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Rare Bear

Rare Bear is a highly modified Grumman F8F-2 , a single-engine piston-powered originally produced by Aircraft Engineering Corporation for the during the late 1940s. Acquired as a wreck in 1968 by aviator Lyle Shelton, it was extensively rebuilt and raced under the name "Rare Bear" starting in , becoming one of the most successful Unlimited-class competitors in pylon air racing history. Powered by a custom-upgraded Wright R-3350 radial engine capable of producing up to 4,500 horsepower, Rare Bear holds the (FAI)-certified world speed record for piston-engined, propeller-driven aircraft at 528.33 miles per hour (850.26 km/h), set in 1989. The aircraft's racing career began modestly after its salvage from a 1962 crash in , where it had been stored in a field following retirement from naval service in 1956. Shelton, a former U.S. Navy pilot, reconstructed it with a donated Wright R-3350 engine from a airliner and debuted it at the 1969 Air Races in , as "Able Cat," qualifying fifth with a speed of 356.4 mph. Renamed "Rare Bear" in 1980, it underwent progressive modifications, including weight reductions of approximately 500 pounds, aerodynamic enhancements, and a shift to a three-blade in 1990, boosting its performance far beyond the stock Bearcat's capabilities. These upgrades, incorporating components like a from a EC-121 and custom parts from a , transformed it into a dominant racer capable of sustaining high speeds in tight pylon courses. Rare Bear achieved remarkable success across multiple decades, securing 10 victories in the Unlimited class at the Reno Air Races, including six National Championships between 1973 and 1991 under Shelton's piloting. It also triumphed at other venues such as Mojave, Miami, Hamilton, California, and Cape May, New Jersey, while setting additional records like a 3,000-meter time-to-climb in 91.9 seconds in 1972 and Unlimited-class speed records of 468.20 mph in 1990 and 481 mph in 1991. Later pilots, including John Penney, who won Reno Golds in 2004 and 2005, continued its legacy after Shelton's retirement. Acquired by businessman Rod Lewis in 2006 for under $2 million—followed by nearly $2 million in further restorations—Rare Bear won a Reno Gold race in 2007 and continued to compete until placing second in 2015 before retirement from racing. As of 2024, owned by the Air Legends Foundation and stored at Ezell Aviation in Breckenridge, Texas, where it is undergoing restoration, it remains a symbol of air racing innovation and piston-engine performance extremes. Following the discontinuation of Unlimited-class racing at Reno after a 2019 fatal crash, Rare Bear has not competed but remains preserved for potential future display or flight.

Design and modifications

Original Grumman F8F Bearcat

The Grumman F8F Bearcat was developed as a carrier-based fighter aircraft for the United States Navy in the immediate aftermath of World War II, designed to succeed the F6F Hellcat with a focus on superior climb rate, maneuverability, and power-to-weight ratio through lightweight construction. This single-engine piston-powered interceptor emphasized short takeoff and landing capabilities for naval operations, featuring a compact airframe that reduced weight by approximately 2,000 pounds compared to its predecessor while retaining robust combat performance. The F8F-2 variant, upon which Rare Bear is based, was powered by a single R-2800-34W Double Wasp 18-cylinder air-cooled producing 2,100 horsepower, driving a four-blade constant-speed . Key performance specifications included a maximum speed of 421 mph at 19,700 feet, a service ceiling of 38,700 feet, an empty weight of 7,070 pounds, and a of 35 feet 10 inches with full-length folding wings for storage. Structurally, it employed an aluminum fuselage in a low-wing configuration, providing strength and lightness, while a offered enhanced pilot visibility over earlier designs. Armament provisions consisted of four 20 mm AN/M3 cannons mounted in the wings, along with underwing hardpoints for rockets or bombs, though these were not utilized in the racing configuration. The specific airframe for Rare Bear, Bureau Number (BuNo) 122629 with manufacturer's serial number D-1170, was constructed in 1946 and initially delivered to the U.S. Navy for service. These original features provided a strong foundation that was extensively modified in later years for air racing.

Engine and powerplant upgrades

In 1969, during the initial rebuild of the aircraft, the original Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine was replaced with a Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone radial engine sourced from a Douglas A-1 Skyraider, featuring 3,350 cubic inches of displacement across 18 cylinders and initially delivering 2,700 horsepower. This swap significantly boosted power output compared to the stock Bearcat configuration, providing the foundation for subsequent racing modifications. By the 1980s, further refinements transformed the R-3350-26WD variant into a high-performance unit, incorporating a variable-speed adapted from a EC-121, water-methanol injection for anti-detonation, and a system for short bursts of additional power. These enhancements enabled the engine to produce 4,000 horsepower at 3,200 rpm and 80 inches of manifold pressure under normal operation, with peaks reaching 4,500 horsepower when nitrous was engaged. Propeller adaptations complemented these power gains, evolving from the original four-blade Aeroproducts unit to a custom three-blade configuration in 1990, utilizing a Hamilton Standard Hydromatic hub paired with blades adapted from a Lockheed P-3 Orion and measuring approximately 13.5 feet in diameter to optimize efficiency at high speeds. Fuel system modifications supported sustained high-power runs, expanding internal capacity to 180 gallons and employing high-octane 115/145 avgas blended with anti-detonation additives, including water-methanol mixtures delivered via direct injection. To manage the intense heat generated, custom cooling solutions were implemented, notably a boil-off oil cooler system that vaporized excess oil into steam vented through the tail, preventing overheating during prolonged maximum-power operation. These powerplant advancements not only elevated top speeds but also facilitated faster climb rates essential for record-setting performances.

Aerodynamic and structural changes

To optimize Rare Bear for high-speed pylon racing, extensive aerodynamic modifications were made to the original Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat airframe, focusing on drag reduction and structural reinforcement to withstand extreme maneuvers. The wings were significantly shortened from the stock span of 35 feet 10 inches to 30 feet 6 inches, reducing the wing area from 244 square feet to approximately 221.6 square feet. This clipping decreased induced drag at high speeds while increasing wing loading to 38.35 pounds per square foot at a takeoff gross weight of 8,500 pounds, enabling better straight-line performance in races despite the higher loading during turns. The wing spars were reinforced to handle G-forces exceeding 8 Gs typical in Unlimited-class pylon racing. The underwent streamlining with added fairings to smooth airflow, and the was removed to further minimize . A custom low-profile replaced the original, improving pilot visibility during tight turns while presenting a reduced frontal area for lower . These alterations contributed to the aircraft's sleek profile, essential for achieving speeds over 500 mph. Significant weight reductions were achieved by stripping military hardware, including the four 20 mm cannons, armor plating, and arrestor hook, resulting in an empty weight of approximately 6,570 pounds—about 500 pounds lighter than the stock F8F-2's 7,070 pounds, even after accommodating heavier propulsion components. This lighter airframe improved and without compromising structural integrity. The tail assembly was modified for enhanced stability at racing speeds, with the enlarged by 1 foot in height to improve yaw control above 500 mph, where designs could become unstable. Ailerons (17 square feet) and elevators (19 square feet) were reinforced for precise control under high dynamic pressures, and the (10 square feet) was covered in lightweight fabric to reduce weight while maintaining effectiveness. The landing gear was strengthened to endure rough operations at desert race venues like Reno-Stead Airport, with added fairings to cut drag during high-speed taxi and takeoff runs. These changes ensured reliable ground handling without adding undue weight or aerodynamic penalty.

Operational history

Acquisition and initial rebuild

In 1968, U.S. Navy veteran and pilot Lyle Shelton discovered the derelict wreck of a F8F-2 (BuNo 122629, c/n D-1170) at Porter County Regional Airport in , where it had been abandoned since a 1962 crash-landing caused by a throttle-on roll that resulted in the aircraft cartwheeling and breaking into two sections. The airframe, originally delivered to the U.S. Navy in 1948, had been registered civilly as N1031B after its military career and was stripped of usable parts following the incident. Shelton, then a TWA pilot, purchased the wreckage for $2,500 and led its restoration with a team including mechanic Bill Hickle and crew chief Cliff Putman, transporting it to , in late 1968 for repairs. The rebuild focused on structural integrity, with the welded and reinforced to address damage from the crash, and the wings re-skinned for airworthiness; the original R-2800 engine was replaced with a more powerful donated Wright R-3350 radial engine to prepare it for . Initial ground runs and taxi tests at Valparaiso revealed lingering structural weaknesses, which were corrected through additional reinforcements to the , ensuring stability for flight. The restored , initially named "Able Cat," achieved its first flight on September 13, 1969, at Porter County Regional Airport, marking the completion of the rebuild just in time for its racing debut later that year.

Early racing years (1969-1979)

Rare Bear, initially raced as "Able Cat," debuted in the Unlimited class at the 1969 National Championship Air Races in , where it completed its first competitive outing by finishing fifth with an average speed of 356.4 mph, hampered by handling issues and an engine failure during the event. Piloted by owner Lyle Shelton, a former U.S. Navy aviator, the aircraft's entry marked the culmination of an intensive restoration effort that transformed a wrecked F8F-2 Bearcat into a competitive racer, with the initial Wright R-3350 engine installation providing around 2,700 horsepower. During the 1970 and 1971 seasons, the team concentrated on refinements to the R-3350 powerplant, addressing reliability concerns while competing at events such as the Air Races and subsequent Reno meetings, where Rare Bear earned minor placings amid ongoing developmental challenges. In 1970, an engine failure sidelined the aircraft during qualifying at Reno, while 1971 brought its first victory at the Cape May race in , demonstrating incremental progress under Shelton's primary piloting. The early crew, including crew chief Cliff Putman and volunteer mechanics, handled on-site repairs and modifications, relying on collaborative expertise to maintain the racer's operational tempo. In 1972, amid these early operations, Shelton piloted Rare Bear to a successful certification of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale's 3,000-meter time-to-climb record, achieving the ascent in 91.9 seconds and surpassing a longstanding mark from 1946. The period also saw continued competition, with the aircraft renamed "Phoenix I" and securing wins at venues like and Mojave by 1974-1975, though a propeller-related issue during 1975 practice and a major engine failure leading to a at the 1976 Mojave Air Race highlighted persistent mechanical vulnerabilities. These incidents prompted a temporary retirement from 1976 through 1979, allowing the team to regroup without sponsorship support.

Racing career

Unlimited class competitions

Rare Bear competed in the Unlimited class of air racing, a high-speed format featuring heats of up to eight navigating an ovoid course marked by 7-10 pylons, typically spanning about 3 miles per lap at altitudes of 50 to 100 feet above the ground. The rules emphasized precise turns around the pylons to avoid cutting the course, with judges stationed at each pylon to enforce compliance, and races conducted at venues including the Reno National Championship Air Races (the primary site from 1969 to 2015), as well as events in and during the aircraft's early career. Over its decades-long participation, Rare Bear demonstrated strong performance trends in the Unlimited class, securing a total of 11 victories, including multiple wins at Reno, along with several second- and third-place finishes that underscored its competitive edge. However, mechanical challenges occasionally hampered its results, such as an engine overheat leading to a did-not-finish (DNF) in a qualifying run and cooling system issues during the 2011 Reno event. The aircraft frequently faced formidable rivals in the Unlimited class, including highly modified North American P-51 Mustangs like the "Red Baron" RB-51 and "Strega," Vought F4U Corsairs, and other Grumman F8F Bearcats such as "Miss Ashley II." Rare Bear's final competitive appearances came in 2014 and 2015 at Reno, where it placed second in the 2015 Gold Final with a speed of 471.957 mph.

Notable victories and pilots

Rare Bear's racing success was largely defined by the piloting prowess of Lyle Shelton, who acquired and raced the aircraft from 1969 through the early 1990s, securing multiple Unlimited class victories at the Reno National Championship Air Races. Under Shelton's tenure, the Bearcat achieved wins in 1973 and 1975 at Reno, followed by four consecutive triumphs from 1988 to 1991, with the 1991 victory clocked at an average speed of 481.618 mph. Shelton pioneered advanced handling techniques for the highly modified airframe, including precise management of its boost system to deliver bursts of up to 5,000 shaft horsepower during critical race phases, enabling tight turns and straight-line acceleration that set it apart from competitors. In the 1990s and 2000s, John Penney took the controls, starting as a substitute pilot in 1985 and becoming the primary flyer, amassing three Reno wins in 2004, 2005, and 2007, alongside victories at the Phoenix 500 Air Races in 1994 (434.158 mph average) and 1995. Penney was renowned for his aggressive pylon maneuvers, often flying mere feet from the markers while leveraging the aircraft's clipped wings and high-output R-4360 engine with nitrous injection for superior cornering speeds. His 2007 Reno triumph, averaging 478.394 mph, marked Rare Bear's final race victory, edging out the P-51D Voodoo in a photo-finish duel that highlighted the team's meticulous preparation, including synchronized nitrous timing for peak power delivery. The Rare Bear team evolved under ownership transitions, initially led by Shelton until 2006, when Rod Lewis of Lewis Air Legends acquired the aircraft and its dedicated crew, ensuring continued competitiveness through custom race setups like optimized nitrous systems and aerodynamic tweaks. Later pilots included Ron Buccarelli, who flew in 2006 amid engine challenges but contributed to team development, and Stewart Dawson, who piloted in 2014 and 2015, achieving a near-win with second place in the 2015 Reno Unlimited Gold race at 471.957 mph behind —demonstrating the aircraft's enduring potential despite the era's mechanical hurdles. occasionally substituted in demonstration flights and supported team efforts, underscoring the collaborative dynamics that sustained Rare Bear's legacy in Unlimited racing.

Records

Speed records

Rare Bear achieved its most prominent speed record on August 21, 1989, when pilot Lyle Shelton flew the aircraft over a 3 km straight course near , averaging 528.33 mph (850.26 km/h). This (FAI)-certified mark, ratified by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) under FAI Record File Number 8437, surpassed the previous piston-engine propeller-driven record of 483.04 mph (776.73 km/h) set by Darryl Greenamyer's modified "Conquest I" in 1969 by 45.29 mph (72.87 km/h). The record attempt involved four low-altitude passes over the precisely measured course, with the official speed calculated as the average of the two best runs to account for variables like wind and alignment. Powered by a highly modified engine producing over 4,000 horsepower with full augmentation for peak output, Rare Bear demonstrated the pinnacle of piston-engine and propulsion in a propeller-driven . This achievement established Rare Bear as the holder of the absolute world for propeller-driven piston-engine , a title it retains as of 2025, underscoring its enduring significance in aviation history despite FAI's later classification changes that retired the specific 3 km category. The record highlighted the aircraft's optimized design, including clipped wings, a extended fuselage, and a four-bladed , enabling sustained high-speed performance unmatched by contemporaries.

Time-to-climb records

In 1972, Rare Bear established a Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) world record in Class C-1 for time-to-climb to 3,000 meters (9,843 feet), completing the ascent in 91.9 seconds from a standing start. This performance, equivalent to a climb rate of approximately 6,426 feet per minute, was achieved by pilot Lyle Shelton during the Reno National Championship Air Races and surpassed a 1946 mark set by a stock Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat. This record, like the speed record, remains in a retired FAI category as of 2025, preserving its standing. The record flight utilized Rare Bear's modified , which delivered over 3,850 horsepower through supercharging for the high-altitude push. The ascent followed FAI protocols for a full-throttle vertical climb beginning immediately after takeoff from near ground level, with altitude and timing verified by official observers using synchronized cameras and barometric altimeters. Water-methanol injection in the R-3350 played a key role in enabling sustained maximum power without engine detonation during the demanding vertical profile. This record highlighted Rare Bear's exceptional vertical performance, distinguishing it from contemporaries focused primarily on level-flight speed.

Current status and legacy

Ownership and preservation

Rare Bear was acquired by Rod Lewis in 2006 and has been owned by the Lewis Air Legends Foundation since then. As of 2025, Rare Bear, owned by the Lewis Air Legends Foundation, is based at Lewis Ranch Airport in , , and has not flown since 2015 due to high operational costs. It is maintained in airworthy condition for preservation as a historical artifact in a dedicated facility.

Cultural significance

Rare Bear's dominance in Unlimited-class has profoundly influenced the sport, serving as a benchmark for extreme performance modifications in vintage warbirds. Its radical engineering, including a custom high-output and aerodynamic refinements, demonstrated the untapped potential of piston-powered aircraft, encouraging teams to push boundaries in drag reduction and power enhancement on similar platforms like P-51 Mustangs and Hawker Sea Furies. This era of innovation coincided with the ' surge in popularity during the 1980s and , where Rare Bear's consistent victories and crowd-pleasing displays drew record attendance and solidified the event as a cornerstone of enthusiasm. Beyond the racetrack, Rare Bear has permeated through media portrayals and enthusiast recreations. Featured prominently in aviation publications, it embodies the spirit that captivated audiences, as noted in profiles highlighting its resilience and fan devotion. Hobbyists have immortalized the aircraft in scale models, with commercially available kits and RC versions enabling widespread replication of its iconic Reno livery and form. In digital media, Rare Bear appears in Microsoft Flight Simulator's expansion, allowing virtual pilots to experience its legacy alongside other historic racers. Rare Bear's enduring legacy is marked by honors bestowed upon its team, including the 1999 induction of original pilot and owner Lyle Shelton into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, recognizing contributions to air racing's evolution. As the holder of the piston-engine propeller speed record, it symbolizes the pinnacle of pre-jet aviation performance, inspiring ongoing interest in optimization and restoration.

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