Bearcat to replace Sea Fury at 2010 show

The Hawker Sea Fury booked for the 2010 Airshow has developed engine problems preventing it from being available to perform in the show.  We hope to see the Argonaut in brilliant form soon!

The Historic Flight Foundation (already showcasing their latest addition, the B-25 Mitchell) will display their F8F Bearcat, known as “Wampus Cat” in the warbird portion of the show.  Continue reading below for more information on the F8F Bearcat and “Wampus Cat”.
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F8F Bearcat "Wampus Cat"
Though designed to meet and beat Japanese Zero and defend Navy fleets against incoming kamikaze attacks, the Bearcat entered service just as WWII hostilities ended.  1266 Bearcats were built and around 10 remain airworthy.  The Bearcat coming to Abbotsford hails from the Historic Flight Foundation in Everett, Washington.

General information:
http://www.warbirdalley.com/bearcat.htm

Historic Flight page:
http://historicflight.org/hf/collection/bearcat/

Wampus Cat history:
Wampus Cat spent its first 10 years in various Navy hangars until 1959 when it underwent a major overhaul and became airworthy for reconnaissance.  In 1964 Wampus Cat began its air racing career in Reno, Nevada and continued racing, under various names, until 1990.  It then moved on to Europe for the better part of the 1990s before returning to the Heritage Flight Museum in Bellingham, WA in 1997, where it received the name Wampus Cat.  Wampus Cat is now a part of the Historic Flight collection.
More here:  http://historicflight.org/hf/collection/bearcat/bearcat-backstory/