Grumman F9F-8T
Grumman F9F-8T (TF-9J) Cougar
Even before the Panther entered service the Navy and Grumman were examining the possibility of creating a swept-wing version of the aircraft. The appearance of the Soviet MiG-15 over Korea spurred on the process and the prototype made its first flight in September 1951. While the Cougar retained the F9F designation of the earlier Panther it was an almost entirely new design bearing only a superficial resemblance to the Panther.
Initially seen as an interim design, the Cougar turned out to be very adaptable and several versions and modifications were made over its lifetime. The two-seat trainer version of the Cougar included a strengthened fuselage and landing gear, longer nose and other internal changes. Ironically, the only version of the Cougar to see combat was the TF-9J trainer. The Marine Corps used several in Vietnam as Forward Air Control aircraft. Eventually nearly 2,000 Cougars of all types were built and some remained is service as late as 1974.
Service History:
Built by Grumman Aircraft, Bethpage, New York and delivered to the U.S. Navy on October 29, 1959.
| Wingspan | 34 ft 6 in. |
Wingspan |
| Length | 44 ft 4 in. |
Length |
| Height | 12 ft 3 in. |
Height |
| Weight | 20,574 lbs (loaded) |
Weight |
| Max. Speed | 630 MPH |
Maximum Speed |
| Service Ceiling | 43,000 ft |
Service Ceiling |
| Range | 600 miles |
Range |
| Engines | Pratt & Whitney J48-P-8A turbojet with 7,250 pounds of thrust |
Engine |
| Crew | 2 |
Crew |
Manufacturer
Grumman
Markings
Training Squadron 10 (VT-10), Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, 1973
Designation
F9F-8T
Serial Number
147397
November 1959 To Naval Air Station Alameda, California.
February 1960 To Utility Squadron 5 (VU-5), Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan.
July 1960 To Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan.
May 1961 To Reconnaissance Squadron 1, (VQ-1), Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan.
May 1962 To Naval Air Station Alameda, California.
July 1962 To Attack Squadron 126 (VA-126), Naval Air Station Miramar, California.
November 1962 Aircraft designation changed to TF-9J.
June 1966 To Training Squadron 25 (VT-25), Naval Auxiliary Air Station Chase, Texas.
August 1967 To Training Squadron 26 (VT-26), Naval Auxiliary Air Station Chase, Texas.
June 1971 To Training Squadron 10 (VT-10), Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.
July 1974 To Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona for storage.
November 1979 Loaned to Pima Air & Space Museum by the National Naval Aviation Museum.