In Corky Meyer's "Flight Journal" (page 144 - Clipping the Bearcat's Wings) he says that LeRoy Grumman, Bud Gillies and Bob Hall went to England in early 1943 to try out axis aircraft and were fascinated by the Fw190 and Hall/Gillies preferred it to the Hellcat... Probably the same article as you are looking at already Stephan. Surely that must be authoritative?
Might be worth looking out Stephen Grey's article on the Bearcat which appeared in Fighter Log and also Pilot - I'm copying this thread to a member of TFC who might be able to forward you a copy.
Happy Christmas!
Treadders
PS Putnam "Grumman Aircraft since 1929" says Roy Grumman sent Bill Schwendler a confidential memo on 28/7/43 outlining the Bearcat concept - no mention of the Fw190.
Last edited by treadigraph; 24th Dec 2009 at 22:55.