F9F Panther

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The Grumman F9F Panther was the manufacturer's first jet fighter and the US Navy's second. It first flew in 1947. Power was a Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet built under license by Pratt & Whitney as the J42. Since there was insufficient space within the wings and fuselage for fuel for the thirsty jet, permanently mounted wingtip fuel tanks were added.

Multiple versions were produced:

XF9F-2: the first two prototypes
XF9F-3: the third prototype
F9F-2: first production version, J42 powered.
F9F-2B: version fitted with underwing racks for bombs and rockets. All F9F-2's were eventually so modified, and the B designation was dropped.
F9F-2P: unarmed photographic reconnaissance version used in Korea
F9F-3: Allison J33 powered version produced as insurance against the failure of the J42, 54 built. All converted to J42 power later
XF9F-4: Prototype used in the development of the F9F-4.
F9F-4: longer fuselage with greater fuel load, J33 powered. Most re-engined with J42s.
F9F-5: As -4, but Pratt & Whitney J48 (Rolls-Royce Tay built under licence) powered. 616 built.
F9F-5P: unarmed photo-reconnaissance version, 36 built, longer nose.
F9F-5KD: After the the F9F Panther was withdrawn operational service, a number of F9F-5s were converted into unmanned target drone aircraft. Redesignated DF-9E in 1962.

Panthers served with distinction in the Korean War, downing five Mikoyan MiG-15s with no loss despite the MiG's superior performance. The type was the primary Navy jet fighter and ground-attack plane in the Korean conflict.

Panthers were withdrawn from front-line service in 1956, but remained in training roles and with the reserves until 1958.

The only foreign buyer of the Panther was the Argentine Navy, who bought 24 ex-USN aircraft in 1958. The catapults on the then only Argentine carrier, ARA Independencia (V-1), were considered not powerful enough to launch the F9F, so the aircraft were based on land. They saw brief combat during the 1965 border clash between Argentina and Chile, and were taken out of service in 1969 because of lack of spare parts.

A swept-wing derivative of the Panther was later built, after concerns about the Panther's inferiority to its MiG opponents in Korea; this plane was the Grumman F9F Cougar. Image:Blues Support Crew watching Diamond Formation at Show.jpg

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