The F8F-1 Bearcat is a rank III fighter-bomber in the US tech tree. It is known for its superb climb rate and turn time. It also can hold bombs and rockets for Ground Battles. During WW2, it was used in late 1945 as a carrier based fighter/attacker.
A Bearcat climbing to altitude
This was written from the perspective of Air Realistic Battles, Arcade/Sim may differ.
The Bearcat in Air Battles
A Bearcat flying over an aircraft carrier
The F8F-1 should primarily be used in Air Battles, where its strengths can shine.
Tips and Tricks:
- Get an altitude advantage. Use the Bearcat's climb rate to your advantage and take the first 5 minutes or so of the battle to climb to 5000 m (16404 ft) or higher. This will give you a good vantage point to boom-n-zoom enemies that are below you. Fun Fact: the Bearcat's climb rate rivals that of the BF-109F!
- Only use high throttle if absolutely necessary. This plane's massive R-2800 radial engine can overheat rather quickly, so it's best to use throttles of around 80-85% while cruising. In a fight, the engine can be used at full WEP for around 1:30 without overheating if you need to escape.
- If you need to escape, use your dive speed. The Bearcat has extremely sturdy wings, which won't rip until you're around 513 mph (827 km/h). If you are in a situation where you are outnumbered, out-dive your opponents and use your good energy retention to get back to base (albeit you must be at least 5000 m to reach an adequate dive speed).
- Avoid head-to-heads with cannon-armed aircraft. Although one could argue that with gunpods the Bearcat could beat a cannon-armed plane in a head-to-head, it's still quite risky. If your engine gets shot up, the plane is pretty much useless. Try to lure heavily-armed planes (Bf-109s, VB-10s, P-47s, P-51s) into a dogfight and utilize your superior turn time. Alternatively, if you possess the altitude advantage, it would be in your best interest to boom-n-zoom.
- If your engine has been critically damaged, get back to base. If you have been damaged badly enough that the plane can't turn adequately anymore, get back to base fast. Once damaged, the F8F-1's performance is severely hampered. Also, a damaged engine can leave you vulnerable at all altitudes to boom-n-zoom attacks, and stalls become a big risk.
- Be careful with certain maneuvers. Certain maneuvers can put you in a flatspin, which I found out the hard way while trying to out-turn a de Havilland Mosquito. The maneuver I attempted is below.
Dangerous maneuver at low altitude; sorry, it's pretty crude
- Research gunpods as soon as possible. The F8F's 4x .50 caliber machine guns are pretty lackluster, especially at a battle rating where cannons are very prominent and effective. These gunpods will add an extra four .50 guns to the Bearcat, giving it the same armament count as a P-47!
- Watch how hard you are turning. The F8F, while an excellent mid-altitude dogfighter, loses a lot of speed and energy in sharp turns. This can put you at a big disadvantage when dogfighting planes with similar turn times, like late Spitfires.
- Watch how much ammo you are firing. Without gunpods, the F8F can only carry a mediocre 1250 rounds of ammo. Make your shots count, and use API-T rounds for setting fires. Not to mention that the stock guns jam quite easily if fired for too long.
- Don't turnfight Zeroes below 4500 m. Basic rule of thumb. Just don't.
F8F Against Ground Targets
Although the F8F-1's sister aircraft, the F8F-1b, is better suited for ground attack, the base F8F can still make an effective CAS plane with its loadouts.
A French F8F firing rockets at points of opportunity
Tips and Tricks for each loadout:
- The DPG-1 Gunpods are the first loadout you can research for the F8F. It consists of two extra pairs of .50 caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns, bringing its total to 8 guns. These can be used on softer ground targets, like AAA, some howitzers, artillery, and mid-tier SPAAs.
- The HVAR rockets are the second in the loadout research line. These are best fired off 2-3 at a time when close to the target to ensure a connection. These unguided HVARs are useful against all previously mentioned targets, but can also be used against some medium tanks and even bases for chip damage.
- Next, the Tiny Tim rockets are available. These are two massive rockets that can crack open some of the toughest targets. Tiny Tims can be used against small ships, as well as heavy tanks. If you want to have some fun, you could try to use these against big bombers, but this isn't a normally effective strategy.
- Finally, the F8F can hold 1000 lb and 500 lb bombs. These can be used for any of the previous targets, and also put a dent in a ship.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent all-round maneuverability | Exposed radial engine is easily damaged |
| Good loadouts | Lackluster stock armament |
| Good energy retention/acceleration | Weak to 20 mm cannons and above |
| Absurdly good climb rate | Suffers from severe control compression at high speeds |
| More than capable CAS plane | Can't soak as much damage as contemporary aircraft |
| Respectable high-altitude performance | Guns jam under heavy usage |
| Durable engine; overheating takes a bit to inflict any damage | Vulnerable to head-on attacks |
| Good ground handling characteristics | Wings rip above 513 mph; watch your diving |
| Can take off from a carrier | Stock engine is somewhat average |
| Durable landing gear and hook; forgiving landing characteristics | Gunpods degrade flight performance |
| Very fast | F8F-1b/F4U series is a better option for more loadouts |
Conclusion
An F8F-1 engaging the enemy
All in all, the Bearcat is a solid option for a player learning to play energy fighters and boom-n-zoom planes. The aircraft can be played aggressively or defensively. Its performance and flight characteristics will not fail you in a dogfight. Its loadouts can be useful in Ground Battles, and even Naval!
Have a great rest of your day and be sure to check out the Bearcat next time you play!
Images Used
- Bearcat Climbing to Altitude: War Thunder (Arcade): F8F-1 Bearcat - The Definition of Performance - Paul Walsh | YouTube
- Bearcat Flying Over Aircraft Carrier: F8F-1 - War Thunder Wiki* | WIKIWIKI.jp
- Dangerous Maneuver: Google Drawing - Made by me, DuplexTooth6250
- French F8F Firing Rockets: Screenshot by ChonkBonk | Live.WarThunder.com
- F8F Engaging the Enemy: [Aircraft Profile] F8F Bearcat - News - War Thunder | WarThunder.com
