Back in the Sky: Restored F8F Bearcat’s First Flight

A legend returns to the skies! After more than 7000 hours of meticulous work by The Flying Bulls team, the mighty Grumman F8F Bearcat is ready for its first takeoff from Salzburg. Join us inside the cockpit as the crew prepares the powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine, performs the preflight checks and sends this remarkably fast and agile warbird into the air. During the 20-minute test flight, we inspect the landing gear, gear doors, flap behavior, engine readings and flight controls with a chase plane providing a close-up Air 2 Air view. Lighter than the Corsair but powered by the same engine, the Bearcat delivers truly breathtaking performance. From its unusual articulated landing gear to its incredible acceleration and climb, this flight shows why pilots consider it one of the finest piston-engine fighters ever built. Turn up the volume, enjoy that unmistakable radial roar and watch the Bearcat fly again! Watch the full clip of our restauration efforts:    • 7,000 Work Hours Later… The Bearcat Is Bac...   👇 follow us on Instagram   / theflyingbulls   ✈️ find out more about our fleet https://www.flyingbulls.at 🏛 make sure to visit Hangar-7 https://www.hangar-7.com