The Grumman F7F Tigercat was one of the most powerful piston engined fighters ever produced. Although it’s development began before the US joined WWII in 1941 very few were in operation before the end of the war in 1945.

Development of the F7F began in December 1940 and the US Navy placed an order for two prototypes in June 1941.

The first prototype made its maiden flight on 3 November 1943 and its great potential led the Nary to order 500.

The first operational F7F was delivered on 29 April 1944 but stability problems meant they could not be flown from aircraft carriers so they were used by the US Marine Corps as night fighters.

The end of the war in August 1945 meant that only 354 F7Fs were produced and they were withdrawn from service in 1954.

This model represents G-142 of VFM-312, USMC, at MCAS El Toro in 1946.

Monogram 1.72 kit with Microscale decals. Completed in February 2007.