Grumman F9F Panther

The Grumman F9F Panther was the first jet fighter aircraft deployed by the United States Navy. Manufactured by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, it served as the primary jet fighter and ground-attack aircraft for the U.S. Navy during the Korean War era.

The F9F Panther entered service in 1949 and remained active until 1958. The aircraft typically had a crew of one pilot and was armed with four 20mm cannons in the nose. Additional hardpoints under the wings could carry up to 2,000 pounds of bombs or rockets, making it versatile for air-to-air and ground attack missions. The Panther was powered by a Pratt & Whitney J42 turbojet engine, giving it a maximum speed of approximately 575 mph and an operational range of about 1,300 miles.

Naval aviators flew the F9F Panther extensively during the Korean War. Panthers flew over 78,000 sorties during the conflict, primarily focusing on close air support missions for ground troops. Navy and Marine Corps Panther pilots achieved notable success against enemy aircraft, including several victories against Soviet-built MiG-15 jets despite the Panther's performance disadvantages compared to the swept-wing MiG.

The F9F Panther was succeeded by its swept-wing variant, the F9F Cougar. During his career, future astronaut John Glenn flew the F9F Panther on 63 ground-support missions.