Grumman F9F Panther
Grumman · United States · first flew 1947 · fighter
The Grumman F9F Panther was the US Navy's first successful carrier-based jet fighter and saw extensive combat service during the Korean War.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.3 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Straight-wing early US Navy jet fighter
- Wingtip fuel tanks standard fit
- Nose intake with four 20 mm cannon in chin
Distinguished by its straight mid-mounted wings with prominent wingtip tanks, nose air intake, and compact Grumman build; one of the few early straight-wing US Navy jets.
Specifications
- The Grumman F9F Panther has a length of 11.3 m (37 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.6 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 925 km/h (575 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in the late 1940s, the Panther entered service in 1949 and flew combat missions from 1950 onward, proving reliable in the fighter and ground-attack roles. It was one of the jets flown by future astronaut John Glenn during the conflict.
Variants
The straight-winged Panther was followed by the swept-wing F9F Cougar; Panther variants ran from F9F-2 through F9F-5 with progressively more powerful Pratt & Whitney engines.
Where you'll see it
Served with US Navy and Marine Corps squadrons through the early 1950s; several survive in US museums and as gate guardians.
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