David Doyle is well known to historians and modelers alike, with over 200 books to his credit. His Legends of Warfare series covers many of the important machines used in warfare. This latest volume is for the Grumman F8F Bearcat. The F8F was the last and ultimate of the Grumman propeller driven fighters. Too late for combat in WWII and with the dawn and superiority in speed of the jet, the Bearcat order was cut down considerably. The only combat was while serving with the French in Indochina. Like its contemporaries, the Sea Fury, and the La-9/11, the F8F was fast and maneuverable. And like the sea Fury it survived because of that speed and maneuverability making it a favorite on the air show circuit and air racing.

The book is broken down into an introduction and two chapters. Chapter one covers the F8F-1 and Chapter two covers the F8F-2.

Both chapters have brief coverage of the model within, but the true treasure of this book are the many photos contained within. Photos of details, production, operations as well as color photos from the F8F’s service time and numerous warbird Bearcats currently flying!

The reader is provided with a host of photos to enjoy. I can heartily recommend this book to all with an interest in the F8F whether casual reader, historian, or modeler. The many detail photos alone will make it a needed book for all building F*F models. All will like this!

Our thanks to David Doyle Books for the review copy and my thanks to IPMS/USA for the review opportunity.