F8F-2 Bearcat flap construction

[warbird51]

Does anyone know if the F8F-2 Flaps were all fabric covered or did some come from the factory already metalized?

 

[Joe Fragala]

Does anyone know if the F8F-2 Flaps were all fabric covered or did some come from the factory already metalized?

I am not sure about all F8F-2 flaps, but I am happy to check the flaps at the CAF SoCal museum for you. We are in the midst of a restoration of our F8F-2.

Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat

 

[warbird51]

I am not sure about all F8F-2 flaps, but I am happy to check the flaps at the CAF SoCal museum for you. We are in the midst of a restoration of our F8F-2.
View attachment 599161View attachment 599162
Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat

That would be great!! The F8F-2 that the POF just finished are metalized. Just trying to find out if all came with fabric covering or if the factory switched over to metal during production

 

[Joe Fragala]

That would be great!! The F8F-2 that the POF just finished are metalized. Just trying to find out if all came with fabric covering or if the factory switched over to metal during production

IIRC, the flaps on the CAF plane are metal. But I'll check for you.
I have seen pics of the newly restored POF F8F and it looks great.
Are you just curious or another reason you would like to know?

 

[Big Jake]

From AN 01-85FD-2 dated 15 July, 1948:

 

[warbird51]

IIRC, the flaps on the CAF plane are metal. But I'll check for you.
I have seen pics of the newly restored POF F8F and it looks great.
Are you just curious or another reason you would like to know?

Another reason. A friend is building a 80" Bearcat rc model and he wanted to know if they came off the production line with fabric or did they change to metal during the production run. We've seen current flying Bearcats with metal flaps