For decades, the “Flight of the Cats or Cat Flight,” legendary fighter aircraft produced by Grumman, has thrilled airshow audiences across North America. Each of the Grumman “Cats” holds a unique place in American military aviation history. The F4F-3 Wildcat entered service in 1940 and had an outstanding combination of durability, maneuverability, armament, and range. The F6F Hellcat replaced the Wildcat and was designed to match the Japanese Zero fighter airplanes. The F7F Tigercat heavy fighter aircraft was the first twin-engine fighter deployed by the U.S. Navy and served from the end of World War II until 1954. The F8F Bearcat, Grumman’s last piston-engine fighter aircraft, was introduced at the end of World War II and served both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps throughout the middle part of the 20th Century. The F9F Panther, made famous in the movie, The Bridges at Toko-Ri, was Grumman’s first jet powered fighter airplane to see air-to-air combat with the US Navy in the Korean War. The carrier-capable supersonic F-14 Tomcat was an icon of Naval Aviation during the jet age, seeing service from 1974 to 2006.
Inducted in 2025.
Portrait Location: Not Currently on Floor

Induction Video