Grumman F9F Panther

First jet fighter-bomber made by Grumman and operational during the Korean War.

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F 2 Panther
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credit: Robert Sullivan
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The Grumman F9F Panther was manufactured by Grumman as a single-engine straight-wing carrier-based jet fighter loaded with four 20 mm cannons and could be equipped with an extensive variety of air-to-ground munitions. It is one of the first successful carrier-based jet fighters of the United States Navy. It was also the first jet fighter built by Grumman.

Manufacturer:
Grumman
Country:
United States
Manufactured:
1947 to: 1951
ICAO:
F9F
Price:
Avionics:
Engine:
1x Pratt & Whitney J48-P-6A
Jet
Power:
6,250 pound-force
Max Cruise Speed:
545 knots
1,009 Km/h
Approach Speed (Vref):
113 knots
Travel range:
1,100 Nautical Miles
2,037 Kilometers
Fuel Economy:
Service Ceiling:
42,800 feet
Rate of Climb:
6000 feet / minute
30.48metre / second
Take Off Distance:
Landing Distance:
Max Take Off Weight:
8,500 Kg
18,739 lbs
Max Landing Weight:
7,000 Kg
15,432 lbs
Max Payload:
1,100 Kg
2,425 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity:
923 gallon
3,494 litre
Baggage Volume:
Seats - Economy / General:
1 seats
Seats - Business Class:
Seats - First Class:
Cabin Height:
Cabin Width:
Cabin Length:
Exterior Length:
11.83 metre - 38.81 feet
Tail height:
3.7 metre - 12.14 feet
Fuselage Diameter:
1.5 metre - 4.92 feet
Wing Span / Rotor Diameter:
11.58 metre - 37.99 feet
Wing Tips:
No Winglets

The Grumman F9F Panther was the main jet fighter aircraft of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. It was used extensively as a navy jet fighter during the war and flew 78,000 sorties. On November 21, 1947, the aircraft prototype operated by Corky Meyer took to the air for the first time.

Several versions of the Panther were built; the first production variant designated as F9F-2 was a rugged-attack aircraft fitted with a J42 engine. 567 of this version were built. The F9F-3 is powered by an Allison J33 engine and was later redesignated as F-9B. 54 of this version were built. The F9F-4 has a lengthened fuselage and an increased fuel load.

The single-crew F9F-5 Panther has an external length of 11.84 meters, an external height of 2.9 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1.5 meters. It has a tail height of3.7 meters and a wheelbase of 3.5 meters. The wingspan is 11.58 meters and the wing area is 23 square meters. The aircraft has an empty weight of 4,603 kg, a gross weight of 8,492 kg, and a maximum payload of 1,100 kg. The maximum takeoff and landing weights are 8,500 kg and 7,000 kg, respectively. It has a fuel tanks capacity of 923 US gal.

The F9F Panther is powered by a single Pratt and Whitney J48-P-6A engine. It is a turbofan engine with water injection, a single-stage double-sided centrifugal compressor, nine interconnected can combustion chambers, a single-stage axial turbine, and pressure spray oil system. The engine produces a maximum thrust of 6,250 lbf. The aircraft has a maximum speed of 503 knots at 5,000 feet. The cruise speed is 418 knots and the travel range is 1,100 nautical miles. It can fly up to 42,800 feet and can climb at a rate of 5,090 feet per minute. It could also be loaded with four 20 mm cannons.

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