Grumman F9F "Panther"
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Aeronca Model 7 Champion / L-16


Nick Mazzocca, e-mail, 05.02.2024 20:46

Was Ted as good in the air as he was at home plate


Nick Mazzocca, e-mail, 05.02.2024 20:45

Was Ted as good in the air as he was at home plate


Wayne Lowery, e-mail, 08.05.2017 05:28

TF9J was my first aircraft I worked on as a ADJ3 in VT-23 at NAS Kingsville.


Kenneth Pipkin, e-mail, 11.06.2016 04:49

Flew the F-9 at Kingsville in 1968. I have fond memories of that plane.


ROBERT FALTER, e-mail, 21.12.2014 02:35

DID THE BLUE ANGLES USE THIS PLANE


Bill Smith, e-mail, 10.01.2013 22:21

I flew the Panther from NAAS Chase Field in 1956-57. A great bird... had some great dog fights... I remember using it in a gunnery pattern. We worked so hard and so long... out bound leg, cross leg, then inbound leg all over water.... By the time I had finished my last pitch off the target I was sick as a dog.... couldn't be embarassed by pukin; so I flew staight and level all the way back to base. Great bird. Fun to fly.


C. TURNER, e-mail, 29.11.2012 00:59

Nicest lines of any jet a/c ever--bar none. Never flew it--only a civilian pilot with a couple thousand hours light aircraft; but enough to know the wing looks like a real forgiving profile--especially with the droop snoot or leading edge slat--must almost walk to a stall! What a lovely airplane. Too bad it was so underpowered at first--oh well, c'est la vie. I could only wish--


Bill Oikle, e-mail, 12.07.2012 10:12

Isnt the F9F th plane Ted Williams of the Red Sox flew. I saw pictures of one plane he flew that had most of its tail shot away. He also flew F4u's in WW2. Both wars as a Marine


Granpa, e-mail, 01.03.2012 19:28

Can anyone tell me:
1. When the Panther was removed from the active duty fleet. I assume it was replaced by the Cougar.
2. Did any staightwings, Panthers serve in Viet Nam in any capacity including recon.

Thanks


Ray Altmann, e-mail, 13.10.2011 13:31

Does anyone know who supplied the brake systems for the F9F during the early 1950s. We need info to help a Vet. Thanks for you help.


Alec Moore, e-mail, 20.08.2011 23:06

Fell in love with this aircraft as a kid, in the movie 'The Bridges at Toko-Ri', just watched it again, still impressive!


soccerman, 20.06.2011 14:13

Until a few years ago this was an airworthy aircraft and now will be restored to its original configuration. The USS Saratoga Museum is always looking for information, volunteers and items relating to this historic aircraft.


Kirb Callam, e-mail, 04.05.2011 16:13

May and June, 1957, Sherman Field, Pensacola..
With the great Captain "Loc" Lynch.

The best of times.


jack, e-mail, 02.05.2011 23:13

On 18 Nov.1952,The F9F-5s from VF-781, flying from the USS Oriskany,Engaged 7 Russian Mig 15s approaching Task force 77 during the Korean war.These Russian Migs Attacted our combat air patrol sent up to protect our ship.For some reason or another 3 of our 4 panthers left Lt Royce Williams to tangle with 7 enemy aircraft.He got 3 confirmed kills before being hit with a 37mm cannon.He brought his F9F back aboard with only partial controls Lt.Flight leader,Lt.Elwood, had a fuel pump warning light come on and was ordered by C.I.C.to return over Oriskany,with his wingman.Ltjg Middleton.Lt. Williams Wingman,Ltjg Rowland,followed,Williams 1st hit down to confirm his kill.His guns and gun camera were jammed,leaving williams alone with 6 Migs.When we returned to Yokuska,Japan,he was ordered to report to Admiral Briscoe,where he was informed that he got at least 3 of the Migs.The NSA ,aboard a cruiser off Vladivostok monitored all communications from takeoff and landing of the enemy aircraft.They also had the names of 4 Russian pilots who didn't return.As far as I know,this the only engagement with Soviet aircraft during the Korean War.The F9F5 was an excellent aircraft.Williams brought his F9 back with only partial elevator and aileron control.I was there


William K. Cunningham, e-mail, 29.04.2011 22:35

After getting my wings in September 1954, I joined my first squadron, VMJ-3, in Miami FL. We flew the F9F-5P and later the squadron moved to El Toro. I'll always have soft spot for the Panther. Would love to hear from anyone else who was in that squadron during that time frame.


uncle-mac, e-mail, 11.02.2011 21:57

Flew the F9F-5KD at Barbers Pt, GMGRU-1 First ever control reversal! surprise! The F9 was the practice drone for the REG-1


Leroy McVay, e-mail, 12.01.2011 05:54

1953, North Island, San Diego. Marine F9F lost hydrulics, no problem have 3 air bottles. Bottle for gear worked, Thank God! Flaps only went part way. Pilot could see there was water at each end of runway 29. Blew brakes bottle and did not get full brakes. Piolt didn't know there was a sand trap to stop him. I got on the truck for work party for crash crew. My Chief told me to trigger dive brakes to open so we could bleed off what air there was on the breaks. As I looked in cockpit I saw the seat cushion was wet. Turned and looked at pilot, crouch of flight suit was VERY wet. He'd peeded his pants on landing with no breaks! We milked that joke for a month every time a Marine plane came in; "Sir, is it true they train you Marine pilots to pee your pants when you land?" Then we'd tell them the story. One piolet said' "One pee, two land."


Elmer (Al) Mingle, e-mail, 22.12.2010 02:19

AE2,iT WAS THE frist jet I work on at cecil feild just out of AE SCHOOL @ VA36,IN 1956. LOVED IT.


Jerry Pizzo, e-mail, 23.11.2010 06:36

Flew the -5 as a student at NAS Kingsville in 1956-57. Got my wings there in March 1957...


Bill Diebels, Sr., e-mail, 22.11.2010 21:22

We flew the F9F(Panther) for a short time at in VMF334 at MCAS Cherry Point before switching to the FJ2 (Fury). I was always amused by the ordinary string attached to the Panthers nose that streamed back in flight over a line on top of the nose cowling. It was low tech but a highly effective way to monitor if the a/c was flying even the slightest slip.


Rolf Noll, e-mail, 02.11.2010 20:17

Flew the "Duece" in early 1955 as a Navcad at NAS Corpus. Remembered it as easy and fun to fly. Went thru the VA syllabus which meant less air to air gunnery and some air to ground hops.


Howard Nickerson, e-mail, 25.10.2010 20:25

Flew the F9F-2 as a student Naval Aviator in ATU-206 at Forest Sherman Field in 1958.


William (Bill) Metcalfe, e-mail, 22.08.2010 04:25

Stationed at MCAS El Tora and manuvered at El Centro then served as structural mechanic with VMF-223 out of Hawaii and made cruise on the Essex in 1953-1954.


bill bearchell, e-mail, 11.08.2010 04:54

I flew out of El Toro in the late 50s with VMA 224. Great airplane.


bill bearchell, e-mail, 11.08.2010 04:53

I flew out of El Toro in the late 50s with MA 224. Great airplne.


Fred Wicknick, e-mail, 12.01.2010 00:06

I flew the F9F-5 out of MCAS El Toro in Southern California from June 1955 to June 1956 with VMF/A - 323 - the "Death Rattlers". The squadron was in training and had many pilots and few planes. We flew air to air gunnery practice over San Clemente Island and air to ground gunnery practice in the desert out of MCAAS El Centro. This was a great plane to fly. We would take off in divisions - a formation of four aircraft all rolling down the runway together. With slight adjusment of the power control we could maintain our position both on the ground and in the air.

Often we would climb out over the desert of Southern California and tangle with the Air Force planes out of their several bases. These mock dog fights would often find dozens of aircraft dodging and weaving in the same airspace. Things would happen so quickly that it was very difficult for a wingman to stay with his leader. It was not possible to keep tract of all the planes in your part of the sky. But the F9F-5 would do anytning you wanted except to match the speed of the much faster Air Force planes.

But what an advernture for a young man that never considered the danger involved. It was pure fun.


Patrick K. Morrison, e-mail, 16.04.2009 04:00

Correction to information previously provided. He was stationed on the Essex cv9 in 1951 not 48-49. He was stationed on Patron squadron 1,2,3 in 48&49.
Sorry for the incorrect info.


Patrick K. Morrison, e-mail, 16.04.2009 04:00

Correction to information previously provided. He was stationed on the Essex cv9 in 1951 not 48-49. He was stationed on Patron squadron 1,2,3 in 48&49.
Sorry for the incorrect info.


Patrick K. Morrison, e-mail, 16.04.2009 02:27

My step father was origionaly on the Essex (CV-9)in 1948-49. His cruise book from when he was based on it states that his carrier was the first to have the F9F (Panther) and the F2H (Banshee) which was a twin jet. I will grill him a little more for some old stories. He was on the fuel crew on deck. Had to be a site to see.


Richard A. Picard, e-mail, 06.05.2008 20:31

I have worked on many aircraft and enjoyed the history and technology especially with Grumman Aircraft. My latest adventure is the restoration of a privately owned F9F-2 by the USS Saratoga Museum at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Until a few years ago this was an airworthy aircraft and now will be restored to its original configuration. The USS Saratoga Museum is always looking for information, volunteers and items relating to this historic aircraft.


Bill Paulson, e-mail, 22.04.2008 05:34

Have always liked the color of this aircraft and would like to have specs, if possible, for the paint so I can paint a "toy" {older Corvette} some day.




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