Why Bearcats would go to fleet carriers first

If the Second World War lasted another year, would Bearcats first equip fleet carriers or replace Wildcats on escort carriers?

Fleet carriers would receive them first for rapid point defence against kamikazes and gaps in the carrier air screen.

Fleet carriers faced the most urgent kamikaze threat and would receive the F8F Bearcat before escort carriers. Its rapid climb made it a point-defence fighter that could launch when an attacker slipped through the outer screen. That role differed from long-endurance Hellcats and Corsairs already orbiting high as part of the big blue blanket. The panel also considers British interest as Seafires wore out, though late-war British designs were approaching service too.