I know it has nothing to do with Lancairs, but to put things in context, the De Havilland Mosquito with two Merlins of the same type as the P-51 could easily go to 40,000 feet and one model is credited with a top speed of 437 mph.  Oh, and it flew in 1940, and was a bomber that could carry more bombs than a B-17 and further.  It also was a fighter, torpedo bomber, and recce aircraft.  Finally it was arguably the first high speed composite airplane.  I also read a pilot's report that said that you could easily do a slow roll after take off with one engine feathered, not that I would want to.  So liquid cooled engines can work!

 

Jerry Fisher

 

On 4/3/07, Tom Gourley <tom.gourley@verizon.net> wrote:

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  It was too late for WWII and became quickly outdated as the jets came in.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.

Bearcat Specifications: 

Max Speed = 455 mph	Cruising Speed: 425 mph
Range:  1650 miles	Service Ceiling: 42,300 ft.
Span:  35 ft. 6 in.	Length:  27 ft. 6 in.
Height:  13 ft. 10 in.	Weight:  9, 300 lbs. Max

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