Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>F9F>HA7201

General Background

The F9F Panther entered service in 1949. It was the first Grumman jet fighter, first Carrier-Borne Navy jet fighter in combat, first USN jet to shoot down an enemy airplane, first jet aircraft used by the Blue Angels. A total of 1,382 F9Fs were made. VF-781 was the first squadron to volunteer for combat in Korea and were 100% volunteers earning them the name “Pacemakers”. The F9F flew 78,000 sorties with VF-781 flying 2,721 of them without a single loss of life. The Panther was removed from front-line service in 1956.

The Aircraft

CV/CVA 31 USS Bon Homme Richard, affectionately known as Bonnie Dick was an Essex Class Aircraft Carrier launched Apr. 1944 commissioned Nov 1944. She saw action in WWII where she earned 18 Battle Stars, Korea and was the first ship to deploy 6 times to Vietnam as well as being the first Ace aircraft carrier there. Stricken for disposal in September 1989, sold for scrap in 1992. On July 11 1992 there was one last farewell when former crew and others were allowed to tour the run-down hulk prior to it going to the cutting torch.

Specifications :

Engine:	1 X Pratt & Whitney J42-P-6/P-8 turbojet
	Rated at – 5,000 lb.s.t. for takeoff dry
	5,950 lb.s.t. for takeoff with water injection
Performance:	Maximum speed – 575 mph at sea level, 545 mph at 22,000 feet, 529 mph at 3,500 feet
	Cruising speed – 487 mph
	Landing speed - 105 mph
	Initial climb rate – 5,140 feet per minute
	Service ceiling – 44,600 feet
	Normal range – 1,353 miles
Dimensions:	Wingspan - 35 feet 3 inches
	Length - 37 feet 3 inches
	Height - 11 feet 6 inches
	Wing area - 250 square feet.
Weights:	Empty – 9,303 pounds
	Combat - 14,235 pounds
	Gross - 16,450 pounds
	Take-off - 19,494 pounds maximum
Internal fuel capacity:	923 US gallons
Armament:	4 X 20-mm cannon.
	Under-wing loads of up to 2,000 pounds of bombs
	and rockets could be carried on eight under-wing racks.