GRUMMAN F7F TIGERCAT
TIGERCAT SERVICE
| Manufacturer: | The Grumman Aircraft Engr. Corp., Bethpage, Long Is., New York, USA |
| Models: | G-51, G-66, G-67, G80 |
| Designations: | F7F; TSF |
| Name: | Tigercat |
| First official flight: | (XF7F-1) 03/11/1943 |
| Factory production period: | 1943 - 1946 |
| Primary service period: | 1944 - 1954 |
| Last official flight: | (F7F-4N) 31/01/1954 |
TIGERCAT VARIANTS
| 1943 | Model G-51 | XF7F-1 | 2 | |
| 1944 | Model G-51 | F7F-1N | 34 | Total: 036 |
| 1944 | Model G-51 | XF7F-2 | 1 | |
| 1944 | Model G-51 | F7F-2N | 65 | Total: 066 |
| 1945 | Model G-51 | F7F-3 / -3N | 249 | Total: 249 |
| 1945 | Model G-51 | XF7F-4N | 1 | |
| 1946 | Model G-51 | F7F-4N | 12 | Total: 013 |
|
Grand Total: 364 |
TIGERCAT PRODUCTION
XF7F-1
Prototype twin engined, single-seater, carrier-based
fighter-bomber. 4 nose guns, 4 wing cannons.
Produced 1943
Grumman Bethpage, New York (F)
| BuNo.03549, 03550 | C-01, C-02 |
Total: 002 |
F7F-1N
As XF7F-1, night-fighter version, engine
upgrade, nose radar. Also
designated
as F7F-1.
Produced 1943 - 1944
Grumman Bethpage, New York (F)
| BuNo.80259, 80260 | ? | |
| BuNo.80262 / 80293 | ? |
Total: 034 |
XF7F-2
As F7F-1N, prototype two-seater night-fighter.
Produced 1944
Grumman Bethpage, New York (F)
| BuNo.80261 | ? |
Total: 001 |
F7F-2N
As XF7F-2, minor changes, single-seater
conversions (post construction)
as F7F-2.
Produced 1944 - 1945
Grumman Bethpage, New York (F)
| BuNo.80294 / 80358 | ? |
Total: 065 |
F7F-3 /
-3N
As F7F-2N, enlarged tail, engine upgrade.
189 as F7F-3 single-seater fighters.
60 as F7F-3N 2-seater night-fighters,
nose radar.
Produced 1945 - 1946
Grumman Bethpage, New York (F)
| BuNo.80359 / 80547 | ? | |
| BuNo.80549 / 80608 | ? |
Total: 249 |
| 1388 additional airframes cancelled. | ||
XF7F-4N
As F7F-3N, nose radar upgrade.
Produced 1945
Grumman Bethpage, New York (F)
| BuNo.80548 | ? |
Total: 001 |
F7F-4N
As XF7F-4N, minor changes.
Produced 1946
Grumman Bethpage, New York (F)
| BuNo.80609 / 80620 | ? | Total: 012 |
F7F-5 -
Proposed engine upgrade, cancelled.
Model G-66 (XTSF-1), G-67, G-80
- Proposed upgrades, all cancelled.
|
Grand Total: 364 |
TIGERCAT CONVERSIONS
US Navy
| F7F-2D | 1+ | F7F-2N, 1946, drone director conversions. |
| F7F-2P | 1+ | F7F-2N, photo reconnaissance conversions. |
| F7F-3E | 3 | F7F-3, 1946, special electronic equipment, conversions cancelled. |
| F7F-3K | 1+ | F7F-3, 1946, radio controlled drones. |
| F7F-3P | 61 | F7F-3, 1945, photo reconnaissance conversions. |
CIVILIAN SERVICE
- Several Tigercats sold on the civil market as
fire-bombers and Warbirds.