Bearcat info needed(update-got it!)

[Richard Grogan]

I had this posted on the scale forum, but due to low traffic, I moved it here for now.


This is my favorite plane of all time.The photo I have here was taken in 1971 at the Lake Charles Airshow. The father-son aerobatic team of Bill Fornoff and son J.W" Corky" were the performers in these beautiful bronze cats.

The A number was Bill, C was Corky's. Corky was also the old boyfriend of my english teacher, so I got to meet them and the cats up close and personal!! What deep painted STITTS surfaces! Their performance was something to behold, and I shall never forget them. They flew airshows coast to coast.I beleive Bill was later killed in his during a performance. Corky went on to fly BD-3s in Bond movies, ect... movie stunt pilot.

The reason I am posting is this is the only pic I have of them, and I cant see what the wing/stab trim outline was. I have been building a TF Golden? series RC Bearcat I am converting to CL.Has the molded fuse shells. The kit came with a blue outline/documentation book, but was lost years ago.I want to use this paint scheme.

My older brother was the photographer of this pic(slide) and many more,but he cant find any more of them.. I think they were stolen.I figure someone , maybe Keith Trostle may have some ideas, being Mr. Bearcat!(Just kiddin' Keith!!)
Yall let me know if you remember any details about these!
Richard

[Chris McMillin]

Due to a hard drive crash I no longer have many pics of the Fornof Cats but I will see what I have.
BTW, Corky flew N700A, which was a civilian airplane built by Grumman for Roger Khan as a company transport. Bill was killed in N7700C in 1971 during an airshow in Rhode Island. It was his second surplus Bearcat, he lost one in an off airport landing.

http://www.alexisparkinn.com/ifpf_photos.htm

Check this site.

Chris...   

[Richard Grogan]

Thanks Chris! I guess I got em' backwards... I e-mailed Corkey last night, maybe he has something around he can share.I have a high res scan(52Mb) of this slide I have offered to him if he wants it. This could of been the 70 airshow, but the slide was dated 71. IIRC, airshows in LC were in August.Thanks for posting the pic, it at least gives me some idea of the trim scheme.
Richard

[Richard Grogan]

Chris,
Thanks for that link. I got a reply email from Corkey this morning. He sent me 5 pics I never had seen. The mystery of the wing/stab trim scheme is solved!He also provided me with the correct colors(GM automotive paints)...
Thanks again!
RG

[Chris McMillin]

Hi Richard,
There was at least one other Bearcat painted in that scheme, but in bue. This was Mike Geren's racer in 1970. Great to see the pics Corkey sent you, he seems to be a pleasant guy.
Chris...

[Richard Grogan]

Chris,
I read on airliners.net that N700A was a Gulfhawk that belonged originally to Grumman's president!(I guess thats who you were talking about) Corkey said the paint scheme was designed by his Dad.
A few more pics......

[Richard Grogan]

And last but not least...

[Kerry Ewart]

I am curious,What were the colors on the bearcat??

[Richard Grogan]

Here is an excerpt from Corkeys email:

"The colors are GM and Cadillac division. The Copper is a "copper mist, the brown was a metallic cordovan and white was their white. All these colors were available in the mid to late 60's on. The wheel wells and inside of the gear doors were Cadillac silver metallic and the cockpits flat black. The prop blades were flat black but polished out with Red and white strips.
 
The design was done by Dad and make note on the nose cowl as it was made like an Australian throwing spear, that is the top part is different than the bottom."
RG