Grumman F7F-3 Tigercat  N7626C             (c/n  C146)

                                       

                                              Despite the fact that the prototype of the Tigercat first flew in December of 1943, production
                                              units were only reaching the US Navy and Marine Squadrons by mid 1945, too late to gain
                                              operational experience in WW II.    This example was ex BuAer 80404 and is currently owned
                                              by Kermit Weeks/Fantasy of Flight in Florida.   My shot shows it at Torrance Municipal Airport
                                              in much earlier days.