Grumman F9F Panther

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

Overview

Grumman United States ICAO: F9F 1947–1951 Active

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.

Live Fleet Activity (F9F)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
1 × Pratt & Whitney J48-P-6A
Engine type
Jet
Thrust
6,250 lbf · 28 kN
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
1
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
38 ft 10 in  ·  11.83 m
Tail height
12 ft 2 in  ·  3.70 m
Fuselage diameter
4 ft 11 in  ·  1.50 m
Wing span
38 ft 0 in  ·  11.58 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
18,700 lb  ·  8,500 kg
Max landing weight
15,400 lb  ·  7,000 kg
Max payload
2,450 lb  ·  1,100 kg
Fuel capacity
920 gal · 3,500 L · 2,800 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
545 kt  ·  627 mph  ·  1,009 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
113 kt  ·  130 mph  ·  209 km/h
Range
1,100 nm  ·  1,270 mi  ·  2,040 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
42,800 ft  ·  13,000 m
Rate of climb
6,000 ft/min  ·  30 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-3 Panther operated by the Naval Air Test Center.

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Operational Context

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.