The F9F, produced by Grumman and named the Panther, was the corporation's first jet fighter and the second pure jet to be used by the United States Navy.
The concept of the F9F 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 new aircraft would be equipped with radar for day and night mission capabilities.
In response, Grumman proposed a four jet engine airplane with a wingspan 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.
However, as jet engine technology improved, Grumman resubmitted the design as the F9f
with a 38 foot wingspan and a single jet engine.
The prototype F9F 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 improve its range.
The F9F made the first ever night landing on a U.S. aircraft carrier on Feb. 1, 1950.
It became the primary attack aircraft used by the United States Navy during the Korean War.
Although it was primarily used for ground attack, the F9F was the first U.S. Navy aircraft to score an air victory in the war. F9F aircraft
claimed a total of seven victories over Korean aircraft during the war.
Before the Korean War ended F9F Panther aircraft had flown some 78,000 missions. They were retired from U.S. Navy service in 1958.
A total of
1,382 F9F aircraft of all types were produced.
Grumman produced a swept wing variant of the F9F. It
was designated the F9F Cougar.
Jon Barnes and his NitroPlanes rc F9F.
The picture right above is of Jon Barnes and his rc F9F for sale at NitroPlanes. It has a 41" wingspan and 39" length,
includes retracts, and 70 mm EDF. Add the motor of your choice. Weight, ready to fly, is around 3 lbs. It is available in a variety of color schemes.
Pictured first below is the rc F9F for sale by NitroPlanes. Its length is 40" and
wingspan is 34 1/2". Weight is around 36 oz. Retracts are included. You need a motor and from 68 mm to 70 mm fan unit.
Pictured second below is the rc F9F kit for sale from Kit Cutters. It is from Nick Ziroli Plans. Both wingspan and
length are 72". Power can come from a .91 engine turning a 5" fan. Upon completion it should weigh between 15 and 18 lbs.
RC International has a rc F9F for sale shown in the third picture below. It has a wingspan of
85" and a length of 92.5". Construction is all fiberglass. You can power it with a Jet Cat P-120, P-160 or Titan
engine. It should weigh about 35 lbs.
The fourth picture below is the rc F9F built by Mark Nankivil from an Aeronaut kit. It has a 43" wingspan and length. Mark powers
it with a Kontronics FUN 500-19 motor driving a Schlubeler DS51DIA fan. It weighs 80 oz.
The last picture below is of the rc F9F for sale from Nick Ziroli built by Doc Yates
of RC Groups. It has a wingspan and a length of 72". Power is a J600R turbine. Weight is about 21 lbs.
If you know of a rc F9F, tell us about it and we will post it here. Email us.
The rc F9F from NitroPlanes.
A rc F9F from Kit Cutters.
A rc F9F from RC International.
The rc F9F from Aeronaut.
Doc Yates and his rc F9F.
Ducted Fans.com has a rc F9F for sale. Its length and wingspan are 43", with a weight of about 4 3/4 lbs. It needs a motor and EDF.
Mantan Wholesale Co., Hong Kong has a rc F9F for sale. Its wingspan is 72" and it is 71" long with a
weight of around 18 lbs. Power can come from an engine turning a 5" ducted fan, or a 14 lb. thrust turbine engine.
Starmax Technology Industry Ltd., China has a rc F9F for sale. It is a foamy with a 30" wingspan and
31.5" length. Included is a motor, controller, and 64 mm fan unit.The rc F9F is also available as a RTF rc model airplane.
Amax Industrial Group China Co., Ltd., China has a rc F9F for sale with a 30" wingspan. Weight is around 18 oz.
D.H. Gates.com, China has a rc F9F for sale that has a 41" wingspan and is 39" long. Weight is around 3 lbs. It needs a motor and EDF.
John Barnes posted a video of his rc F9F at Vimeo.
Not pictured is the rc F9F for sale from PST Jets. The wingspan
is 75". Fuselage length is 73". A turbine engine is required that has between 14 and 20 lbs. of thrust.
PST Jets recommends their J600R or J 800R engines. Dry weight is around 24 lbs.
Herb of RC Groups posted pictures, a video and description of a rc F9F.
John Barnes of RC Groups wrote an article about the rc F9F.
Michael Heer of RC Groups wrote all about the rc F9F.
Bajora of RC Groups talks about his new rc F9F.
Thorsten of RC Groups posted a picture and a link for a rc F9F video.
At Wattflyer RC Grasshopper started a discussion about the rc F9F.
At Wattflyer RC gotta fly was looking for a rc F9F.
At RC Universe batchelc wrote an article about the rc F9F.
RC Man of RC Universe was looking for information about rc F9F paint schemes.
At RC Universe drypipe had questions about the rc F9F for sale from different companies.
Grumman F9F Panther
