The Tigercat had a less than memorable Navy career, with its longest service providing drone control, ironically enough of drone F6Fs.

 

When the F7F-2N’s were retired for the later versions, several were converted to high performance airborne control aircraft. Major changes to the airframe included a raised second seat behind the pilot for the controller. A Bearcat canopy was married to the fuselage. All guns were deleted, and an ADF antenna housing was mounted to the upper nose section. Some aircraft were fi tted with under wing pylons for the launch of KD2G-2 anti-aircraft drones. The drones were powered by pulse jets similar to those used on Germany’s V-1.
Another obvious change for the F7F-2D was the color scheme. It was designed to provide maximum visibility during gunnery practice. Glossy blue fuselage and nacelles, bright yellow wings and empennage, red rudder, and red bands around the wings outboard of the nacelles. The F7F-2D drone controller was retired from service in September of 1957.