Chino Airshow 2012
F7F Tigercat

The F7F Tigercat first flown in December of 1943. Before the first prototype was even built, the Marine Corps placed an order for 500 Tigercats to be used for close support for operations underway in the Pacific. Deliveries began in April of 1944 but the F7F never saw operational service during WWII. They were used post-war as night fighters, electronic reconnaissance and photo reconnaissance. With the advent of jets, the Tigercats were soon phased out for the jet aircraft performing those roles. A total of 364 Tigercats were built. Today, about a half a dozen or so remain in airworthy condition. This one is an F7F-3P.