Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>F9F>HA7202

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

The F9F-2P aerial reconnaissance version of the Panther had the 4 x 20mm nose guns replaced with cameras leaving them defenseless. Wearing white letters PP on the tail and wings VC-61, “Eyes of the Fleet” were assigned this task during the Korean Conflict. VC-61 flew over enemy territory, took pictures and returned them to be analyzed. Armed aircraft would deploy to destroy the targets and once more VC-61 Panthers would fly over the target taking pictures so the extent of damage could be determined. VC-61 lost 4 pilots while performing their duty.

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.