Grumman F9F-2 Panther Lt. Cauble, VF-61 "Jolly Rogers" (1:48)

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series (Jet Powered)
HA7205 - Grumman F9F-2 Panther, VF-61 "Jolly Rogers"
Lt. Lawrence Cauble, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1951
1/48 scale Professionally painted.

Die-cast metal with a minimum of plastic.

All markings pad applied for superb results.

Cockpit slides open.

Pilot figure.

Comes with display stand.

Landing gear is fully retractable and can be displayed up or down.

Wings can fold and unfold.

Extremely sought after by collectors.

Powered by a Rolls-Royce engine the first F9F flew in 1947. These new engines were fuel hungry and with no extra internal space permanent wing-tip tanks were added. These tanks also had the unexpected benefit of increasing the aircraft roll rate. In the Korean War the F9F was the primary USN aircraft for ground-attack and served with distinction. However it was realized that the Panther was inferior to the MiG aircraft so a swept-wing version was developed. The new aircraft retained the F9F designation and was called the Cougar.

VF-61 was established January 1, 1943 as VF-17 �Jolly Rogers�. On November 15, 1946 the JRs were re-designated the VF-5B and on July 28, 1948 they became VF-61. In April 1950 VF-61 traded in the F8F-2 �Bearcat� for the new F9F-2 Panther. From January 10, 1951 to May 18, 1951 VF-61 served on-board the carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. One VF-61 pilot, Lt. Lawrence Cauble already had jet experience flying the P- 59B Airacomet in 1947 and would later become a test pilot. VF-61 was disestablished in 1959.

Specification for the Grumman F9F-2 Panther:

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 8 under-wing racks.