Grumman F9F Panther
Technical Information

Background
The Grumman F9F Panther was initially designated the model G-75. In 1945, Grumman designed a jet fighter for the U.S. Navy (USN) for a jet night fighter design competition but lost the competition to the Douglas F3D Skyknight. Regardless, on April 11, 1946 the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer) issued a development contract to Grumman to produce a pair of G-75 prototypes. Soon, the company relied their design was limited and began work on a different single engine fighter designated model G-79 and the Navy agreed to allow them to build three prototypes of this new model powered by the J42. On November 21, 1947 the prototype made its first flight piloted by Corky Meyer and a second prototype flew five days later. During development, the engine was changed to the Pratt & Whitney J48-P-2. This was the first jet aircraft built by Grumman.

Wartime History
Accepted by the U.S. Navy (USN) as F9F Panther and was the Navy jet-powered fighter aircraft to see air-to-air combat in the Korean War.

Argentine Navy
During 1957, the Armada Argentina (Argentine Navy) purchased a total of 28 F9F-2B Panthers and was the only foreign military to operate the type. In December 1958, first flight in Argentina. Used in combat during the 1963 Argentine Navy Revolt. Several rebel-controlled aircraft flew bombing and strafing runs against a column of the Army 8th Tank Regiment which was advancing on the rebelling Punta Indio Naval Air Base with one Panther shot down plus four destroyed and two damaged on the ground. On March 3, 1970 was the last Panther flight in Argentina. The remaining Panthers were retired on June 9, 1971.

Production
1,385 Panthers were built.

Technical Details F9F-5
Crew  One (pilot)
Engine  1 × Pratt & Whitney J48-P-6A turbojet, 6,250 lbf (27.8 kN) thrust
Wingspan  38' / 11.58
Length  38' 10' / 11.84
Height  12' 3" / 3.73m
Maximum Speed  579 mph / 932 km/h at 5,000' / 1,500m
Range  1,300 miles / 2,100 km / 1,100 nmi
Armament  4 × 20mm canons AN/M3 cannons with a total of 760 rounds
Hardpoints  8 × bombs up to 3,465 lb / 1,572 kg or rockets