Grumman F8F Bearcat - Variants

Variants

G-58A/B

Two civil aircraft. The first was owned by the Gulf Oil Company for the use of Major Alford Williams, the second one was used by Grumman as a demonstrator aircraft.

XF8F-1

Prototype aircraft, two built.

F8F-1 Bearcat

Single-seat fighter aircraft, equipped with folding wings, a retractable tailwheel, self-sealing fuel tanks, a very small dorsal fin, powered by a 2,100 hp (1,566 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W Double Wasp radial piston engine, armed with four 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns, 658 built.

F8F-1B Bearcat

Single-seat fighter version, armed with four 20 mm cannons, 100 built.

F8F-1B Bearcat

Originally designated F8F-1C, redesignated as F8F-1B, 126 built.

F8F-1D

F8F-1s converted into drone control aircraft.

F8F-1(D)B Bearcat

Unofficial designation for export version for France and Thailand.

F8F-1E Bearcat

F8F-1 conversion night-fighter prototype, APS-4 radar.

XF8F-1N

F8F-1 conversion into night fighter prototypes.

F8F-1N Bearcat

Night fighter version, equipped with an APS-19 radar, 12 built.

F8F-1P Bearcat

F8F-1 conversion photo reconnaissance conversion.

F3M-1 Bearcat

Planned designation for F8F aircraft constructed by General Motors.

F4W-1 Bearcat

Planned designation for F8F aircraft constructed by Canadian Car and Foundry.

XF8F-2

F8F-1 conversion with engine upgrade, revised engine cowling, taller tail.

F8F-2 Bearcat

Improved version, equipped with a redesigned engine cowling, taller fin and rudder, armed with four 20 mm (.79 in) cannons, powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-30W radial piston engine, 293 built.

F8F-2D

F8F-2s converted into drone control aircraft.

F8F-2N Bearcat

Night-fighter version, equipped with an APS-19 radar, 12 built.

F8F-2P Bearcat

Photo-reconnaissance version, fitted with camera equipment, armed with two 20 mm (.79 in) cannons, 60 built.