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| Armada Argentina Escuadra Aeronaval No. 3 ESMA Former Assignments USN VF-837 USMC VMF-311 VMF-311  Argentine Navy 1959 |
Aircraft History Built by Grumman as Model G-79 in Bethpage, NY. On May 14, 1951 delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F9F-2 Panther bureau number 127147. On June 8, 1951 flown to NAS Alameda and several days later assigned to Fighter Squadron 837 (VF-837) "Grand Slammers" to pilot Lt. Donald Van Gordon with code H-403. On June 28, 1951 took off piloted by Lt. Donald Van Gordon for the first time. Converted into F9F-2B with wing racks for bombs and rockets. After all Panthers were modified to this standard, returned to the designation F9F-2. Assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). During May 1952 assigned to Marine Fighter Squadron 115 (VMF-115) until September 1952. On October 2, 1952 assigned to Marine Fighter Squadron 311 (VMF-311) with squadron code WL-8 and operated from Pohang Airfield (K-3) in Korea until March 3, 1953. PARTIAL HISTORY On February 28, 1959 stricken off charge from the Navy with a total of 2,384 hours of flight time. Postwar, sold to Argentina. Assigned to the Armada Argentina (Argentine Navy) with serial number 0455 with aircraft code 3-A-114 with nose number 114. The plane had the Argentinian flag on the fuselage below the cockpit and anchor roundel on thw wings. Operated from Escuadra Aeronaval No. 3 (Naval Air Squadron No. 3) at Punta del Indio. Later, code 3-A-330. On June 9, 1971 retired from service as one of five remaining Panthers. Afterwards moved to Escuela de Suboficiales de Mecánica de la Armada (ESMA or Naval Mechanics School) for use as a training aid. During 1995, Ernesto A. Morales offered to trade a Bell 47D helicopter for a Panther in a deal that was approved to expand the collection of the Argentine Museum of Naval Aviation. The Panther had no instruments, communications, navigational equipment, electrical cables, hydraulics or fuel and incomplete engine J-48-P-4 serial number 401.567. On June 20, 1995 a contract was signed by the National Argentine State—Ministry of Defense – General Staff of the Navy and Morales' company, North American Aircraft in Pearland, TX with a bill of sale. Afterwards, shipped to the United States. On December 21, 1995 registered as N91867 to Morales in Pearland, TX. On January 9, 1996 sold to Clyde E. Barton in Angleton, TX. During 2002 or 2003, moved to California. In October 2004, sold to Aerocrafters in Santa Rosa, CA and placed into storage. No substantial restoration work was undertaken. On August 23, 2013 registration N91867 was canceled. Next, acquired by Flying Heritage Collection (FHC) and shipped to Everett, WA and placed into storage. During 2021, offered for sale by Courtesy Aircraft for an asking price of $100,000. The fuselage has "NAVY" and tail code "3-A-330". It is unclear if the Panther sold or the whereabouts today. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F9F-2 Panther 127147 "127147 (F9F-2B) to Argentine Navy as 0455. Coded 3-A-114. To gate guard at Escuela de Macanica de la Armade, Buenos Aires. To N91867. C of R not issued, canceled Aug 23, 2013. Last noted stored at Santa Rosa as 3-A-330." Fightin' 311 Tomcats Newsletter June 2010 "Todd Shaphren, Everett, WA: "I am a volunteer researcher with the Flying Heritage Collection here in Everett. The museum has an F9F-2 in storage and awaiting restoration. I am trying to put together the history of this aircraft and wonder if you can assist. The aircraft history card indicates that it served with VMF-311 in Korea from 2 October 1952 to 3 March 1953 operating out of Pohang. I would very much like to find a picture of this aircraft and most importantly, identify the pilot. Is there some chance that someone from your group served at that time. I would appreciate all the help you may be able to give. (Note: I went through all my Korean era pictures and have none of WL-8 serial number 127147. This aircraft was with VMF-115 as well May to September 1952. I emailed some Pohang guys and don't know if they helped him out. Anyone remember WL-8 or have a picture" CourtesyAircraft.com - Grumman F9F-2 Panther Project N91867 US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics Number: 127147 Armada Argentina Serial Number: 0455 $100,000 via Wayback Machine September 17, 2021 Contribute
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