Dates

Event

Constructed as a F8F-2N.
The last Bearcat built by Grumman.

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Navy with BuNo 122708.

1958

To Christopher F. Christopher, Asbury Park NJ with new c/r N7701C.

1963

To Rudolph Paslaski, Detroit MI keeping c/r N7701C.

1966

To Michael J. Devanny, Cincinnati OH keeping c/r N7701C.

From 27 May 1966 to 30 May 1966

Unknown Race #.
The race number is not known. The primary pilot was Bill Fornoff.

1969

To Ronald E. Reynolds, Norwalk CT keeping c/r N7701C.

1973

To Jack M. Sliker, Wadley GA keeping c/r N7701C.

Circa 1973

Photographer: Larry Johnson
Notes: In TMB at the 1973 Miami Air Races. N777L is behind it.

From 16 January 1973 to 21 January 1973

Raced as #4, named Escape II.
Competed at the The Great Miami Air Race in the Roscoe Turner Speed Classic race. The primary pilot was Jack Sliker. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 366.470 mph.

From 16 January 1973 to 21 January 1973

Raced as #4, named Escape II.
Competed at the The Great Miami Air Race in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Jack Sliker. Qualified in 1st place with an average speed of 383.562 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 338.929 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 347.782 mph.

Circa 16 January 1973

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Great Miami Air Race.

From 11 September 1973 to 16 September 1973

Raced as #4, named Escape II.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Jack SIiker. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 407.39 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 390.63 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 387.60 mph.

15 September 1973

Photographer: William T Larkins
Notes: At 1973 Reno Air Races in Nevada

Circa 1974

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: It is not clear if this photo was taken at Reno.

September 1974

Markings Applied: Escape II, rade #4
Flown by Jack Sliker in the Reno National Championship Air Races, Nevada.

From 10 September 1974 to 15 September 1974

Raced as #4, named Escape II.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Jack SIiker. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 396.00 mph. Started Heat B, but did not finish. Raced in the Make-Up race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 373.52 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 374.81 mph.

Circa 10 September 1974

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

11 September 1974

Photographer: William T Larkins
Notes: At Reno Air Races, Nevada

Circa October 1974

Photographer: Gary Maisack
Notes: 1974 Mojave Air Races, CA

Circa October 1974

Photographer: Gary Maisack
Notes: At Reno Air Races, Nevada, USA

From 9 October 1974 to 13 October 1974

Raced as #4, named Escape II.
Competed at the National Air Races Mojave in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was John M Sliker. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 357.686 mph. Started the Consolation race, but did not finish. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 369.504 mph. Raced in the Heat race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 315.020 mph. Was a fill-in for the consolidation race.

Circa 18 June 1975

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the California National Air Races held at Mojave, CA.

From 18 June 1975 to 22 June 1975

Raced as #4, named Escape II.
Competed at the California National Air Races in the Drag race. The primary pilot was Jack Sliker. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 268.96 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 278.16 mph.

From 18 June 1975 to 22 June 1975

Raced as #4, named Escape II.
Competed at the California National Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Jack Sliker. Qualified in 5th place with an average speed of 397.04 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 374.08 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 383.94 mph.

From 9 September 1975 to 14 September 1975

Raced as #4, named Escape II.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Jack Sliker. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 393.31 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 387.20 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 381.97 mph.

Circa 9 September 1975

Photographer: Al Chute

14 September 1975

Photographer: Gary Maisack
Notes: Gold Race, Reno Air Races, Stead Field, NV

16 September 1975

Crashed.
Summarized NTSB narrative from report number LAX76FUJ23: There was one fatality. Incident occurred at 11:00 hours. The damage was substantial. Incident occurred at the Pulliam Airport, Flagstaff, AZ. The flight departed from Reno, NV, with the destination Flagstaff, AZ. The engine failed or malfunctioned while descending. Collided with ditches on touch down. The factors included; airport conditions were a factor. There was complete power loss in the failure of one engine...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

Circa 20 June 1986

Certificate of airworthiness for N7701C (F8F-2, 122708) issued.

20 June 1986

To Elmer F. Ward, Santa Ana, CA keeping c/r N7701C.

Purchased as a wreck - parts were used to re-build c/n D.1081 at Chino, CA.
For more information about this other airframe see this Airframe Dossier

6 June 1996

Civil registration, N7701C, cancelled.