Grumman F8F 'Bearcat' Startup and Taxi

Part of the monthly Hangar Talk series ‪@planesoffame‬ in Chino, CA

"The Museum’s F8F Bearcat is a unique aircraft. It is comprised of parts from several aircraft. In 1947, Grumman, with Navy approval, built two civilian models of the F8F. The Grumman G-58A was built for Major Alford Williams to be used for his precision flying and dive-bombing demonstrations for the public. Sponsored by the Gulf Oil Company, the aircraft was named “Gulfhawk II” and painted in the company colors of orange and black. The aircraft was severely damaged in a 1949 landing incident. Planes of Fame Air Museum acquired the fuselage from this aircraft, and by combining parts from a number of other F8F Bearcats, was able to create this prime example of an F8F-2."