FREE UK DELIVERY INCLUDED

N119 - Grumman F9F Panther

£16.00
(Approx $19.58 or €18.32)

Quantity


Ref: 15650
Author: Kev Darling
Pages: 52

FREE UK DELIVERY

International delivery charges calculated at checkout.

Add this item to your wishlist


Grumman F9F Panther

By Kev Darling

When the US Navy decided to enter the jet age it was no surprise that it turned to Grumman for its first carrier borne jet fighter bomber with a recon option. The first design produced by the company was a mighty beast, more akin to a bomber than a fighter. Unfortunately American jet engine development was concentrating mainly on the turbojet, a slow process as little was really known about manufacturing such a powerplant. Back to the drawing board and Grumman designed a small straight winged single engined machine that would be powered by a centrifugal engine. However, America was going through an 'American stuff only' period therefore an overseas powerplant was put of the question, or was it?

The problem would be solved by having the Rolls Royce Nene license manufactured by Pratt & Whitney as the J42. As insurance the Allison J33 was selected to power one batch of aircraft although all were converted to the J42 later. The resulting aircraft would be designated the F9F Panther and would enter squadron service at a fairly steady pace although this quickened once the United States found itself embroiled in the Korean War. The Panther proved itself to be a tough bird although there was the odd mix 'n' match that resulted in a blue tailed fly! The remaining Panthers would finally leave USN service in the early 1960s. The only overseas operator of the type was Argentina who also used them as carrier aircraft. This book is written by Kev Darling and is superbly illustrated by Richard J. Caruana.

You may also like...

German Fighters of the Great War - Ronny Bar Profiles

£11.99

Secret Projects of the Luftwaffe - Limited Edition

£11.99

Secret Projects of the Luftwaffe

£11.99

US Supersonic Bomber Projects 2

£9.99

Air National Guard - Jet Fighters

£9.99