Grumman F9F Panther. A photo. Characteristics. 

USA

A type: Single-engine jet carrier-based fighter-bomber and fotorazvedchik

Crew: One pilot

The F9F aircraft, the first Grumman jet fighter, was originally designed for the installation of four small turbojets with an 19XX axial compressor (J30) from Westinghouse, identical to those planned for the predecessor of the AF-2 aircraft, the XTB3F-1. Nevertheless, the US Navy tracked the characteristics of the FIhh engine of the Rolls-Royce company, which was being developed in the UK, and managed to obtain two copies delivered by sea to the Naval Aviation Center in Philadelphia for bench tests. The characteristics of the engine were so high that it was soon delivered by Pratt-Whitney to the licensed production under the designation J42.

The first prototype aircraft XF9F-1 «Panther» (Panther) using one of the English "import" engine to perform flight tests in 1947-1948 years. The aircraft had a conventional design with straight wings and excellent handling characteristics at low speed, especially important for the operation of the aircraft on aircraft carriers. The first aircraft 567 F9F-2 hit the fleet in May 1949 years. The first based on the aircraft carrier jet aircraft joined the battle in Korea in August 6 1950 years. During this conflict, the plane "Panther" is made in the ranks of the parts of the Navy and Marine Corps almost half assault tasks.

Last modification of aircraft F9F-5 different longer fuselage, higher keel, more powerful engine 348 and a large horizontal velocity, but for this problem properly and not taken until the end of 1951 years airplane with swept wings F9F-6 «Cougar» (Cougar ).The original plane of Panther with straight wing was also popular platform for photo-reconnaissance: about 100 761 constructed of aircraft F9F-5 have been converted into F9F-5P. Aircraft "Panther" had disappeared from the Navy at the end of 1950-ies, although the aircraft "Cougar" flew another decade.

Basic data

dimensions:

• Length: 11,4 m
• Wingspan: 11,58 m
• Height: 3,47 m

The weight:

• BLANK: 4990 kg
• Maximum take-off: 8840 kg

Aircraft performance characteristics:

• Maximum speed: 849 km / h
• Flight range: 2164 km with additional fuel on the external load

Power point: turbojet 342- 2 or -6 companies "Pratt & Whitney"

Power: 22,26 kN thrust

Date of first flight:

• November 24 1947 years

Surviving airworthiness modifications: F9F-2B and F9F-3