Rudolph Daniel VAN DYKE, Jr (86105)

[twocee]

Stig,

You raise an interesting point. The History Cards for both aircraft show them as F8F-1s, never -1Ns, but it is known that they were tested with a radar nacelle under the starboard wing. Whether the nacelle ever contained a radar set I don't know, but at least it can said that they were flown with at least one of the features of the proposed F8F-1N.

In mid-1946 both went on loan to NACA, 94812 to Langley and 94819 to Ames. 94812 returned to the Navy and served as an F8F-1 with VF-19A in 1948. In my view if they had both been fully equipped night fighters they would not have gone to NACA so early on.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Intriguing George

Thanks for checking.
But those 12 "true" converted F8F-1N did carry their radar equipment?

Since the US Navy did not consider the conversion to be a success, were those 12 de-converted back
to normal F8F-1 standard post service with VCN-1/2?

Cheers
Stig

[twocee]

Stig,

Yes, I think that the production F8F-1Ns were fitted with an early version of the APS-19 radar.

Starting in late 1948 the survivors were converted to plain F8F-1s and saw service mainly with the Reserves.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks again George

Makes perfect sense!

Cheers
Stig