Grumman F9F-2 Panther LCDR R.E. "Dusty" Rhodes, Team Leader, Blue Angels, 1949 (1:48)

The F9F Panther was Grumman Aircraft�s first venture into jets. The US Navy received the first F9F-2s in May 1949 and used them until October 1958. With the speed of the Panther it meant that in Korea it could get to the target faster than the old Corsairs. The greater speed also meant less chance of being shot down. Pilots enjoyed a pressurized cockpit and extra fuel carried in wing tip tanks. The Navy liked the fact the wings folded for storage.

In June 1946 the �Blue Angels� first leader was LCDR Roy �Butch� Voris and they flew 3 Grumman F6F Hellcats. Voris chose �Blue Angels� after seeing an ad for a New York nightclub of the same name. Only two months later the team transitioned to the F8F Bearcat. In 1947 Dusty Rhodes joined the Blue Angels along with a new leader LCDR Robert Clarke. Clarke added a 4th aircraft to the team. On January 9, 1948 Rhodes became the leader until January 11, 1950. During his tenure the Blue Angels moved to its first jet aircraft the Grumman F9F-2 Panther.

Specification for the standard Grumman F9F-2 Panther The Blue Angels version of this aircraft had all weapons and unnecessary equipment removed to lighten the aircraft

Engine:
1 X Pratt & Whitney J42-P-6/P-8 turbojet
Rated at � 5,000 lb.s.t. for takeoff dry
5,950 lb.s.t. for takeoff with water injection

Performance:
Maximum speed � 575 mph at sea level, 545 mph at 22,000 feet, 529 mph at 3,500 feet
Cruising speed � 487 mph
Landing speed - 105 mph
Initial climb rate � 5,140 feet per minute
Service ceiling � 44,600 feet
Normal range � 1,353 miles

Dimensions:
Wingspan - 38 feet 0 inches
Length - 37 feet 5 3/8 inches
Height - 11 feet 4 inches
Wing area - 250 square feet.

Weights:
Empty � 9,303 pounds
Combat - 14,235 pounds
Gross - 16,450 pounds
Take-off - 19,494 pounds maximum

Internal fuel capacity: 923 US gallons

Armament:
4 X 20-mm cannon.
Under-wing loads of up to 2,000 pounds of bombs and rockets could be carried on eight under-wing racks.