Grumman F7F Tigercat

F7F Tigercat
An F7F-3P preserved in United States Marine Corps markings in flight
General information
TypeHeavy fighter
National originUnited States
ManufacturerGrumman
Primary usersUnited States Navy
Number built364
History
Manufactured1943–1946
Introduction date1944
First flight2 November 1943
Retired1954
Developed intoGrumman XTSF

The Grumman F7F Tigercat is a heavy fighter aircraft that served with the United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) from late in World War II until 1954. It was the first twin-engine fighter to be deployed by the USN. While the Tigercat was delivered too late to see combat in World War II, it did serve in reconnaissance roles. The Tigercat primarily saw action as a night fighter and attack aircraft during the Korean War.

Designed initially for service on Midway-class aircraft carriers, early production F7Fs were land-based variants. The type was too large to operate from older and smaller carriers, and only a late variant (F7F-4N) was certified for carrier service.