-CV-deckloads-by-CORONET

Ah, I think this will help clear things up.

http://www.tailsthroughtime.com/2010/11/grummans-biggest-cat-in-world-war-ii.html

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Saturday, November 7, 2015 9:29 AM

In a similar situation, a squadron of Ryan Fireballs, the navy's first operational jet, was loaded on ships heading to the Pacific theatre when the war ended.  Likewise, there were squadrons of P-80s both in England and Italy at war's end but the squadrons themselves were not quite operational yet.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

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