The F8F Bearcat was developed and produced by the Grumman Aircraft Corporation.  Development of the Bearcat began in 1943 and while it was superior in every way to the swift, agile Japanese fighters flying in the Pacific combat theater late in World War II, it was deployed to late to see actual combat during the war.  The F8F Bearcat has the distinction of being the last operational piston engined fighter to be flown by the United States Navy at the dawn of the jet age.  While the Bearcat had been phased out of frontline service by the Korean War, it did see service during the early 1950s by the French Air Force in ground attack sorties flown in French Indochina.  The F8F Bearcat was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine rated at 2,700 h.p. which gave it a top speed of 434 m.p.h. and a maximum range of 1,830 miles.  The Bearcat carried four 20 mm cannon and could carry up to 1,000 lbs of bombs or rockets under the wings on fixed hardpoints.  This older F8F-2 Bearcat which was produced from old Hawk Model Comapny molds includes the following features: 1) Authentic markings for a F8F-2 Bearcat operated by the United States Navy; 2) Clear 2-piece plastic canopy; 3) Detailed radial engine; 4) One fuselage mounted external fuel drop tank; 5) Two bombs; 6) Two Missiles; 7) Recessed panel lines; 8) Painting guide in color and 9) Illustrated assembly instructions.  The box is in excellent condition.  Never started and 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions inventoried.