War Machines The U.S. Planned to Use On Japan

F8F Bearcat

The fast and agile Grumman F8F Bearcat fighter plane was already in limited service with the U.S. Navy on VJ Day and would certainly have been used in conjunction with Allied Corsairs, Mustangs and Hellcats in Operation Downfall. Designed to fly from U.S. carriers, the first model Bearcat reached a top speed of 430 mph (678 km/h); while upgraded variants could fly even faster. A nimble fighter and a capable attack aircraft, the F8F would have been instrumental in ensuring American air superiority over Japan, while providing close air support to friendly forces on the ground.