Grumman G-51 Tigercat (08-0410)

More info from PASM:

"This aircraft was...delivered to the US Navy on May 16, 1945. In March 1946 it was assigned to Marine Fighter Squadron 312 (VMF-312) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) located in El Toro, California. In July 1950 it was sent to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, for overhaul. After the overhaul it was re-assigned to Marine Night Fighter Squadron 533 (VMF(N)-533) and then Marine Night Fighter Training Squadron 20 (VMFT(N)-20), both at Cherry Point. In May 1953 it went into storage at Litchfield Park, Arizona, and was declared surplus in 1956."

And from Joe Baugher:

"Grumman F7F-3 Tigercat, 80410, (MSN C.152) became N7627C. Wreck reported in 1972 stored at Santa Rosa, CA, Reported 1988 stored dismantled at Borrego Springs, CA and later that year at Weeks Air Museum, Tamiana, FL. Later at Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ. When seen there Mar 11, 2004, carried civil registration N7627C."

This aircraft was recently repainted and moved inside. It looks very nice now. And I realize there really is no zero at the beginning of the Reg/Tail#, but that is the only way I've found to keep FA from adding an "N" and making it look like a civilian registration.

Isn't a Tigercat an F7F ?

Yup! This is an F7F-3, Tigercat.

seen at RAR (Reno Air Races) periodiclly -- just gorgeous!!

"that is the only way I've found to keep FA from adding an "N" and making it look like a civilian registration."

BRAVO Greg :-)

roger that! thanks, a mentor!

Dang! Look how narrow that cockpit is. Needed a shoehorn to slide the pilot down into the seat. Superior click, Greg.

Yeah, it's amazing that a pilot can fit in there! If you ever get a chance to see one in the air, take it! It is very cool!

the F7F + P38 would make a GREAT demo at KCNO or KRTS -- so would the F86 + Mig15/17

That would be a great demo! And speaking of the F-86 and Mig15/17, check out my picture here:

https://flightaware.com/photos/view/729112-8947d3af9466308812e8dd86724589758a5b2316/user/byingtongh/sort/dateasc/page/1

It is very cool to see them together.