The Grumman F8F Bearcat was the ultimate development of the company's legendary series of "cats" which were the backbone of the US Navy's carrier might during World War II. Built around the same engine as the Hellcat (the Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp), the F8F was designed with the smallest and lightest airframe possible with such a powerplant. This resulted in its stubbier look compared to its predecessor, although its cut back fuselage had the benefit of allowing a bubble canopy, a first in a USN fighter. The result was one of the best handling aircraft of its day and with an impressive rate of climb but not without a few compromises which included short range and relatively weak armament of just four .50-in machine guns (later upgraded to more adequate 20-mm cannon). Unfortunately, the Bearcat arrived too late to see combat during the war but went on to equip up to 24 USN units by 1948 and was later adapted as a night fighter with a wing-mounted radar pod as well as a reconnaissance fighter. Despite the fact it was considered one of the finest piston-engined fighters ever built, the F8F was soon replaced by the more capable jet fighters of the post-war era and retired from US service in 1952. Export customers included France and Thailand, the former which used them in combat in Indochina during the 1950s, with survivors handed over to the South Vietnam air force.

The prototype XF8F-1 had its maiden flight on 21 August 1944 and nearly four thousand units were on order when the end of the war prompted the cancellation of over three-fourths of the total. Still, the first operational units began receiving the F8F-1 in the summer of 1945 but missed out from combat before VJ Day. This was complemented with the F8F-1B with cannon armament (export aircraft for France were designated F8F-1(D)B) as well as the F8F-1N night fighter with AN/APS-19 radar. The improved F8F-2 featured various structural changes, notably a taller tail, and was armed with cannon. A night fighter version was known as the F8F-2N, while the F8F-2D was a drone control aircraft. An armed reconnaissance fighter was known as the F8F-2P and was the last to remain in US service.