Sightings
- By Michael Klesius
- Air & Space magazine, January 2009
David Leininger
The only three Grumman F7F Tigercats flying in late summer 2008 lined up for this shot above Pyramid Lake, Nevada, on September 10, the first three-Tigercat formation flown since the 1960s. Unlike Grumman’s other prop-driven, thick-neck felines—the Wildcat, Hellcat, and Bearcat—the Tigercat was built for speed. The Navy’s first twin-engine fighter, it shouldered a pair of Pratt & Whitney 2,100-horsepower engines on a sleek body, and topped 450 mph. Too heavy for carriers, it flew from bases, mostly with the Marines. And too late for World War II, it saw time in Korea flying reconnaissance and radar bombing, and escorting B-29s on night raids.
The idea of herding the ’cats dawned on photographer David Leininger last summer at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. John Muszala, pilot of Bad Kitty (foreground), owned by Seattle’s Historic Flight Foundation, told Leininger that he’d be at the Reno National Championship Air Races in September, where Mike Brown would be racing his own Tigercat, Big Bossman (middle). Then Clay Lacy showed up in a Tigercat owned by Joe Clark of Seattle.
For the photo shoot, the trio maintained 172 mph to keep from passing Leininger, in a Beechcraft Bonanza A36. “The airplane’s not real responsive at such a low speed,” says Lacy. “I looked over and saw Mike had about 15 percent flaps and I said, ‘Heck, I’ll do that too.’ ” Afterward, they wowed the crowd at Reno with a flyby.
“The growling of those engines running in unison,” says Leininger, “it was a symphony of radial noise.”
Five other Tigercats are on display around the country: at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida; the Fantasy of Flight Museum in Polk City, Florida; the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona; the Palm Springs Air Museum in California; and the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California.
Comments (4)
I got the chance to see Mike Brown's Tigercat up close and personal at MCAS Yuma this past year when he did a photo op with the members of the Harrier Squadron that my nephew was in (since moved on to Command College). It was awesome and what a sound when that beautiful aircraft headed down the runway and lifted off. Amazing restoration for a wonderful aircraft. Anyone who hasn't seen one of these birds is missing something spectacular and special. Thank you to those that restored them and a special thanks to Mike and crew!
How do we get a poster of that picture from the magazine?
Semper Fi!
Ron Pelayo
USMC(R)
Posted by ron.pelayo on November 23,2008 | 06:45 PM
I was at Reno while these magnificent aircraft were there!! What an awesome sight...And the sound of an F7F letting it all hang out was something to remember! This is for me the most beautiful reciprocating airplane in the Grumman line.
I'd love to be able to get a copy of this plane!!
Posted by Rich Obrecht on December 25,2008 | 11:13 AM
Too bad this pic isn't bigger or higher resolution. I'd love to have it as a wallpaper! Interesting article also. John Muszala gave me my first P-51 ride!!!!! Great guy and consumate pilot!
Posted by Steve Link on January 11,2009 | 12:18 PM
Ditto above comment. Need to be able to click pic for a larger version with higher resolution
Posted by Herb on February 26,2009 | 07:24 AM