Warplanes of the USA: Grumman F-9 Cougar

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-6 Cougar fighter from fighter squadron VF-73 Jesters. VF-73 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 6 (CVG-6) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVA-41) for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 8 January to 4 August 1954.

The Grumman F9F/F-9 Cougar is a carrier-based jet-powered fighter aircraft developed during the early 1950s on behalf of the United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC), which were keen to quicklyintroduce a naval fighter equipped with a swept wing. Grumman's design teamdecided to adapt its earlier F9F Panther, replacing the straight wing of thePanther with a new swept wing. Thrust was also increased with the installationof a newer and more powerful engine. Nevertheless, the aircraft remainedlimited to subsonic speeds. The first prototype (XF9F-6), which was produced bymodifying an existing Panther, performed its maiden flight on 20 September1951. The Navy considered the Cougar to be an updated version of the Panther,despite having a different official name, and thus Cougars started off fromF9F-6.

During December 1952, the F9F-6 was introduced to service, VF-32 being thefirst squadron to receive the type; while developed at a relatively rapid pace,the Cougar's arrival was too late for it to engage in active combat during theKorean War. While initial production aircraft were powered by a single Pratt& Whitney J48 turbojet engine, the F9F-7 were furnished by an Allison J33powerplant instead. In the mid 1950s, the improved F9F-8 was introduced, whichhad a lower stall speed, improved handling when flown at high angles of attack,and increased range. The twin-seat F9F-8T was procured by the US Navy to performvarious forms of training. The F9F-8P photo-reconnaissance variant was createdby converting existing F9F-8s; most of the modifications were made to theaircraft's nose.

On 1 April 1954, US Navy Cougars established a new transcontinental crossingrecord. The US Navy's flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, adopted thetype in place of its Panthers. The Cougar gained a favourable reputation as ahighly maneuverable and easy to fly aircraft. The only foreign air service thatoperated the Cougar was the Argentine Naval Aviation. The F9F-8 was withdrawnfrom front-line duties during the late 1950s, having been replaced by morecapable aircraft such as the F11F Tigers and F8U Crusaders. While the NavalReserves flew Cougars into the mid-1960s, only the TF-9J trainer model saw actual combat, having been deployed as a Forward Air Control aircraft during the Vietnam War. Following its withdrawal from active service, many F9F-6s wereused as unmanned drones for combat training, designated F9F-6D, or as drone controllers, designated F9F-6K. (Wikipedia)

(USN Photo)

An airworthy Grumman F9F-8 Cougar approaches for a landing. It is painted as BuNo 141124 in the colours of Fighter Squadron 61 (VF-61) "Jolly Rogers". VF-61 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11) for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 12 March to 15 September 1956. Note the anachronistic AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles under the wings.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

Grumman F9F-6 Cougar (BuNo. 130929) VF-191, at San Francisco, California, August 1954.

(USN Photo)

Four U.S. Naval Air Reserve Grumman F9F-6 Cougar of the Naval Air Reserve Training Unit (NARTU) Denver flying over Pikes Peak, Colorado (USA), in 1955.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8B Cougar of Fighter Squadron 93 (VF-93) "Blue Blazers" in flight with a F9F-6P of Composite Squadron 61 (VC-61) Det. M "Eyes of the Fleet". Both squadrons were assigned to Carrier Air Group 9 (CVG-9) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA-34) for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 11 February to 13 August 1956.

(USN Photo)

A Grumman F9F-6P Cougar (BuNo. 134458) of U.S. Navy composite squadron VC-61 Eyes of the Fleet, on 4 March 1954.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-6P Cougar reconnaissance plane (BuNo 134458) assigned to composite squadron VC-61 Eyes of the Fleet in flight over Naval Air Station Miramar, California (USA), 4 March 1954. The squadron was based at the air station.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8 Cougar of Fighter Squadron 53 (VF-53) "Blue Knights" aboard the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La (CVA-38). VF-53 was assigned to Air Task Group 3 (ATG-3) aboard the Shangri-La for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 5 January to 23 June 1956.

(USN Photo)

Two U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8B Cougar (BuNO 141123, ?) of Attack Squadron 76 (VA-76) "Spirits", move onto catapults No. 3 and 4, while Douglas AD-6 Skyraider (BuNo 139775, 139782) of Attack Squadron 15 (VA-15) "Valions" stand by for take off from the aircaft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59), in May 1957. Both squadrons were assigned to Carrier Air Group 1 (CVG-1) aboard the Forrestal for her maiden depolyment to the Mediterranean Sea from 15 January to 22 July 1957.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-6 Cougar (BuNo 128249) from Fighter Squadron VF-73 Jesters after landing. VF-73 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 7 (CVG-7) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CVA-12) during a deployment to the Western Pacific from 4 May to 10 December 1955.

(USMC Photo)

A U.S. Marine Corps Grumman F9F-6P Cougar (BuNo 1274?0) from Marine Photographic Squadron 2 (VMJ-2) in flight, c1955.

(USN Photo)

Two U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8B Cougar of Attack Squadron VA-192 "Golden Dragons" and an F9F-8P of Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron VFP-61 Det.E "Eyes of the Fleet" in flight over Taiwan, in 1957. Both squadrons were assigned to Carrier Air Group 19 (CVG-19) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CVA-10) for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 9 March to 25 August 1957.

(USN Photo)

Four U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8B Cougars of Fighter Squadron 81 (VF-81) "Crusaders", in August 1958. VF-81 was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11) to the North Atlantic from June to August 1958 as part of Air Task Group 101 (ATG-101). VF-81 was then re-equipped with the Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk and redesignated Attack Squadron 81 (VA-81) on 1 July 1959. In 1963 the squadron nickname was changed to "Sunliners".

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8 Cougar (BuNo 131072) during a test flight at Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS) China Lake, California (USA), 26 November 1956. It is armed with AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Douglas A3D-2 Skywarrior (BuNo 138903) refuels a Grumman F9F-7 Cougar (BuNo 141043) during refueling equipment tests in the mid-1950s. The internal pipe remained attached to drogue when the F9F disconnected. The pilot of the A3D during this flight was test pilot Drury Wood. The A3D 138903 later crashed at Edwards Air Force Base, California (USA), during autopilot tests, in January 1958.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Landing Signal Officer waves a Grumman F9F Cougar during Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) at Naval Air Station Miramar, California (USA), in 1954.

(USN Photo)

75th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron North American F-86A-5-NA Sabre 49-1280 flying with a Navy Grumman F9F-6 Cougar over Long Island, 1952. The F9F-6 Cougar was the first F9F variant with swept wings

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8 Cougar (BuNo 141140) armed with AIM-9B Sindewinder air-to-air missiles in 1958.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8 Cougar (BuNo 141124) of Fighter Squadron 61 (VF-61) "Jolly Rogers" on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11), 25 April 1956. Note the squadron insignia under the cockpit. VF-61 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard the Intrepid for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 12 March to 5 September 1956.

(USN Photo)

Four U.S. Marine Corps Grumman F9F-8B Cougars of Marine Attack Squadron VMA-121 in flight. VMA-121 flew the Cougar in 1957-58.

(USN Photo)

Two U.S. Navy Grumman F9F Cougar on the catapults of the aircraft carrier USS Bennigton (CVA-20). The aircraft in front is a F9F-8P from Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron VFP-62 "Fighting Photos", the other is a F9F-8 from Fighter Squadron VF-174 "Hell Razors". Both squadrons were assigned to Air Task Group 181 (ATG-181) aboard the Bennington for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 15 October 1956 to 22 May 1957.

(USN Photo)

View of the flight deck of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Randolph (CVA-15), circa in 1957. Visible are four North American FJ-3 Furys of Fighter Squadron 73 (VF-73) "Jesters" (AD-3XX) and Fighter Squadron 173 (VF-173) "Jesters" (AD-2XX) and a Grumman F9F-8P Cougar of Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 62 (VFP-62) Det.36 "Fighting Photos". All squadrons were assigned to Carrier Air Group 4 (CVG-4) aboard the Randolph for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 1 July 1957 to 24 February 1958.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Douglas AD-6 Skyraider (Bu 137537) from attack squadron VA-42 Green Pawns refueling a Grumman F9F-8P Cougar (BuNo 141688) from photographic reconnaissance squadron VFP-62 Det.33 Fighting Photos. Both squadrons were assigned to Air Task Group 181 (ATG-181) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11) for a deployment to the North Atlantic from 9 June to 8 August 1958.

(USN Photo)

Four planes of U.S. Navy Carrier Air Group Three (CVG-3) in 1958: A Vought F8U-1 Crusader of fighter squadron VF-32 Swordsmen (left); a Grumman F9F-8P Cougar of reconnaissance squadron VFP-62 Det.43 Fighting Photos (above); a Douglas A4D-1 Skyhawk of attack squadron VA-34 Blue Blasters (below); and a McDonnell F3H-2N Demon of VF-31 Tomcatters (right). CVG-3 was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60) to the Mediterranean Sea from 1 February to 1 October 1958. CVG-3 (after 1963 CVW-3) was stationed aboard the Saratoga from 1958 to 1980.

(USN Photo)

Aircraft of U.S. Navy Carrier Air Group 2 (CVG-2) on deck of the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) during the deployment to the Western Pacific from 13 November 1956 to 20 May 1957. In the foreground are Douglas AD-6 Skyraider of Attack Squadron 65 (VA-65) "Fist of the Fleet". A Grumman F9F-8 Cougar of VA-63 "Fighting Redcocks" and North American FJ-3 Fury of Fighter Squadron 24 (VF-24) "Corsairs" are parked along the edge of the fight deck.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8 Cougar (BuNo 144301) of Fighter Squadron 144 (VF-144) "Bitter Birds" at Naval Air Station Miramar, California (USA), in August 1957.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F8F-8 Cougar (BuNo 141140) armed with what seems to be an early version of the Mark 82 227 kg bomb. 1958.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F8F-8 Cougar (BuNo. 141140) armed with AIM-9B Sidewinder air-to-air missiles in 1958.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8 Cougar (BuNo 141092) of Fighter Squadron 61 (VF-61) "Jolly Rogers" is positioned on the port catapult of the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11), 20 April 1956. Note the squadron insignia under the cockpit. VF-61 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard the Intrepid for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 12 March to 5 September 1956.

(USN Photo)

Two Grumman F9F-8P Cougar aircraft (BuNos. 144416 and 144417) of photo reconnaissance squadron VFP-62 Det. 43 Fighting Photos flying over Malta in 1958. VFP-62 Det. 43 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 3 (CVG-3) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60) during a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 1 February to 1 October 1958.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8P Cougar (BuNo 144408) of Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 61 (VFP-61) Det.J "Eyes of the Fleet" in flight. VFP-61 Det.J was assigned to Air Task Group 3 (ATG-3) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge (CVA-33) for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 9 August 1957 to 2 April 1958.

(USN Photo)

Two U.S. Marine Corps Grumman F9F-8T Cougars (BuNos. 147317, and 147328) from Marine Training Squadron VMT-1, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, in flight near Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, in 1962.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Marine Corps Grumman TF-9J Cougar (BuNo 147384) of Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 13 (H&MS-13) at Chu Lai, Vietnam. H&MS-11 and H&MS-13 used the Cougar as a fast forward air control aircraft until being replaced by the Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk. This was the only combat use of the Cougar which was in service from 1952 to 1974.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8T Cougar (BuNo. 142439), 4th production aircraft) on a flight from the Grumman factory. 1956.

(USN Photo)

Grumman TF-9J Cougar carrying AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. c1960s.

(USN Photo)

Four U.S. Navy Grumman TF-9J Cougar of Training Squadron 25 (VT-25) flying in formation. Note that two aircraft are fitted with inflight refueling probes. 1960.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman TF-9J Cougar (BuNo. 146405) of Training Squadron VT-10 at Naval Air Station Miramar, California (USA), in 1973. VT-10 was the last Cougar squadron and flew the TF-9J until 1974.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Marine Corps Grumman TF-9J Cougar (BuNo 147411) of Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron H&MS-11 at Naval Air Station North Island, California (USA), in 1967.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8T Cougar (BuNo 142463) taxis on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60), 1957-1959.

(USN Photo)

A Grumman TF-9J Cougar aircraft (BuNo. 147345) of Marine training squadron VMT-103 Sky Chickens parked on the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro (California, USA) on 8 Jan 1965.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman QF-9J Cougar (BuNo 138886) of the "Redbird Squadron" at Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, California (USA) sits on a flight line. This particular aircraft, after a long and varied service life was part of the NOLO (No Live Operator) program. She flew twenty successful NOLO flights and crashed on the 21st flight.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman QF-9J Cougar (BuNo 141180) drone and a Gyrodyne QH-50 DASH at Point Mugu in November 1965.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman QF-9G Cougar drone (BuNo. 128290) operated by Utility Squadron 8 (VU-8) "Redtails" being readied for a flight at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, on 17 June 1965.

(USN Photo)

Three U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-6 Cougars from Fighter Squadron 153 (VF-153) "Blue Tail Flies" fly in formation over Mount Fuji, Japan, 12 December 1954. VF-153 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 15 (CVG-15) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CVA-10) for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 1 July 1954 to 28 February 1955. The F9F-6 in the foreground is BuNo. 128209.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8 Cougar of Fighter Squadron 214 (VF-214) "Volunteers" and VF-94 "Tough Kittties" are launched from the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CVA-10). Both squadrons were assigned to Air Task Group 4 (ATG-4) aboard the Yorktown for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 19 March to 13 September 1956.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8 Cougar of Fighter Squadron 53 (VF-53) "Blue Knights" in flight. VF-53 was assigned to Air Task Group 3 (ATG-3) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 5 January to 23 June 1956.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8 Cougar (BuNo 131130) of Fighter Squadron 122 (VF-122) "Black Angels" takes off again after a "bolter" aboard the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La (CVA-38). VF-122 was assigned to Air Task Group 3 (ATG-3) aboard the Shangri-La for a deployment to the Western Pacific from 5 January to 23 June 1956.

(NACA Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F9F-8 Cougar fighter (BuNo 131086) used by the Ames Aeronautical Laboratory of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), at Moffett Field, California (USA), for gunsight tracking and guidance and control displays from 6 January to 7 February 1955. The aircraft was assigned to the U.S. Navy flight development squadron VX-5.

Grumman F-9 Cougars preserved in the USA

F9F-6

(USN Photo)

The first U.S. Navy Grumman XF9F-6 Cougar fighter (BuNo. 126670) in flight, circa late 1951, early in the flight test program for this type. This plane made its first flight on 20 September 1951 and is in storage at the National Air and Space Museum, Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility, Suitland, Maryland.

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126670 – in storage at the National Air and Space Museum, Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility, Suitland, Maryland. The National Air & Space Museum's F9F-6 (BuNo 126670) was the first prototype built by Grumman.

(Alan Raine Photo)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(kitmasterbloke Photo)
128109 – National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola, Florida.

(Paul Trahan Photo)
127236 – New Iberia Veterans Memorial Building, New Iberia, Louisiana.

F9F-6P

(Exchange25 Photo)
BuNo. unknown – The Town of Tonawanda Veterans Memorial in the Town of Tonawanda, NewYork. The aircraft has been on display since 1959 and in 2009 wasrefurbished when the new Town of Tonawanda Veterans Memorial was created.
127484 – Former Marine Corps aircraft has been a ground display for children toplay on in Boysen Park in Anaheim, California, since about 1960. For safetyreasons, in 1967 the aircraft was coated in gunite to cover sharp edges thathad developed.

F9F-7

(Arjun Sarup Photo)

(Mike Peel Photo)
130763 – Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York.

F9F-8

(Richard Lane Photo)
131063 – Texas Air Museum in Slaton, Texas.

(Michael Rivera Photo)

(Infrogmation Photo)

131205 - Florida Welcome Center, Interstate 10 near the Alabama border, Blue Angels, mounted on a pylon.

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)
131230 – National Naval Aviation Museum, NAS Pensacola, Florida.

(Greg Goebel Photo)
131232 – Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington.

(Author Photos)
138876 – Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum in Pueblo, Colorado.

(Bjoertvedt Photo)

(Jacob Halun Photo)

(Mike Peel Photo)
141117 – Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York, New York. It is on loanfrom the National Museum of Naval Aviation. It was built in Grumman's Bethpagefactory in 1955 and retired from active service in 1965. It previously servedas a gate guard for Naval Weapons Station Earle, and later was displayed at aplayground in Wall Township, NJ. Restored to wear the colours of fightersquadron VF-61, which flew from USS Intrepid in 1956.

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

(aeroprints Photo)

(Eric Salard Photo)

(Author Photo)
141121 – Pima Air & Space Museum, adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB, in Tucson, Arizona. 386.

(airforcefe Photo)

(Valder137 Photos)

(Eric Salard Photo)
144275 – Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. It is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation and is painted to represent thenarrator's aircraft for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels precision flightdemonstration team.

F9F-8B

(Michael Barera Photo)

141158 - Historic Aviation Memorial Museum, Tyler Pounds Regional Aviation Museum, Tyler, Texas.

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(Balon Greyjoy Photo)

(AviationPhotographer Photo)
144276 – Patuxent River Naval Air Museum in Lexington Park, Maryland. 144275, was received by the Navy as an F9F-8, and converted to the F9F-8B. It was later converted to the QF-9J target drone, and flown out of the Pacific Missile Test Center at NAS Point Mugu. It was retired in September 1966 and displayed in Richmond, Virginia, and was later transferred to the museum.

F9F-8P

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)
141675 – Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.

(Author Photo)
141702 – USS Midway Museum in San Diego, California.

(Jerry Gunner Photo)

(RightCowlLeftCoast Photo)

(Author Photo)
141722 – Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, MCAS Miramar in San Diego, California.

(Mike Levine Photo)
144388 – Estrella Warbird Museum in Paso Robles, California.

(aeroprints Photo)

(Author Photos)
144426 – Pima Air & Space Museum, adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona.

(Mark Knapp Photo)
144402 – Military Aviation Preservation Society, M.A.P.S. in Canton, Ohio.

F9F-8T

(Jason Catanzariti Photo)
142442 – The Town of Woodridge, New York.

(Articseahorse Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photos)

(Author Photos)
147276 – USS Lexington Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas.

(Michael Barera Photo)
147283 – Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

(Jim Hoagland Photo)
147385 – USS Yorktown (CV-10) at the Patriot's Point Naval and Maritime Museumin Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

(aeroprints Photo)

(Eric Salard Photo)
147397 – Pima Air & Space Museum, adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona.

(Moose135 Photo)
142985 – Hickory Aviation Museum, Hickory Regional Airport (KHKY) in Hickory, North Carolina.

(Sog6925 Photo)

(Randy Beavers Photo)
147418 – James Clemens High School part of the Madison City Schools district in Madison, Alabama.

TF-9J

(Alan Wilson Photos)

142976 - The TF-9J was originally designated the F9F-8T. This example is stored by the Maryland Aviation Museum, adjacent to their Strawberry Point Flightline. The museum has no wings or tail feathers for this aircraft and although quite rare, it’s restoration looks unlikely, certainly for the near future. Martin State Airport, Maryland

Grumman F9F-8T Cougar preserved in Argentina

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F9F-8T
0516/3-A-151 (Argentine Navy) – Argentine Naval Aviation Museum (Museo de laAviacion Naval - MUAN) at Bahía Blanca, Argentina.

(Grupo del Museo de la Aviacion Naval Photo)

Pilots from the Argentine Naval Aviation stand in front of a F9F Cougar.

Grumman TAF-9J TAF-9J Cougar preserved in South Korea

(Jerry Gunner Photo)

141152 - Built as a Grumman F9F-8 Cougar, it was later redesignated as a F-9J and operated by VT-22 as a trainer from 1963 to 1969 with the number "3F-210" (the aircraft has since been repainted with the number "3F-219." The aircraft was struck off charge in April 1970 and sent to AMARC and later donated to the museum.Grumman F-9 Cougar