The San Diego Air & Space Museum recently received an aircraft that truly lives up to its name. One look at this newest addition makes it clear—it really is a Tiger.

Generously donated by former U.S. Navy test pilot Bill Davies, through fellow test pilot Ian Hollingsworth, the Museum is now the proud recipient of the very first Grumman American AA-5B Tiger ever produced. The Tiger represents the final and most refined variant of the AA-5 line, which also included the AA-5 Traveler and the AA-5A Cheetah. Designed for both training and touring, the AA-5 series proved highly popular among general aviation pilots, with a total of 3,282 aircraft built across all variants.

The AA-5 Traveler debuted in 1971, powered by a 150-horsepower Lycoming engine, and was an immediate success—821 were produced. Seeking improved performance, Grumman introduced the AA-5A Cheetah with design refinements such as revised engine cowling and a larger fin fillet. The AA-5B Tiger marked the peak of the line, most notably with the addition of a more powerful 180-horsepower Lycoming engine.

In 1978, Grumman sold its light aircraft division to Gulfstream, which continued production of the Cheetah and Tiger for one additional year. The Tiger’s popularity endured well beyond its original production run—so much so that two companies were later formed to continue building the aircraft.

The Museum’s Tiger is AA-5B serial number 002, making it the first true Tiger built (serial number 001 was a modified Cheetah). Constructed in 1974 for the 1975 model year, the aircraft retains its original marketing paint scheme (registration N1502R), the same striking livery featured in Air Progress magazine. Remarkably, it has spent its entire life in San Diego County.

With 3,548.5 flight hours, the aircraft remains flyable, requiring only minor maintenance. Pilots familiar with the Tiger often remark that its distinctive smiling paint scheme perfectly reflects its personality—a pleasure to fly, yet capable of spirited performance when needed.

The Museum’s newest addition is currently on view at the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s Gillespie Field Annex located at 335 Kenney Street in El Cajon, California.