page_title: Grumman F9F Panther
section_title: Variants
hierarchical_section_title: Grumman F9F Panther / Variants
caption_attribution_description: English: Two U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-2B Panther of Fighter Squadron 721 (VF-721) "Starbusters" flying over Wonsan and heading for Togwon, Korea, on 15 July 1951. VF-721 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 101 (CVG-101) aboard the aircraft USS Boxer (CV-21) for a deployment to Korea from 2 March to 24 October 1951.
context_page_description: The Grumman F9F Panther is one of the United States Navy's first successful carrier-based jet fighters, as well as Grumman’s first jet fighter. A single-engined, straight-winged day fighter, it was armed with four 20 mm cannons and could carry a wide assortment of air-to-ground munitions.
  The Panther was used extensively by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in the Korean War. It was also the first jet aircraft used by the Blue Angels aerobatics demonstration team, from 1949 through late 1954. The aircraft was exported to Argentina and was the first jet used by the Argentine Naval Aviation.
  Total F9F production was 1,382. The design evolved into the swept wing Grumman F-9 Cougar.
context_section_description: XF9F-2
  Initial prototypes, two built
  F9F-2
  First production version, powered by Pratt & Whitney J42 engine, 567 built.
  F9F-2B
  Version fitted with underwing racks for bombs and rockets. As all F9F-2s were brought up to this standard, the B designation was dropped.
  F9F-2P
  Unarmed photo-reconnaissance version used in Korea, 36 built.
  XF9F-3
  Prototype for the F9F-3, one built.
  F9F-3
  Allison J33 powered version produced as insurance against the failure of the J42, with all being converted to the J42 later; redesignated F-9B in 1962, 54 built.
  XF9F-4
  Prototypes used in the development of the F9F-4, two built.
  F9F-4
  Version with longer fuselage with greater fuel load and powered by J33 engine. Most re-engined with J42s. F9F-4s were the first aircraft to successfully employ pressurized bleed air, tapped from the engine's compressor stages, and blown across the surface of the slot flaps, simulating a higher airspeed across the control surface, and thus achieving a decrease in stalling speed of 9 kn for takeoff and 7 kn on power approach for landing; redesignated F-9C in 1962, 109 ordered, all completed as F9F-5s.
  F9F-5
  Variant of F9F-4, but powered by Pratt & Whitney J48 engine, 616 built. Redesignated F-9D in 1962.
  F9F-5P
  Unarmed photo-reconnaissance version, with longer nose; redesignated RF-9D in 1962, 36 built.
  F9F-5K
  After the F9F Panther was withdrawn operational service, a number of F9F-5s were converted into unmanned target drone aircraft; redesignated QF-9D in 1962.
  F9F-5KD
  Radio controlled drone director conversions for F9F-5K drones; redesignated DF-9E in 1962.
caption: Two F9F-2Bs of VF-721 over Korea.
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