Grumman F8F Bearcat
The Grumman F8F Bearcat was the last piston-engine fighter produced for the U.S. Navy—designed for blistering climb rates, carrier agility, and raw performance. First flown in 1944, the Bearcat was built around the powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine, wrapped in the smallest, lightest airframe Grumman could engineer. It reached 421 mph and climbed faster than its predecessor, the Hellcat, making it a favorite among naval aviators and air racers alike.
Though it arrived too late for combat in World War II, the Bearcat served with over 20 U.S. Navy squadrons and saw postwar action with the French Air Force in Indochina and the Royal Thai Air Force. Variants included the cannon-armed F8F-1B, night fighter F8F-1N, and photo-recon F8F-2P. Today, fewer than a dozen remain airworthy, often seen in heritage flights and racing circuits.
This category features high-resolution prints of Bearcat aircraft in flight, on takeoff, and in museum preservation—captured by aviation photographer Stuart H. Bourne. Included are restored examples like G-RUMM and N111L, each cataloged with verified serials, variant history, and archival context.
Whether you're drawn to the Bearcat’s postwar service, its unmatched climb rate, or its enduring legacy in warbird collections, these prints offer a visually rich tribute to one of the finest piston-powered fighters ever built.
