GRUMMAN F9F 2 PANTHER

GRUMMAN

F9F-2 PANTHER

127147

Used

WA

PROJECT! One of the United States Navy's first successful carrier-based jet fighters, as well as Grumman’s first jet fighter!

The Panther it was transferred to VF-837 (Grand Slammers) after the unit had deployed to the west coast starting 1 April 1951. The Panther was accepted at Bethpage on 14 May 1951 and flown to NAS Alameda on 8 June 1951. In a matter of days, the aircraft was transferred to VF-837. The Panther was assigned to Lt. Donald Van Gordon (later LCDR), a World War II carrier pilot, who was in the post-war reserves. At the time of his return to active duty, Van Gordon had over 525 hours in SBDs, over 240 hours in F6Fs, and over 340 hours in F4Us (more than 16,000 hours of flying time in all). His aircraft was given the code letters H/403—as Squadron Operations Officer, it would have been customary to receive a low number. Van Gordon flew the Panther for the first time on 28 June 1951. VF-837 and another all jet squadron, VF-831 (coded with H/300s), were to be part of Carrier Air Group 15 (CAG-15) aboard the USS Antietam (CV-36). Assuming that VF-837 trained with VF-831 on the west coast, the Panther would have flown Field Carrier Landing Practice at Naval Auxiliary Field Crows Landing in the early part of July followed by live firing exercises at Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) El Centro in the latter part of the month. Van Gordon flew 127147 four times in July (the most of any month while he had the aircraft), although a fuel contamination issue sidelined the Panthers during the final week of practice at El Centro. Next, it was back north to Alameda for more carrier landing practice before all Panthers were loaded on the Antietam on 18 August 1951 for a practice cruise to San Diego. The Antietam returned to the Bay Area (Hunter’s Point Naval Shipyard) were some of the Panthers were repaired and/or replaced due to deck landing accidents during the cruise south. On 8 September 1951, the Antietam with CAG-15 sailed for Pearl Harbor on the first leg of the deployment to Korea. The stay at Pearl lasted from 12 to 26 September 1951 after which the Antietam reached Yokosuka, Japan on 4 October. The Panther’s combat history began when the Antietam left Japan on 11 October 1951 and joined Carrier Task Force 77 (CTF 77) off the east coast of Korea on 15 October. VF-837 included 16 Panthers and 22 pilots and was commanded by LCDR R.H. Kenton. CONTINUED... For Additional info/ History, Copy and Paste Link Below: http://courtesyaircraft.com/aircraft/n91867-grumman-f9f-2-panther-project/

The descriptions and photos are meant to give a broad overview of the material being offered. The condition and quantities are not guaranteed. Buyers are urged to make their own evaluation of the projects and parts offered. Aircraft project located in WA. Contact Courtesy Aircraft to Schedule a Showing today! SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION UPON INSPECTION