Article 3315 of rec.aviation.military:
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From: jfb@usgp1.ih.att.com (Joe Baugher)
Subject: Grumman F-9 Panther/Cougar (4 of 13)
Message-ID: <CxHHAE.En8@ssbunews.ih.att.com>
Summary: F9F-4 Panther
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Date: Tue, 11 Oct 1994 00:56:38 GMT
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The F9F-4 Panther (and the F9F-5 that was developed in parallel with 
it) differed from the previous F9F-2/F9F-3 in having a 19.5-inch 
longer forward fuselage that made it possible to increase the internal 
fuel capacity from 923 to 1003 gallons.  In addition, the height and 
area of the vertical tail surfaces were increased.  The F9F-4 was 
powered by the uprated Allison J33-A-16, capable of delivering 6250 
pounds of thrust dry and 6950 lb.s.t. with water injection.  

The 99th and 101st production airframes (F9F-2s BuNos 123084 and 
123086) were modified as the XF9F-4 prototype and the static test 
airframe.  123084 flew for the first time on July 5, 1950, powered by 
a 6250 lb.s.t. Allison J33-A-16 turbojet.  

The F9F-4 was equipped with four external store pylons underneath each 
wing.  The three outboard pylons were stressed to carry bombs of up to 
500 pounds in weight, bringing maximum external load to 3465 pounds.  

The J33-A-16 turbojet proved to be unreliable in service, and many 
F9F-4s were delivered to the Navy as J48-powered F9F-5s, and most 
of the others were re-engined with J48-P-6As once they entered service.  
They thus became indistinguishable from F9F-5s.

In early 1954, F9F-4 BuNo 125081 was modified as a test bed for a 
high-lift boundary layer control system.  

Serials of F9F-4 Panther:  

123084 		Grumman XF9F-4 Panther 
123086 		Grumman XF9F-4 Panther 
125081 		Grumman F9F-4 Panther 
125156/125227 	Grumman F9F-4 Panther 
125913/125948 	Grumman F9F-4 Panther 

Specification of the Grumman F9F-4 Panther:  

One Allison J33-A-16 turbojet, rated at 6250 lb.s.t dry and 6950 
lb.s.t. with water injection.  
Performance:  Maximum speed 593 mph at sea level, 547 mph at 35,00 
feet.  Stalling speed 131 mph.  Cruising speed 495 mph.  Initial climb 
rate 5140 feet per minute.  Service ceiling 44,600 feet.  Range 1175 
miles.  
Dimensions:  wingspan 38 feet 0 inches, length 38 feet 10 1/2 inches, 
height 12 feet 4 inches, wing area 250 square feet.  
Weights:  10,042 pounds empty, 15,264 pounds combat, 17,671 pounds 
gross, 21,250 pounds maximum takeoff.  
Internal fuel capacity 1003 US gallons 
Armament: Four 20-mm cannon.  Offensive loads of up to 3465 pounds of 
bombs and rockets could be carried on eight underwing pylons.  

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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