Warbird Information Exchange

as long as people keep looking I'll keep posting... thanks Scott for making this a sticky

Keep them coming ArmyJunk!

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

In the fourth photo down of the "people" postings. (3 men & 4 women, sitting outside) I am 95% certain the gent on the left is Art Romeo. Art was with Grumman from day ONE until they closed Bethpage. In the last decades, he was the Head of the Grumman Restoration Team *(volunteer retirees that Grumman allowed to restore Grumman planes for museums all around the world, at Bethpage) He used to visit our aviation shop on the first day or two of every month for about 15 years. And he always brought us a gift of a vintage instrument, engine part , manual. Some of his more AMAZING gifts were a garbage bag that contained a complete 1969 Apollo Extra-Vehicular space suit serial #008, and other times he would bring a bag of "left over"/replaced Lunar Module parts, from the ones they restored for Smithsonian and others. Other parts might go back to the Beginning, like Curtiss OX-5 engine parts. Art Also operated as an aircraft designer and mechanic just Prior to Grumman, on Long Island circa 1927/28. He never said an unkind word about ANYone. and was one of aviation's great leaders and representatives. And no one ever mentioned him, without generous praise and respect. All the Executives valued him greatly. and he went along on public PR event in the corporte jets to Smithsonian and other openings. His basement was AMAZING, filled with all kinds of historical aviation treasures, which he made SURE, went to good museums, so others would be able to appreciate them, and all the restorations they did. Gone-but NOT forgotten.
And before I FORGET!-Thanks a MILLION for posting all these incredible, wonderful photos! AMAZING! we all appreciate them more than words can say!!

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hundreds of images of aero art, memorabilia, photos and artifacts at;
www.memaerobilia.com

F7F TIGERCATS

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I just got the Ginter book on the F7F and you've shown some pictures HE didn't have.

OUTSTANDING !!!

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Avoid that sinking feeling -- Check the hull plugs on your pre-flight.

Always kinda wondered why the Tigercat didn't have any speed records.... you'd think that with 4000+hp and little frontal area that it would be a honker...

Also, did F7F's have any range? Doesn't look like much room for gas.

Just a really cool airplane.

Keep 'em coming, ArmyJunk!!!
- Hawkeye 52

Beautiful Bird, Looks fast sitting on the ramp, back in the 60/70's I would go to the local airport and watch them operate out of the Porterville Air Attack Base fighting forest fires with that big slurry tank mounted on the belly, and they still looked FAST.

According to my F7F flight manual,the internal fuel system for the F7F-3 consisted of three tanks.The Main tank was the largest,at 210 gl and was located just behind where the rear seat compartment was located on the nightfighter version.Directly under the second seat was the Reserve tank.In the single seat versions,this was a 150 gl tank.The F7F-3N nightfighter version had a 105 gl tank to make room for the radar operator.The Auxilary tank was a 60 gl tank located over the nosewheel well.Dave Kelly,who flew TBM's F7F-3 Tanker 64 always clipped a clothes pin to the flap handle (located near the canopy rail) when he ran both engines off of the nose (aux) tank to remind him that he had better not get distracted.60 gallons doesn't last long running two R-2800's,even at low cruise power.The military airplanes were also capable of carrying a 150 gl drop tank under each wing between the fuselage and engine and a 300 gl tank under the fuselage.The book doesn't have a simple range chart,but I can probably figure out something with a little time.

US Naval Aircraft Since 1911 gives the range as 1200 ST Miles, max speed 435mph at 22,200ft, crusing speed, 222mph, initial climb, 4,530ft/min. This is for the F7F-3 Tigercat

armyjunk2,

Wonderful collection of historical pictures, thank you for letting us see them. Can you explain who owns the copyright of the collection and is it possible to obtain copies of one or two.
Tony K

Those are some great pics. I love the Tigercat.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

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What kind of air to air record did they have in Korea?

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

I am loving this! Thanks yet again for posting these and being an admitted and non-recovering aircraft drawing junkie, the exploded view is great to see.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Mark