The Bearcat resembles a Wildcat with a much more powerful engine, and the dimensions support that description. It was slightly shorter than the Wildcat and markedly shorter than the Hellcat, with the smallest wingspan of the three. Its wing area was also below both predecessors, though its height was slightly greater. That compact airframe and stronger power-to-weight ratio produced a stated top speed of 455 miles per hour, comfortably above the Wildcat and Hellcat figures shown. Its suitability for space-conscious carrier operations is visible in the measurements themselves.
Chapter · 20:50-23:15
Compact dimensions turn engine power into carrier performance
A dimensional comparison shows how the Bearcat combined Wildcat-scale packaging with more speed and a smaller footprint than the Hellcat.