Tigercat Bu 80532 listed with Platinum Fighters...

[Warbirdnerd]

http://www.platinumfighters.com/#!tigercat/c1q81

[Lon Moer]

I used to crew on that T-cat when it was still in firebomber colors. It was owned by Mike Bogue at the time, but flown by Bob Love.

[Triplane102]

Thanks For posting that, Bryan, & thanks for the info Lon Moer, I'll NEVER forget seeing her in Harlingen at the CAF airshow, first time seeing a Tigercat in person & in Blue & Green colors ( sorry, I just could never like that shade of green ) it sure looks better in all blue. Hope she finds a good home soon! Texas Flying Legends or Collings would of course be great homes !

[SaxMan]

F7F is just one sexy airplane. I remember seeing this one in Frederick, Maryland in the mid-90s. Anyone know whose F7F this is?

F7F by onyxsax, on Flickr

What's not to like about a single seat plane with a pair of R-2800s (or two place in the night fighter version)? The late Linc Alexander said the F7F was the best tanker conversion of a warbird in his book "Fire Bomber Into H-e-double hockey sticks", and I found the chapter on the F7F the most enjoyable to read.

[Triplane102]

That would be Bu. 80390, the ex- Kalamazoo one , now own by Rod Lewis.
P.S, Now with the Marine insignia & pretty Girl in Cat striped outfit & cat ears with "Here Kitty Kitty" as nose art.

[Stoney]

Lon
I was there at Hangar 5 and kept my SNJ there, I always thought it funny that Gary Flanders had to have Mike start it before Gary flew it, Gary never did learn how to get those R-2800s going. Bob never had that problem.

[warbird51]

I used to crew on that T-cat when it was still in firebomber colors. It was owned by Mike Bogue at the time, but flown by Bob Love.

I worked on her also. I helped on the re-paint, from fire bomber colors to the VMP-254 colors in 1983 and I got a ride in her to the Livermore airshow that year. I worked on the T-cat a lot in the late 80's and 90's until Mike's passing in 1999. Mike had another Tigercat project also, but sold it to Bob Waltrip around 1986 or so. It was restored by Darryl Skurich and later became "Big Boss Man" now owned by Rod Lewis. I got a ride in "Big Boss Man" at the Chino Airshow about 6 years ago. So I have flown in both Tigercat's that Mike Bogue had owned. What a ride!!!

Wayne Cook

[Stoney]

Wayne
Glad you got a ride it her, all I got to do was sit in her in Hangar 5.

[flightsimer]

Does 1.3mil not seem rather reasonable? I mean granted it's not flying, but was surprised to see it that low. What does a flying f7F fetch?

[warbird51]

Does 1.3mil not seem rather reasonable? I mean granted it's not flying, but was surprised to see it that low. What does a flying f7F fetch?

I've talked to several people who inspected the aircraft when it was up for action and said there are "issue's" and that the "restoration" was less than stellar.

[warbird51]

Wayne
Glad you got a ride it her, all I got to do was sit in her in Hangar 5.

Hi Stoney,

I remember when we did the Filming for the TV program. "Evening Magazine" in 83. You flew the camera man in the back of your T-6. There was John Crocker in an FM2 Wildcat, Bob Love in his P-51, John Paul in his P-40E, Bob Reiser in his P-63 and I rode in the back of Gary Flanders T-28A. The Tigercat was supposed to be in the flight, but the right engine fuel pump was inop. After the filming, we flew the aircraft down to Moffet Field for their airshow. Mike replaced the fuel pump and the Tigercat met us at Moffet.

[Stoney]

Wayne
Oh how I wish I had a pix of that

[warbird51]

Wayne
Oh how I wish I had a pix of that

We may be able to fix you up. I did take pics. I'll look through the boxes to find them. Of course, this was before digital pics!

Wayne

[wendovertom]

Oh - this is Merle's Tigercat! I had the chance to see it a few times before he passed. Merle was kind enough to help with a few pieces parts for the F-86D on display in Wendover.

Tom P.

[warbird51]

Wayne
Oh how I wish I had a pix of that

We may be able to fix you up. I did take pics. I'll look through the boxes to find them. Of course, this was before digital pics!

Wayne

Stoney, I found the pics. PM me with you home address and I"ll send you some copies.
Wayne