RNZAF Grumman Tigercat F.1

[comrade harps]

Grumman Tigercat F.1
a/c 60 "Syncopation"/ "Mad Mac", No. 2 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF)
Cam Ranh, Annam, French Indochina, March 1946



The RNZAF became aware of the Grumman F7F Tigercat twin-engined fighter-bomber in early 1942. Suitably impressed, the New Zealanders expressed interest in acquiring the type and developed their own specifications for single- (Tigercat F.1) and two-seat (Tigercat F.2) export models. Although both versions were to be equipped with the APS-6 radar, the New Zealanders considered airborne radar to be a future standard for both day fighter and night fighter operations and refrained from designating these aircraft as night fighters.




The F.1 model was analogous to the F7F-3 and the F.2 the F7F-3N. Both versions were armed with four 20mm M3 cannons, the F.1 carrying an additional four .50 cal Browning machine guns. Unlike US Tigercats, the New Zealand versions were able to carry up to six 260lb bombs on racks located between the four underwing rocket stubs. The F.1s also carried additional internal fuel for long-range missions.




The Tigercat F.1 entered service first, No.2 Squadron relinquishing their PV-1 Ventura patrol bombers in April 1945 for the single seater. Originally slated to begin their next combat tour in the South-West Pacific theatre from September, in August they were retasked to join SEAC and moved north to the newly established RAF base at Cam Ranh. Arriving mid-September, the Tigercats ranged over Indochina and the South China Sea, conducting armed reconnaissance fighter-bomber sweeps, interdiction strike, close air support and convoy escort missions until the end of the war. They participated in the Allied seizure of Saigon, flew long-range shipping escort and airfield strike missions in support of the British assault on Hong Kong and were active in close air support during the Japanese offensive in Indochina following the March, 1946, Allied invasion of Honshu. No 2 Squadron and its Tigercat F.1s remained at Cam Ranh until the end of war. During these campaigns the Tigercats delivered US 260lb and 500lb bombs, US 65 gallon napalm tanks and 5 inch HVAR.




The unit moved to Iwakuni, Japan, for occupation duties in June 1946, and re-equipped with Tigercat F.2s in July, 1947. No 2 Squadron was relieved by the P-51Ds of No.14 Squadron in February 1948 and deployed home to Ohakea. In July 1950 the Tigercat F.2s of No 2 Squadron were again deployed to Southeast Asia for combat, joining the Commonwealth's war against Maoist insurgents in Malaya and based at Alor Setar. No.2 Squadron replaced their Tigercats with  GAF Canberra B.20s in 1955.




RNZAF Tigercats also saw action during the Oboe operations in the Dutch East Indies during 1945-46 with No. 7 and No. 8 squadrons, fling F.1 and F.2 versions, respectively. No. 8 Squadron took their Tigercat F.2s into combat over Korea between August 1950 and September 1952, mostly flying from Iwakuni in Japan on night interdiction missions.

[strobez]

I love Tigercats. Nice to see another around here.  Great work! 👍

[zenrat]

Good job Comrade.

[Old Wombat]

 

[DogfighterZen]

Looks good!

[NARSES2]

Looks good 

[zenrat]

Wouldn't it be a "Tuggerket" though?

<ducks for cover>

[NARSES2]

Should have asked, but which kit is this ?

The Tigercat is one of my favourite aircraft and whilst the Revell/Monogram 1/72 kit is an old one she builds beautifully.

I've built one as a FAA aircraft but on North Sea duties. Not sure about my other one. Possibly R.A.F. S.E.A.C. over Indo China in dark green/dark earth uppers ?

[chrisonord]

one of my favourite ww2 birds and she is looking good Comrade
Chris

[strobez]

Should have asked, but which kit is this ?

The Tigercat is one of my favourite aircraft and whilst the Revell/Monogram 1/72 kit is an old one she builds beautifully.

I can tell by the engines, that's the Revell/Monogram one alright...

[NARSES2]

Should have asked, but which kit is this ?

The Tigercat is one of my favourite aircraft and whilst the Revell/Monogram 1/72 kit is an old one she builds beautifully.

I can tell by the engines, that's the Revell/Monogram one alright...

Thank you 

[comrade harps]

Should have asked, but which kit is this ?

The Tigercat is one of my favourite aircraft and whilst the Revell/Monogram 1/72 kit is an old one she builds beautifully.

I can tell by the engines, that's the Revell/Monogram one alright...

It certainly is. Picked up cheaply at the Melbourne Model Expo swap'n'smell. Goes together easily but like all Tigercats needs heaps of lead in the nose (but there's plenty of room - partly because there's bugger-all of a cockpit).
Thank you