Delivered to the US Navy as 122689 in 1946. Sold as N1031B. Crashed at Valparaiso, IN in 1962. Wreck stored at Mundelein, IL. Sold, reregistered as N777L and rebuilt as a racer in 1968. Flew again in 1969. Current on the register in 2024.

Photo by Steve Kraus.

The Rare Bear is a 1946 built Grumman F8F Bearcat. It has been restored, substantially modified and equipped with a Wright R3350 engine producing in excess of 4000 horsepower. This has allowed the Rare Bear to establish the Closed Course World Speed Record (528.3 MPH) and 3000 Meter Time-To-Climb Record (91.9 seconds) and to win the Reno Air Race 2004! May we call it 'the fastest propeller driven aircraft in the world?'

Race modified F8F-2 USN Bureau Number 122629 owned by Mr. Lyle Shelton in 1973. A few weeks before this slide was taken N777L, with Mr. Shelton flying, won the 1973 Reno Unlimited Class Race with an average speed of 428.16 MPH. On 21 August 1989 Mr. Shelton & N777L set a piston engine speed record of 528.33 MPH (850.26 KM/HR). Now owned by Mr. Rod Lewis of San Antonio, TX.