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F9F Panther

Boise Bee P-51C Mustang
The Grumman F9F Panther in 1951 Blue Angels Diamond formationGrumman F9F Panther paint job that the museum will replicatePanther jets from VF-51

Grumman F9F Panther

The F9F-2 Panther was Grumman Manufacturing’s first jet fighter, first used in 1949 by the Navy’s Fighter Squadron (VF) 51. It first saw combat on July 3, 1950 flying strikes from the USS Valley Forge. During the Korean War, it was used in strikes by both Navy and Marine squadrons and flew 78,000 sorties. A total of 1,382 F9Fs were built before evolving into the Grumman F-9 Cougar.

The F9F was notably flown by future astronauts Neil Armstrong and John Glenn and by Boston Red Sox all-star Ted Williams. They were withdrawn from front-line service in 1956, and from Reserve service in 1958.

The Panther was the first jet aircraft used by the Navy’s Blue Angels from 1950 to 1954.

Grumman F9F Panther Specifications

  • Built:
    Original construction 1946, Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp, USA
  • Engine:
    Pratt & Whitney J48-P-6 turbojet engine
    5,000lbf with water injection
  • Armament:
    4 x 20mm M3 cannons
    6 x 5″ air-to-surface HE rockets underwing
    2,000lb of bombs
  • Length: 37’5″
  • Height: 11’4″
  • Wingspan: 38′
  • Empty Weight: 9,303 lbs
  • Max Weight: 19,494 lbs
  • Range: 1,353 miles
  • Service Ceiling: 44,600 ft
  • Max Speed: 575 mph
Grumman F9F Panther side, front and top illustrations