F9f Panther Public DomainF9F Panther Model

With the Panther, Grumman maintained its position into the jet age as a major supplier of Navy carrier fighter aircraft. The Panther never enjoyed the recognition of Grumman’s last piston engine fighter, the F8F Bearcat, as a spectacular performer. However, it did extend Grumman’s reputation for building rugged, effective fighter aircraft.
The F9F series began when development was initiated on the large two-place four-jet XF9F-1 night fighter. Before design work was completed, the XF9F-1 was dropped and the project shifted to the single-place, single-jet XF9F-2 day fighter. The imported Rolls-Royce
Nene jet engines of the two XF9F-2 prototypes were replaced in production F9F-2s by Pratt & Whitney-built J42 Nenes. In the XF9F-3 and production F9F-3s, an Allison J33 replaced the Nene. Only engine installation details differed between the -2 and -3 Panthers.F9f Panther Public Domain
Permanently attached tip-mounted external fuel tanks were the most obvious change added to all Panthers early in the program.
While the first aircraft to see squadron service were the -3s, which VF-51 received in May 1949, the Nene-powered -2 became the sole production version following early deliveries.
An increased thrust version of the Allison J33 led to the -4 with a longer fuselage and increased area vertical tail. The same airframe with the P&W-produced J48 version of the Rolls-Royce Tay engine became the F9F-5. The -5s joined the -2s as the major production
versions. Photo versions, the Navy-modified -2P and Grumman-built -5P, also served in carrier air groups of the early Fifties. A total of 1,385 Panthers were delivered to the Navy. The Panthers became a mainstay of Navy and Marine forces in Korea. They were the
first carrier jets to fly in combat, shooting down two YAK-9s on their first mission in July 1950. Later, in November, LCdr. W. T. Amen, C.O. of VF-111, was the first carrier jet pilot
to shoot down a MiG-15. As the -4 and -5 Panthers replaced the -2s in carrier squadrons, the -2s took over
advanced training, drone/drone control, reserve squadron and other duties, followed in turn by the -4s and -5s as they were replaced by their swept-wing F9F-6 successors. The last Marine combat squadrons to use Panthers kept their -5s until late 1957, and a few drone F9F5KDs remained to be redesignated DF-9Fs under the 1962 DOD redesignations.

Blue Angels F-9 Panther
Blue Angels F9F Panther Model, 18in, Mahogany, Navy, Grumman

Blue Angels F-9 Panther A handcrafted F-9 Panther with Blue Angel markings! Each piece is carved from wood and handpainted to provide a piece you’ll love. 18 inches The Blue Angels is the United States Navy’s flight demonstration squadron which … Read More

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VF-111 Sundowners F-9F Model
VF-111 Sundowners F-9F Panther Model, 18in, Mahogany, Navy, Grumman

VF-111 Sundowners F-9F A beautifully 16 inch solid wood F-9f Panther of the VF-111 Sundowners! Each model is carefully carved by master craftsmen and then meticulously painted to give a perfect piece of art! 3 distinct Navy squadrons have called … Read More

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VF-21 Freelancers F-9f
VF-21 Freelancers F9F Panther Model, 18″, Mahogany,

Aviators, Enjoy a beautifully crafted 16-inch solid wood F-9f Panther of the VF-21 Freelancers!

  • Made from Mahogany
  • US Naval Aviator Owned Business
not rated $299.00 Add to cart
VF-51 Screaming Eagles F-9F
VF-51 Screaming Eagles F-9F Panther Model, 18in, Mahogany, Navy, Grumman

VF-51 Screaming Eagles F-9F A beautifully 16 inch solid wood F-9f Panther of the VF-51 Screaming Eagles! Each model is carefully carved by master craftsmen and then meticulously painted to give a perfect piece of art! Until its disestablishment, VF-51 … Read More

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VMF-232 Red Devils 1953 F9F Panther model
VMF-232 Red Devils 1953 F9F Panther Model, 18in, Mahogany, Navy, Grumman

Fly with the VMF-232 Red Devils in this handcrafted F9F Panther model. Each piece is carved from wood and handpainted to provide a piece you’ll love.

  • 18 inches
  • Made from Mahogany
  • US Naval Aviator Owned Business
not rated $299.00 Add to cart
VT-22 Golden Eagles 1971 TAF-9J Model
VT-22 Golden Eagles 1971 TAF-9J Cougar Model, Mahogany Scale Model

VT-22 Golden Eagles 1971 TAF-9J Model Fly with the VT-22 Golden Eagles 1971 in this hand crafted TAF-9J Model. Each model is carved from wood and hand painted to provide a unique piece that will always be treasured. Length – … Read More

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