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 F9F-8P Photo: Robert Deering 6/29/2010 USS Midway Museum San Diego, California |
| A follow-up design to Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation's successful F9F-2/5 Panther, the F9F-6 Cougar bore a striking resemblance to its predecessor (it incorporated an F9F-5 fuselage), but featured a 35 degree swept wing that improved performance. Follow-on versions incorporated a larger fuel capacity to extend range as well as a modified wing and canopy design.
All told, nearly 2,000 production F9F Cougars were produced for the Navy and Marine Corps, serving as in the fighter, attack, photoreconnaissance, and training roles, the latter versions of the aircraft featuring a dual cockpit. The Cougar was also the first swept wing aircraft used by the Blue Angels flight demonstration team, gracing air show skies during 1955-1957. In addition, during 1956 Attack Squadron (VA) 46 flying F9F-8 Cougars from the aircraft carrier Randolph (CVA 15) made the first extended deployment of the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile. The last TF-9J (F9F-8T) Cougars were retired from the training command in 1974. SPECIFICATIONS: Manufacturer: Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation Dimensions: Length: 44 ft., 5 in.; Height: 12 ft., 3 in.; Wingspan: 34 ft.; 6 in. Weights: Empty: 11,866 lb.; Gross: 24,763 lb. Power Plant: One 7,250 lb. static thrust Pratt & Whitney J-48-P-8A turbojet Performance: Maximum Speed: 705 M.P.H.; Service Ceiling: 50,000 ft.; Range: 600 miles Armament: Four 20mm fixed forward-firing cannon, four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, or 2,000 lb. of ordnance Crew: Pilot |
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| Bibliography: National Museum of Naval Aviation |
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