F8F-2 Bearcat "Rare Bear" Reno 2013

A few flights of the Bear during the 50th anniversary of the National Championship Air Races held in Reno, NV. The first segment is of the Bear's late afternoon test hop before her turn on the course during the qualifying session the next day.

[@donthetrader]

Rear Bear has special importance to me. My best friend from childhood, Lyle, picked most of the plane ( crashed) up, on a trailer and drove to my home where it sat for a week. The plane was rebuilt by a wonderful group of mostly volunteers, to eventually become Rare Bear, and speed record holder ! Lyle passed away at age 77….the number Rare Bear carried.

[@paulmurphy42]

Reno is at ground level, but WW2 fighters like the Bearcat were designed to fly their fastest at about 30,000 feet, for dogfighting and to escort bombers. So what top speed would Rare Bear be able to reach at 30,000 feet, a/ if no adjustments were made to its current engine and b/ if it were adjusted to give its best at 30,000 feet?

[@olivertoeknuckle4664]

Every enthusiast needs to witness this bird fly in person. The sound will send chills up and down your spine, the giant motor combined with the unique sound of propellor tips breaking the sound barrier, it's an experience you'll never forget. Make the trip! Hopefully Mr Bear will fly at the next Reno race.

[@davidefland1985]

Propeller tips do not break the sound barrier on props or helicopters. There was only one plane that occurred on. It was the F-84 Thunderstreak, it had a counter rotating turboprop it was one of the loudest planes. Called it the thunder screech.

[@BobFeiring]

@@davidefland1985 100% bullshit. Every T6 racer spins it's prop fast enough that the tips go SS. F1 racers do the same. Some if the sports and even some unlimited racer do this.

[@davidefland1985]

@@BobFeiring l work on Navy aircraft l know

[@fishis14]

@@davidefland1985 I am the leading mechanic at Viking Air, I have done extensive work on radials, especially the Wasp Junior Radial, I can assure you that on take off, the prop tips on the beaver are spinning faster than the speed of sound. Trust me I know.

[@benjigault9043]

@@davidefland1985 apparently you dont know because you are 100% wrong on this... lots of planes that have prop tips break the sound barrier...

[@19sloper]

Congratulations........ Best Reno videos I have seen. No rock music, no commentary, just airplane sounds and damn good camera work. Great quality. Thanks!

[@ericnguyen1419]

19sloper ii

[@byronparker5930]

19sl

[@ericbernard4403]

My dad worked on this plane when I was a boy. I got to see it in the hanger at Compton airport several times and sit in it once. I remember my dad talking with Lyle Shelton and hearing some of the stories about this plane. My dad lived his whole life around planes and called the Rare Bears hanger his home, literally. He passed his love of aircraft down to me and my brother’s.

[@guardianobserver6593]

Great man!

[@chrispychickin]

hahah, the Bearcat is honestly more prop than it is plane. What a spectacular beast!

[@johnkranig2054]

DossKat, probably how it goes over 400mph. I was thinking they put a turbo in it.

[@SonOfFudge]

it’s an engine that has wings

[@Magravator1671]

It looked a lot different when they got it for sure. Kinda looks like a cartoon plane now.

[@Tibb91]

The big R-3350's sound is simply astonishing!

[@antipenndeux]

Should be a R2800.

[@russg1801]

There's No Replacement for Displacement which is why they went with the B-29 engine.

[@gruntabro1]

Thought it was powered by a 28 cylinder 4360

[@ferrarikingdom]

@@gruntabro1 it is

[@NoTaboos]

Why astonishing?

[@boldrbangr9834]

I was lucky enough to be there. It was one of the last races that most of the big name Unlimiteds attended before they were retired, restored to stock or fell to calamity. It was awesome!

[@Itbebobby]

With all the time passed it really seemed like that was the last of the great radial vs Mustang races. Sad I missed the voodoo Strega years of the late 2010s

[@davecrupel2817]

That paint job makes her look 60 years younger!! I love it! 😍

[@email4664]

What a spectacular bit of paintwork on this bird. I recall being on the pylons with press passes as a teenager while watching the warbirds whip by. Rare Bear and of course, the Sea furys were my favorite

[@jacobhoffman927]

This probably the best sounding THING ever

[@marilyn3583]

Thank you. No jockrock BS. Just pure, real sound.

[@JBorda]

That sputtering sound is so satisfying

[@gruntabro1]

That idle is to die for!!! crank up the volume :-)

[@camgnilpe9300]

no it is not to die for! STFU!

[@nigelohr]

Beautiful video indeed - thank you for sharing this with us.

[@warbirdfotos]

Wow! Beautifully done, Jason! As always!

[@mustangsandwich]

I just love Rare Bear. I've been going to the Reno races on and off for a log time and have always enjoyed looking at the beautiful bird. Best of luck to the crew.

[@DLWELD]

Great video - just the real goods in steady high def and great sound - no music, no bad zooms, no jiggles - perfect - do some more!

[@PaddyPatrone]

And another awesome portrait of an Reno-Racer. Keep up the good work !

[@sherryneglia4804]

I absolutely love these planes to start with and this particular one is OUTSTANDING! tremendous job building this one. Hats off to you! Well done 👏

[@KutWrite]

Beautiful plane. May it fly forever! I just noticed, the tailwheel retracts, too! If I squint, it reminds me a bit of the T-28 I flew in the Navy - that wonderful radial sound.

[@wesleymccurtain166]

The Bearcat was always one of my favorite aircraft after seeing this bird perform at air shows!

[@jonnybeck6723]

Thanx for yet another great and perfectly done video... Cripes, that 1st lap wuz QUICK! cheers

[@duanebarr3471]

That sound!!!!

[@joeblow5037]

The sexiest unlimited racer of all time, bar none.

[@shields8947]

that start-up though

[@4501trainman]

Great Hi-Def-Video of my favorite Prop-Driven Racer and keep up the Great Work. I changed from being a Mustang-Fan,to a Bearcat-Fan when I saw Bill Fornof 's Copper-Colored-F8F-2 Bearcat perform for the Navy-Relief-Fund, while I was in the Navy years ago.

[@christopheschwartz7374]

Le Rear Bear! Mon préféré même avec ces nouvelles couleurs et son moteur surpuissant il est de plus en plus magnifique! Merci pour cette vidéo

[@air-headedaviator1805]

Holy crap I didn’t know this didn’t have flaps. Of everything about the plane that honestly seems the most incredible. It really sacrifices all for speed

[@HotelPapa100]

This also helps with attitude when landing, keeping the prop clear of the ground.

[@409novaman]

What a wonderful sound, beast.

[@brucekucharski2727]

I am happy to see the 'Bear' is alive and well? I am ancient history, was on the 1985 effort. We did the flap 'removal' and other things, lots and lots of memories and pictures. Great time, first shot for 'John Penny', etc., etc. Never forget it!

[@jayhickey5012]

Looks like a prop from an Osprey! That thing is massive! Love the video.

[@davidhampton6502]

It's from a P3 Orion, (Sub killer), a 4 engine turbo prop.

[@storm1sandy764]

I was watching this bird when Lyle Shelton ( If I spelled the name right) Was the pilot. Love the sound. Distinctive.

[@MissKay1994]

I never get tired of hearing the roar of that Double wasp engine. Its awesome.

[@MichaelHux24]

Wright Duplex Cyclone in place of the Double Wasp. Twice the power...when not cranky :-P

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

Michael Hux Wright R3350 from a Skyraider.

[@richardjoganah1871]

Lovely bearcat video,my favorite Grumman aircraft ,must go to reno oneday ☺

[@chrishussar7729]

I have been most fortunate to see the Bear race in years,past. Great historic air racer of its time.

[@stovepipesfsxguitarriffsch31]

Thats how you do a video with the Bear......no gd music Awesome camera and sound sir.

[@eromadrol]

GREAT !!! Thanks for sharing !

[@dalesharpy9197]

I went to the Reno Air Races back in 1988 and Rare Bear was one of my faves! We had Pit Passes so we got up close to all of the aircraft.

[@HunterLohseRRVideos]

My Great Uncle is John Penney, never got to see him too much, but always kept track of what he was doing on the Bear in Reno, unfortunately the chance to go to the Races in Reno never were in the cards, but always had admiration for his love for the skies. I took to the love of things on rails

[@mattf49006]

what a piece of history...growing up in socal and flying in and out of VanNuys airport..i used to walk by Rare Bear sitting at a tie down near the cessna FBO....the airframe wasn't modified like it is now..had the original engine in it..painted white with the bear on the vertical stab

[@73THUNDERDOME73]

What a magnificent airplane, gosh darn she’s beautiful

[@gooniac33]

Pure engine sound and stuff thats happening at the time of the flight.... just how it should be!!! Thanks for leaving it raw!! Also who the hell in the right mind would thumbs down this video???? It makes no sense.... because the video is awesome!!!!

[@hugejohnson5011]

I know very little about aero engines, but the staccato exhaust sound at idle on this machine tells me that I like it! I have been employed for over 25 years in the automobile/motorcycle industry, and am fairly caught up in the performance end of things. So, to hear that plane's engine is very enjoyable to me!

[@altonwilliams7117]

It’s a rebuilt F8 Bearcat with the engine from an A1 Skyraider.

[@ctbram0627]

It is a beautiful airplane. I saw it at Reno when it had the P3 orion propeller and the sound it made as it flew by was chilling!

[@Voodoo1650]

ctbram0627 It definitely sounded amazing with that prop on her, here's a video of her I posted awhile back, enjoy!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/opu4mH5ph8l4ptE

[@petertimowreef9085]

Cool footage, thanks! I like how you can see the alternating cylinders firing at 5:45

[@call_me_stan5887]

And you can clearly hear it too with a "prrr prrr prrr prrr prrr" sound

[@goobyplz9040]

Such a cool looking aircraft.

[@nathanheaston7796]

Anyone who is learning to fly watching this should take note of the rudder during take-off, and immediately after the wheels leave the ground.

[@katiebuffington9102]

I wanna see more rare bear. that thing's as sweet as it gets. I want it!

[@RemoVegas]

That Is JUST Fucking SICK Thanks A Million..! Once AGAIN YOUR Da Best.. It's YOUR Videos SPREAD OUT Throughout The YEAR, That Get US ALL Through The WAIT For NEXT YEAR..!

[@Diax1324]

CAPS..LOCK

[@williamcost8168]

Love the Rare Bear!

[@kentleykingtaggart7034]

UNREAL the sound of the P&W .

[@shortchange26]

I've never had the honor of working a radial before. My father sure did. 22 years Navy. Ww2. I remember him talking of triple compounding the Pratt and Whitney 9 cylinders.

[@pilot3016]

Beautiful! The sound was always awesome. She hauled butt.. if the engine held together.

[@davidmangold1838]

I had the honor to be Lyle’s copilot many times, at TWA, on the MD-80. He was a great stick, but I had to help him on which buttons and knobs to use🤪. The MCP mode control panel was complex.

[@Voodoo1650]

He was such a great race pilot! He made a very difficult plane to fly around the course, look easy! He and a lot of the air racing greats are very missed. I’m fortunate to have been able see him race in person.

[@radio645]

Now this is the "Sound of Music", great video, without any crappy, porn, background music to ruin it. Thanks for posting this, Rare Bear, RULES!.

[@Flat_Stanley]

OMG the sound!

[@Mike383HK]

I saw the new engine once after they had just installed it. It was a machinists dream. Just a work of art. A real hot rod. This is supposed to be the baddest plane out there.

[@rickrivers2909]

KZbin should have a heart icon next to the thumbs.

[@kingghidorah8106]

Once Upon a Time, an engine was born with a plane stuck at it. What a brutal sound!

[@frassicanino]

What a beast!

[@yahatinda]

Yes cooling drag is a problem solved by P-51. The vSpits were SUPPOSED to have a lo-drag system but did not. The later wing by Supermarine was not as sucessful as Mitchells orriginal . It had large amounts of washout to keep the ailerons lively near a stall BUT washout added drag to a really good wing as well.

[@_Gart_]

i love seeing these old warbirds being used for something cool

[@staccatoPOP]

Roll over Beethoven,tell Tchaikovsky the news,there's a better song going 'round,and it's played by a r-3350,conducted by Stewart Dawson.Sweet,sweet music.Keep it coming Voodoo-1650.Well done sir.

[@jimstepan3038]

staccatoPOP - absolutely the most fitting comment for the most thrilling video of the ultimate air racing hot rod!

[@vitalylesindorf640]

So beautiful! Какой красивый!

[@YZ250W1]

I really miss this plane. It’s not the same anymore.

[@ValiRossi]

I saw this plane back in the mid 90s at the air races in Mesa Arizona. It smoked the field. I think it had a 3 bladed prop back then.

[@Amac1825]

At idle is sounds like my cammed ls. Fantastic!

[@bigroy38]

I love Rare Bear.

[@StonyRC]

DAMN that Bear can sing!

[@fredtedstedman]

You don't see many American radials with a spinner ?? This installation is super-neat , SeaFury Like , love it !!

[@MYPLACERCOUNTYHOME]

The Hellcat at !:55 is love at first sight!

[@injunmick8498]

Andy Solis I saw that too, nice assembly of warbirds there.

[@3ducs]

My Dad flew Hellcats in the Pacific.

[@brucekucharski2727]

A bit of historical info. JohnPenny told me he would 'actually' lose 5 pounds during the race. The 'firewall' on the 'bear' is only a sheet of aluminum, and 18 cylinders pumping out over 4000 HP generates a lot of heat! Part of the reason for wearing the Mask, along with the possibility of asphyxiation. The radios were encased with a pocket to hold ice, to keep them cool enough to keep working! Fun stuff! GO 'BEAR'!

[@thethirdman225]

God what a sound.

[@StewartEvans52]

TheThirdMan nice sound but still not as nice as a merlin

[@thethirdman225]

crotchrocket00 _"nearly 200 mph faster than the original"_ Either a typo or a slight exaggeration...

[@robertallen4434]

+soaringtractor Neither Bearcat or Mustang were the fastest (piston engine) WW2 planes. The Tigercat (460mph) and DO335 (475 mph) were both faster. A few later variants of the P47 were faster. The XP47J apparently hit 505 mph in 1944 (but it never reached production). They're all great planes though.

[@thethirdman225]

robert allen Just ignore soaringtractor. He's a troll.

[@thethirdman225]

soaringtractor Same old lines Wilbur. Heard them all before. Posting irrelevant and unsubstantiated crap won't make you a pillar of wisdom no matter how hard you try. I'm going to mute the comments here so we don't have to listen to you.

[@GVBiggs524]

That's a good-sounding engine!

[@TheSirianKnight]

That was the LAP speed!!!

[@cedrictavernier1437]

Sublime

[@MrCalman65]

What a beast

[@randalmcmurphy1893]

excellent

[@guardianobserver6593]

WHAT a SOUND!!! 😳😳😳

[@glennllewellyn7369]

WOW.

[@paulmurphy42]

Reno is at ground level, but WW2 fighters like the Bearcat were designed to fly their fastest at about 30,000 feet, for dogfighting and to escort bombers. So what top speed would Rare Bear be able to reach at 30,000 feet, a/ if no adjustments were made to its current engine and b/ if it were adjusted to give its best at 30,000 feet?

[@JETFOURLITRE]

sounds even more awesome than the r2800!

[@oceanhome2023]

The colors detract from seeing her beautiful form ! Anyone else agree ?

[@Zuloff]

I remember seeing Rare Bear as a purple and white engineless derelict at Van Nuys Airport every week when I went to Civil Air Patrol meetings at the Condors circa 1978-82.

[@magicyeti5630]

Seen this Bad MFr n Van Nuys, always the most distant airplane in the Valley

[@12345fowler]

Nice 3 points landing. Textbook.

[@holeshotshane6344]

I love how Grumman built aircraft can do 3 wheel lift offs like its nothing lol freaking naval aviation haha

[@dirtdobberblue]

that is one bad ass hotrod

[@johnbarnes7716]

what i didn't know until we got there in 2007 is that they run NOS. holed pistons happen.

[@RCHeliJet]

Very nice Aircraft.!

[@rjwintl]

reminds me of a Focke-Wulf 190 !!!

[@philanderson9386]

That airplane has no wing!! I remember seeing Levitz with the conra rotating prop in a P51 fuse. and the lear wings break up, in front of the stands

[@joevald3]

Sweet .............

[@christopherwhite1648]

As awesome as this race Bearcat is, I can say watching and hearing a stock late war P51, P47, P38, F4U, F6F or Spitfire really does for me.

[@jerrywilderman1569]

Imagine jumping a Zero in one of those.

[@ronmartin3755]

The Rare Bear should have kept that monstrous 3 bladed prop!Well, I guess Rare Bear's racing days are over! The new owner has her in a special hangar and appears to have retired the Bear! I guess this plane was so popular, and won so many Reno Golds as well as a lot of other races that is it fitting she be allowed to rest on peace! I certainly wouldn't want this plane to have an accident and crash and be gomne forever so I guess this retirement is for the good of the Sport of Air Racing.

[@davidrobinson7112]

Beee-ooootiful bird....

[@yamacat4010]

That thing looks like quite the challenge to land.

[@skyfivehd643]

Jesus that sound...