Austrian Flying Bulls Collection Acquires New Aircraft: The Grumman F-8F Bearcat
Salzburg, Austria – The Austrian Flying Bulls, a celebrated group known for their passion for preserving aviation history, have recently expanded their remarkable collection with the acquisition of a Grumman F-8F Bearcat, registered as N68RW. This addition is no ordinary one—it’s an ultra-rare warbird, one of only twelve airworthy Bearcats left in the world, and it stands out even further with its distinctive Blue Angels livery. The news has sent ripples of excitement through the aviation community, as enthusiasts eagerly await its first appearance under the Flying Bulls’ banner.
Based at Salzburg Airport in Austria, the Flying Bulls have built a reputation for meticulously restoring and maintaining a diverse fleet of historic aircraft. From iconic World War II fighters to vintage helicopters, their collection is a testament to the golden age of aviation, with each machine kept in pristine, flying condition. The group, supported by their Red Bull sponsorship, frequently showcases these treasures at airshows and events across the globe, delighting audiences with the sights and sounds of a bygone era. The arrival of the Bearcat only strengthens their standing as one of the premier custodians of aviation heritage.
Grumman F-8F Bearcat N68RW
Photo: Carlos Menendez San Juan
The Grumman F-8F Bearcat itself is a storied aircraft, born in the waning days of World War II. Conceived after a pivotal 1942 meeting at Pearl Harbor between Grumman vice president Jake Swirbul and battle-hardened F4F Wildcat pilots, including tactical pioneer Lieutenant Commander Jimmie Thach, the Bearcat was designed with one key attribute in mind: an exceptional climb rate. Grumman’s engineers set out to craft the smallest, lightest fighter possible around the formidable Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine, a 2,000-horsepower powerhouse also used in the larger F6F Hellcat. The result was a compact, agile aircraft perfectly suited for the Navy’s escort carriers, which couldn’t accommodate bigger fighters. The prototype XF8F-1 took to the skies on August 21, 1944, showcasing a climb rate of 4,800 feet per minute and a top speed of 424 miles per hour. The Navy was sold, ordering over 2,000 units, though the war’s end in 1945 slashed production to just 770 F8F-1s.
Though it never saw combat in World War II, the Bearcat carved out a significant role in the post-war years, arming 24 Navy and Marine Corps fighter squadrons with its blend of speed and maneuverability. Its performance was so remarkable that it could hold its own against some early jet fighters. Perhaps its most famous stint came between 1946 and 1950, when the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration team traded their Hellcats for Bearcats. The switch paid off—the Bearcat’s aerobatic prowess dazzled crowds and cemented its place in aviation lore. In 1946, an unmodified F8F-1 even set a time-to-climb record, soaring to 10,000 feet in just 94 seconds after a 115-foot takeoff run, a feat that stood unchallenged by piston aircraft for a decade.
The Bearcat now in the Flying Bulls’ hands, N68RW, is an F8F-2 variant, a later iteration introduced in 1948 with enhancements like a taller vertical fin for better stability, an upgraded R-2800-30W engine pumping out 2,240 horsepower, and four 20 mm M2 cannons replacing the earlier .50-caliber machine guns. What makes N68RW truly special, however, is its paint job. Unlike most surviving Bearcats clad in standard U.S. Navy blue, this aircraft sports the lighter blue hues of “US Navy Blue Angels #1,” a nod to its historical ties with the famed demonstration squadron. It’s a standout feature that sets it apart from its peers and adds an extra layer of allure to its already impressive pedigree.
The journey of N68RW is a tale of resilience and revival. This Bearcat isn’t a single, original airframe but a composite creation, pieced together from parts of multiple aircraft. One of its most notable components is a fuselage once flown by Major Alford Williams, a renowned aviator who piloted it as “Gulfhawk II” for Gulf Oil-sponsored demonstrations in the late 1940s. After a devastating landing mishap in 1949, the damaged fuselage found its way to the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California. There, a team of dedicated restorers took on the Herculean task of bringing it back to life, blending it with parts from other Bearcats to craft a fully functional F8F-2. Over 12,000 man-hours later, the project was complete in 2005, and N68RW rolled out in its stunning Blue Angels colours—a museum-quality masterpiece ready to fly again.
This extraordinary warbird recently changed hands through Platinum Fighter Sales, a broker known for dealing in high-end vintage aircraft, finding its new home with the Flying Bulls. Its arrival in Austria shortly will mark a new chapter, but it also raises an intriguing question: what will it look like in the skies above Salzburg? The Flying Bulls’ fleet often reflects their Red Bull sponsorship, with many aircraft like the DC-6, B-25, T-6 or the PT-17 sporting bold, branded liveries. Yet N68RW’s Blue Angels paint scheme carries deep historical weight, and there’s a contingent of aviation purists hoping it stays as is. For now, no decision has been announced, leaving fans to speculate whether the Bearcat will keep its iconic lighter blue or take on a fresh Red Bull-themed design.
Whatever the outcome, the acquisition of N68RW is a coup for the Flying Bulls and a win for aviation history. With only a dozen flyable Bearcats left worldwide, this aircraft is a rare gem, a tangible link to the ingenuity and daring of the post-war aviation boom. Its presence in the Flying Bulls’ collection ensures it will continue to soar, captivating new generations with its power and grace. As it prepares for its Austrian debut, the Bearcat stands as a symbol of both its own storied past and the Flying Bulls’ unwavering commitment to keeping the spirit of flight alive.
