HOME      Grumman F9F Panther

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
 
The Grumman F9F Panther was the corporation's first jet fighter aircraft and the second pure jets to be used by the United States Navy.
 
The concept of the aircraft originated towards the end of World War Two when the Navy asked manufacturers to submit bids on a jet powered fighter that would be deployed from aircraft carriers. The Grumman F9F Panther would be equipped with radar for day and night mission capabilities. 
 
In response, Grumman proposed a four jet engine aircraft with a wing span of 58 feet to accommodate the engines. Jet engines of the time had a minimum amount of thrust and four would have been necessary to provide adequate power to propel the aircraft.
 
However, as jet engine technology improved, Grumman resubmitted the Grumman F9F Panther design with a 38 foot wingspan and a single jet engine.
 
The prototype first flew in November of 1947, had its sea trials in March of 1949 and was deployed in May of 1949.  Later, 120 gallon wing tip fuel tanks would be added to the Grumman F9F Panther to improve its range.
 
The F9F Panther became the primary attack aircraft used by the United States Navy during the Korean War.
 
Although it was primarily used as a ground attack aircraft, the F9F Panther was the first U.S. Navy aircraft to score an air victory in the war. A total of seven victories over Korean aircraft were claimed by Grumman F9F Panther aircraft during the war.
 
Before the Korean War ended Grumman F9F Panther aircraft had flown some 78,000 missions. They were retired from U.S. Navy service in 1958.
 
A total of 1,382 Grumman F9F Panther aircraft of all types were produced.
 
 

Specifications

    Primary Function:
    Crew:
    Engine:
    Thrust:
    Length:
    Wingspan:
    Weight Empty:
    Max. Weight:
    Cannons:
    Ordnance:
    Cruise Speed:
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    Year Deployed:		 fighter/bomber
one
P&W J42
5,700 lbs.
37' 3"
38' 0"
9,990 lbs.
19,500 lbs.
4- 20 mm
2,000 lbs.
480 mph
545 mph
5,140 fpm
44,,600 feet
1,350 miles
11/24/47
1949
 
Radio Control Airplane

 RC F9F Panther from Kit Cutters.
 
Radio Control Airplanes:
 
 
Pictured above is the RC F9F Panther from Kit Cutters. The radio control airplane has both a wing span and a length of 72". Kit Cutters has plans, a short kit or full kit of the RC Airplane. Recommended power for the rc Grumman F9F Panther radio control airplane is a .91 engine turning a 5" fan. Upon completion the RC Airplane should weigh between 15 and 18 lbs.
 
Not pictured is the F9F Panther RC from PST Jets.  The wing span of the radio control airplane is 75".  Fuselage length is 73".  The RC Airplane required a turbine engine producing between 14 and 20 lbs. of thrust.  PST Jets recommends their J600R or J 800R engines for the rc F9F Panther. Dry weight of the radio control airplane is 24 lbs.  
 
RC International has a 1/5 scale F9F Panther rc airplane shown in the first picture below. The RC Airplane has a wing span of 85" and a length of 92.5". Construction of the radio control airplane is all fiberglass. You can power the F9F Panther rc airplane with a Jet Cat P-120, P-160 or Titan engine. The radio control airplane should weigh about 35 lbs.
 
The second picture below is the rc F9F Panther built by Mark Nankivil from an Aeronaut kit. The radio control airplane has a 43" wing span and length. Mark powers his F9F Panther rc airplane with a Kontronics FUN 500-19 motor driving a Schlubeler DS51DIA fan. The radio control airplane weighs 80 oz.
 
The last picture below is of the F9F Panther RC Airplane ARF from Nick Ziroli built by Doc Yates of RC Groups. The radio control airplane has a wing span and a length of 72". Powering the F9F Panther RC Airplane is a J600R turbine. All up weight of the radio control airplane is 21 lbs.
 
If you have built a F9F Panther rc airplane, send us pictures and a description and we will show it off for you here. Do you know of rc F9F Panther radio control airplane plans, a kit or arf that you can recommend? If so, please email us.
 
Radio Control Airplane
 RC F9F Panther from RC International.
 
Radio Control Airplane

 F9F Panther rc from Aeronaut.


Radio Control Airplane
Doc Yates and his F9F Panther rc.