If you want to be REALLY specific, the Tigershark is an early 80s light fighter - light multi-role, not really able to do too much for anything, just nice to have around for a little of everything. Definitely continuing the multirole tradition of earlier craft. Sometimes confused with the much earlier F-5 Tiger.
The Tigercat is a somewhat earlier aircraft than the Bearcat, making progression as in the game inaccurate. Possibly a continuity error on the part of the programmers, or an effort to emphasise the technology jump?
Hmm
Anyway, from WC3 on it looks like the majority of Confed aircraft are built to represent the power/status of the fighter the name is taken from WITHIN THE TIME FRAME THE FIGHTER WAS BUILT. IE the Vamp is a fast, powerfully armed fighter (although im not sure about the structural stability of the original), the Panther is a wicked-looking interceptor with decent anti-ground, and the Devestator is a lumbering, well armored tub. NOTE: there are notable exceptions - especially the Dragon. However, the rule will generally hold true.
Chris Reid - one little question. You claim the red patches on the Dragon are ramscoops, no reason not to believe you there. However, where on capitalships, other than the Durango class, do red patches of an even somewhat similar nature show up? Checked all the ingame models in the Ship Database, noticed none. All of what seem to be Bussard scoops are simply holes in the side of the ship.