Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>F9F>HA7203

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 brightest and most colorful paint schemes usually are found on drones and training aircraft. In stark contrast to the light gull grey over white these trainers were adorned with big bold red stripes to make them more visible. Approaching the end of its military life the F9F-2 123412 was assigned to ATU-206 located at NAS Pensacola Advanced Training Unit. This is where pilots went to hone their skills. Pensacola was selected because of its location that provided mile after mile of open water without obstructions.

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.