Originally Posted by
FlightlessParrot
This thread started, long ago, with examination of the idea that the F8F was inspired by the FW-190 towards the idea of putting the largest engine in lightest airframe.
The practice of marrying a great big engine to an afterthought of an airframe started when they invented air racing. Just look at the
Granville Gee Bee models.
I think it is more likely that development of one fighter was inspired by the fact that the current crop of steeds was being outperformed by the opposition's models. Fighter performance is very dependant on altitude, weight, temperature and the handling pilot so just stating that one type was meant to outperform or mimic one other type is a very broad statement. Surely, the F8F was meant to do better in one specific corner of the envelope, without sacrificing too many of the other corners, but without knowing what the designer was thinking at the time, any other statement about his inspiration is most likely over-simplified.