Westland/Grumman F7F-5P 'Bosscat' PR.4

[Bungle]

In the early 1950's the Royal Navy were keen to acquire a fast photo reconnaissance aircraft that could fly from their carrier fleet. With the RAF bringing the Canberra on-line and the Shackleton in the hands of Coastal Command the Senior Service looked to Westland for a solution.

Westland had over estimated the Navy's desire for the Wyvern and had a stockpile of Armstrong Siddeley Python engines and initial considered re-launching the cancelled TF.2 converting it to a photo reconnaissance version. But in a bizarre link up with Grumman, Westland were given several airframes from the Tigercat (F7F-3) project that was scaling down. Unfortunately the F7F-3 was a single seater and the RN's specification required a twin seater. Westland got around this by extending the nose and lengthening the wingspan.

Twelve F7F-5P's were produce for the Royal Navy and two for Grummans own use. Westland decided not to name their creation after the original Tigercat but fittingly gave it the moniker Bosscat.

[Kerrillc]

That is a really great whiff. Westland AND Grumman together. Where are Benny and Brain and the rest of the gang?

That was a really inspired build.

Well done!

Kerrill

EDIT: The callsign of the aircraft would not be TC would it?

[chrisonord]

Now this I do like
Is it 48th or 72nd Andy? We need to know more details on this thing,
Smashing!!
Chris.

[Gary F]

Nice idea and work.  But yeah, more details!

Gary F

[sideshowbob9]

That is nice! Love the contra-prop Pythons! 

[Doc Yo]

 Nothing I love more* than overpowered twins, and this certainly fills the bill. Well done!








* I was going to say "Except Sybil Danning" but then  it occured to me that she probably qualified as
over powered twins as well...

[ChernayaAkula]

Brilliant! 

[thedarkmaster]

Like it a lot.     

[kitnut617]

YES !!!!!!  oh yes !!  love it   

[Ed S]

Very nice.  That thing must really haul a** with that much power and all those prop blades.

Ed

[Captain Canada]

Wow. Just plain wow ! That has got to be one of the sexiest birds ever to grace this joint. Between the colour, the props, the tip tanks, the Suez stripes.....uhhhh....this baby has it all !

[Sisko]

Now I really like this design!   I would be interested in knowing some of the bits and bobs you used to build this baby.

Especially the engines.

[GTX]

Nice!

Regards,

Greg

[NARSES2]

Gorgeous 

[Radish]

FABULOUS