Satan's Kittens\Aircraft: ...

Grumman F9F Panther

Crew:		one
Length:		38 ft	(11.58 m)
Height:		12 ft 3 in	(3.73 m)
Wing span:	open: folded:	38 ft 23 ft 5 in	(11.58 m) (7.14 m)
Wing area:		250 sq ft	(23.23 m²)
Weights:		10,147 lbs 15,359 lbs	(4 612 kg) (6 981 kg)
Engine:		Pratt and Whitney J48-P-6
Performance:	Combat radius: Cruising speed:	420 nautical miles 418 nautical mph	(777.84 km) (774.14 kph)
Ordnance:	guns: bombs: rockets:	four 20 mm M2 canon six 5 in rockets 2,000 lb total
Used from:	F-9F-2B F-9F-6	November 1951 September 1953

The Panther never enjoyed the recognition of Grumman's last piston engine fighter, the F8F Bearcat, as a spectacular performer. However, it did extend Grumman's reputation for building rugged, effective fighter aircraft.

The Panthers became a mainstay of Navy and Marine forces in Korea. They were the first carrier jets to fly in combat, shooting down two YAK-9s on their first mission in July 1950. Later, in November, LCdr. W. T. Amen, C.O. of VF-111, was the first carrier jet pilot to shoot down a MiG-15.

The US Navy display team, the Blue Angles had just transitioned to Panthers when the Korean war broke out. Flying the F9F-2B, they joined VF-191 and were deployed aboard the USS Princeton (CV-37) to join Task Force 77. During this deployment, two F9F-2B Panthers of VF-191, loaded with four 250- and two 100-pound general purpose bombs attacked a railroad bridge near Songjin. They became the first Navy jet fighters to be used in a bombing role. To prevent the Communist forces rebuilding the bridges, constant back-toback sorties were flown. During one of the final attacks on the 8^th of March 1951, LCDR Johnny Magda, leader of the Blue Angels, and a WW II ace, was shot down and killed.

After Korea, CVG-19 flying the -6 Panther, joined the USS Oriskany (CV-34) for three deployments over between September 1953 and June 1956.