The F8F is a real climber
and can go from a full brake stop to 10,000 feet in 96 seconds! It was
designed during WWII for fleet defense to get off the deck of the
carrier, get into the sky quickly and counter the threat from Kamikaze
aircraft. Because of this more specialized role, the Bearcat's range
was limited. It was en route to the Pacific theater when the war ended
and did not see operational service in WWII. They were used post-war by
the US Navy until as late as 1952. There were 24 Navy Squadrons that
flew the Bearcat. The French also purchased the Bearcats and used them
in Indochina.
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