X-Virus-Scanned: clean according to Sophos on Logan.com X-SpamCatcher-Score: 2 [X] Return-Path: Sender: To: lml@lancaironline.net Date: Tue, 03 Apr 2007 09:25:24 -0400 Message-ID: X-Original-Return-Path: Received: from vms048pub.verizon.net ([206.46.252.48] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 5.1.8) with ESMTP id 1963855 for lml@lancaironline.net; Tue, 03 Apr 2007 02:42:48 -0400 Received: from jacky0da39824a ([71.111.147.183]) by vms048.mailsrvcs.net (Sun Java System Messaging Server 6.2-6.01 (built Apr 3 2006)) with ESMTPA id <0JFW002E4TB03630@vms048.mailsrvcs.net> for lml@lancaironline.net; Tue, 03 Apr 2007 01:42:39 -0500 (CDT) X-Original-Date: Mon, 02 Apr 2007 23:42:27 -0700 From: "Tom Gourley" Subject: [LML] Re: F8F vx P-51 (was: Thielert Diesel Centurion 4.0) X-Original-To: "Lancair Mailing List" Reply-to: "Tom Gourley" X-Original-Message-id: <005701c775bb$3f7ed7c0$790610ac@jacky0da39824a> MIME-version: 1.0 X-MIMEOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3028 X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3028 Content-type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0054_01C77580.927B8260" X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-priority: Normal References: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0054_01C77580.927B8260 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable The F-8F Bearcat was arguably the finest fighter ever built. It was = prop-driven. It was too late for WWII and became quickly outdated as = the jets came in. Those who have flown both the Bearcat and the Mustang = have been hard pressed to define the better bird to me, but most lean = toward the Bearcat.=20 Bearcat Specifications:=20 Max Speed =3D 455 mph Cruising Speed: 425 mph =20 Range: 1650 miles Service Ceiling: 42,300 ft. =20 Span: 35 ft. 6 in. Length: 27 ft. 6 in. =20 Height: 13 ft. 10 in. Weight: 9, 300 lbs. Max =20 Engine: Latest R-2800-E engine with a max rating of 2,500 hp. Don't you just love all the different specifications you can find on the = web? Warbird Alley list the following for the P-51D with a 1695HP = engine: Top speed: 437 mph Ceiling: 41,900 ft Empty weight: 7,125 lbs Max takeoff: 12,100 lbs While they show the Bearcat with a 2100HP engine at: Top speed 421 mph Ceiling 38,700 ft Empty weight: 7,070 lbs Max takeoff: 12,947 lbs Most other sites listed the Bearcat's top speed in the 421 to 428 mph = range, but that was at 2100HP. I did find one site that stated 455 mph = but it wasn't clear what HP rating was being used. Even at 455mph I = wouldn't say that the Bearcat was "quite a bit faster". So when = comparing the two planes I think "arguably" is the right word to use. = Both have loyal fans and both are awesome airplanes. I would have a = permanent ear-to-ear grin for the rest of my life if I could get some = stick time in either one. Tom Gourley ------=_NextPart_000_0054_01C77580.927B8260 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

The F-8F=20 Bearcat was arguably the finest fighter ever built. It was=20 prop-driven. It was too late for WWII and became quickly outdated = as the=20 jets came in. Those who have flown both the Bearcat and the = Mustang have=20 been hard pressed to define the better bird to me, but most lean toward = the=20 Bearcat.

Bearcat=20 Specifications:

Max Speed =3D 455=20 mph

Cruising Speed: 425 = mph=20

Range: 1650=20 miles

Service Ceiling: = 42,300 ft.=20

Span: 35 ft. 6=20 in.

Length: 27 ft. = 6 in.=20

Height: 13 ft. = 10=20 in.

Weight: 9, 300 = lbs. Max=20

Engine: Latest = R-2800-E engine=20 with a max rating of 2,500=20 hp.

Don't you just love all the = different=20 specifications you can find on the web? Warbird Alley list the = following=20 for the P-51D with a 1695HP engine:

Top speed: 437 mph

Ceiling: 41,900 ft

Empty weight: 7,125 lbs

Max takeoff: 12,100 lbs

While they show the Bearcat with a = 2100HP engine=20 at:

Top speed 421 mph

Ceiling 38,700 ft

Empty weight: 7,070 lbs

Max takeoff: 12,947 lbs

Most other sites listed the Bearcat's = top speed in=20 the 421 to 428 mph range, but that was at 2100HP. I did find one = site that=20 stated 455 mph but it wasn't clear what HP rating was being used. = Even at=20 455mph I wouldn't say that the Bearcat was "quite a bit = faster". =20 So when comparing the two planes I think "arguably" is the right = word to=20 use. Both have loyal fans and both are awesome airplanes. I = would=20 have a permanent ear-to-ear grin for the rest of my life if I = could get=20 some stick time in either one.

Tom Gourley

------=_NextPart_000_0054_01C77580.927B8260--