Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>F9F>HA7208

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

Two Grumman F9F Panthers from VF-153 suffered AA fire damage. One Panther wore a natural metal finish and had its tail section destroyed while 126652 wore a glossy sea blue scheme and had its forward section destroyed so it was decide to mate the good sections from each aircraft to produce one airworthy Panther, 126652 the “Blue Tail Fly”. The unique aircraft flew 12 missions in this configuration before being sent for a complete rebuild returning to service with VF-63 and later VMF-115, VMF-311, VMA-224 and in 1958 placed in storage.

Specifications :

Crew:	1
Performance:	Engine – (1) Pratt & Whitney J48-P-4/P-6A turbojet @ 6,250 lb.s.t.
	Internal fuel capacity - 1,003 US gallons
	Maximum speed - 604 mph @ sea level, 579 mph @ 5,000 ft, 543 mph @ 3,500 ft
	Cruising speed - 481 mph
	Stalling speed - 132 mph
	Initial climb rate - 5,090 fpm
	Service ceiling - 42,800 ft.
	Range - 1,300 miles.
Dimensions:	Wingspan - 38 ft 0 in
	Length - 38 ft 10 1/2 in
	Height - 12 ft 4 in
	Wing area - 250 sq ft
Weights:	Empty - 10,147 lbs
	Gross - 17,766 lbs
	Maximum takeoff - 18,721 lbs
Armament:	(4) 20-mm cannon in the nose
	(8) Under wing hard points could accommodate up to 3,465 lbs. of bombs and rockets