Article 4802 of rec.aviation.military:
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From: jfb@usgp1.ih.att.com (Joe Baugher)
Subject: Grumman F-9 Panther/Cougar (11 of 13)
Message-ID: <CyEx1y.C10@ssbunews.ih.att.com>
Summary: F9F-8P Cougar reconnaissance aircraft 
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Date: Sat, 29 Oct 1994 02:17:58 GMT
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The F9F-8P was an unarmed photographic reconnaissance version of the 
F9F-8 Cougar fighter.  Whereas the shape of the nose of the 
reconnaissance F9F-6P was almost identical to that of the F9F-6 
fighter, the F9F-8P had a completely different nose from the F9F-8.  
The nose of the F9F-8P was substantially larger and longer than that 
of the F9F-8 and had a distinct downward droop.  It had flat sides for 
the camera ports, and housed forward, vertical, and oblique cameras.  
The nose also incorporated provisions for the fitting of a fixed 
inflight refuelling probe.  No armament was carried 

The first F9F-8P flew on February 18, 1955.  Including the prototype, 
a total of 110 F9F-8Ps were delivered between August 1955 and July 
1957.  The F9F-8P was rapidly made obsolete by such supersonic 
reconnaissance aircraft as the Vought F8U-1P Crusader, and was 
destined to have a short service life with carrier-based 
reconnaissance squadrons.  The last F9F-8Ps were phased out of active 
fleet squadron service in February 1960, but some were destined to 
remain with reserve units until the mid-1960s.  

In 1962, the F9F-8P was redesignated RF-9J under the new Defense 
Department Tri-Service designation scheme.  

Serials of Grumman F9F-8P Cougar:

141668/141727		Grumman F9F-8P Cougar
144377/144426		Grumman F9F-8P Cougar


Specification of Grumman F9F-8P Cougar:  

One Pratt & Whitney J48-P-8A turbojet rated at 7250 lb.s.t. dry and 
8500 lb.s.t. with water injection.  
Performance:  Maximum speed 637 mph at 5000 feet.  Cruising speed 508 
mph.  Initial climb rate 4700 feet per minute.  Service ceiling 41,500 
feet.  960 miles normal range.  1045 miles maximum range.  
Internal fuel was 1063 US gallons.  With two 150-gallon drop tanks, 
total fuel load was 1363 US gallons.  
Dimensions:  wingspan 34 feet 6 inches, length 44 feet 9 inches, 
height 12 feet 3 inches, wing area 337 square feet.  
Weights:  12,246 pounds empty, 18,421 pounds loaded, 22,697 pounds 
maximum takeoff.  
Armament:  none 

Sources:

    United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911,  Gordon Swanborough and
    Peter M. Bowers, Naval Institute Press, 1990.

    The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.

    Grumman Aircraft Since 1929, Rene J. Francillon, Naval Institute
    Press, 1989.

    American Combat Planes, 3rd Enlarged Edition, Ray Wagner,
    Doubleday, 1982.


Joe Baugher			  **************************************
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