History

The F9F-2 displayed by the Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association at NAS Willow Grove is Bureau #127120. It was delivered from the Grumman factory in May 1951, and was last used for test purposes at the Naval Air Development Center, Johnsville, PA. The DVHAA's "Panther" was stricken from service in June 1962. #127120 was purchased by Philadelphia attorney Arthur Alan Wolk, who had the aircraft restored for static display, donating it to the DVHAA in 1987.

Grumman Aircraft Corporation is legendary among Naval Aviators for the long line of stout, performance proven combat aircraft it has built. Grumman aircraft are typically strong, powerful, pilot friendly, and very effective in combat. The F9F "Panther" was Grumman's first attempt at jet aircraft design. It came at a time of transition for the American aircraft industry, that from propeller driven aircraft to jet technology. The Panther is one of the best known military aircraft of this period and definitely a classic for its time.

The XF9F-2 was rolled out of Grumman's Bethpage, NY plant in November 1947. The first flight was made November 24th, with Grumman test pilot "Corky" Meyer at the controls. This original Panther did not have wing tip fuel tanks, but these were soon added, allowing an extra 240 gallons of fuel to be carried. Surprisingly, the addition of the wing tip fuel tanks also improved aileron response. While detachable, these tanks could not be jettisoned in flight.

Internal fuel load was 923 gallons. This provided a range of about 1100 nautical miles. An interesting side note about the jet fuel of the day was that it was no different than that used by propeller driven aircraft. The F9F was, in fact, fueled by aviation gasoline, as were most of the early jets. The kerosene based fuel used in jets today was not developed until much later on.

The F9F-2 was designed with a pressurized and air conditioned cockpit, an ejection seat, an automatic radio direction finder and a jettisonable bubble canopy. These features were considered advanced technology in the late 1940's aviation industry.

The engine chosen for the new jet was the British designed Rolls Royce "Nene" turbojet. The Nene was soon replaced by an American license built version, the J42-P-6, which produced 5,000 lbs. dry thrust without afterburner. Ironically, the British also sold their Nene engine to the Soviet Union, who in turn, powered their Mig-15 jet fight with it. When the Korean Conflict erupted in 1950, the Mig-15 and F9F-2 fought in aerial combat, powered by what was essentially the same engine.

With a full fuel and weapons load, the Panther's maximum take off weight went up to 19,500 pounds. Top speed was 525 mph. The aircraft's wingspan and length were almost exactly 38 feet both. Armament consisted of four 20 MM cannon, six air to ground rockets, and two 500 lb. Bombs.

Fully armed, the Panther required a catapult launch to get airborne from carriers, and combat missions were 90 minutes long, limited by fuel consumption. The aircraft had no inflight refueling capability, this being another technological advance yet to come in 1950.

US Navy Fighter Squadron 51 (VF-51) became the first squadron to fly the Panther into combat, launching air strikes into Korea from the USS Valley Forge (CV-45). On November 9th, 1950, an F9F flown by Lcdr. Tom Amen, skipper of VF-111, became the first US Navy jet to shoot down an enemy jet. Amen's flight was escorting a group of AD-4 "Sky Raiders" and F4U "Corsairs" engaged in knocking out a number of important rail and highway bridges across the Yalu River when the American group was attacked by six or more Mig-15's. In the ensuing dog fight, Lcdr. Amen managed to turn inside a Mig and opened fire, knocking down the enemy aircraft. The remaining enemy jets fled north into Communist Chinese air space, where the Americans were not permitted to follow. All the raiding Navy aircraft returned to their carrier safely. Lcdr. Amen missed by one day of having the distinction of being the first American jet pilot to shoot down an enemy jet. A US Air Force P-80C claimed that victory the previous day in the same target area.

F9F's went on the deliver more ordnance against enemy ground targets than any other jet aircraft flown during the Korean Conflict. 87% of the US Navy and Marine Corps jet aircraft flown in Korea were Panthers. The 715 F9F's flown in Korea flew a total of 78,000 sorties, averaging about 110 missions apiece. One F9F set a record for the greatest tonnage of delivered ordnance by a single aircraft in the war. This particular aircraft delivered over 400,000 lb. of bombs, fired over 100,000 rounds, and wore out no less than 16 guns in combat.

The F9F-2 went on the become the US Navy's "Blue Angel" demonstration team's first jet. Later versions of the F9F received a swept wing. The resulting superior performing aircraft was renamed the "Cougar". F9F series production ended in 1958 with the F9F-8T jet trainer. The last F9F's in service ended their days as drone targets in the 1970's.

Aircraft Specific Links:

• Cavanaugh Flight Museum's F9F-2   (last flying example)
• Joe Baugher's report on the F9F-2
• Museum of Naval Aviation's F9F-2
• Aviation History.com F9F-2 report