The F9F Panther was a jet fighter aircraft which was developed by Grumman between 1945 and 1947. It was carrier-based and had straight, folding wings. The prototype, the XF9F-2, piloted by test pilot Corky Meyer, first flew on November 24, 1947. The Panther was extensively used by the US Navy during the Korean War and scored the first air-to-air kill by the US Navy in the war, the downing of a North Korean Yakovlev Yak-9 fighter. Approximately 1,380 units were manufactured by Grumman. Several variants were exported to Argentina.
The Grumman F9F Panther proved to be very resistant to air-to-air enemy fire. Panthers were retired from front-line service in 1956, but remained in training roles and with Reserve units until 1958, some continuing to serve in small numbers into the 1960s. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and John Glenn flew the F9F during the war.
Specifications
Engine: one Pratt & Whitney J42-P-6/P-8 turbojet.
Maximum speed: 575 mph (925 km/h).
Range: 1,300 mi (2,100 km).
Service ceiling: 44,600 ft (13,600 m).
Length: 37 ft 5 in (11.3 m).
Wingspan: 38 ft 0 in (11.6 m).
Crew: one
Weapons: four 20 mm (0.79 in) M2 cannons; six 5 in (127 mm) rockets on underwing hardpoints; 2,000 lb (907 kg) of bombs.
Grumman F9F Panther (Video)
