The Grumman F9F series of single jet fighters was Grumman’s first production jet aircraft and proved to be solid and reliable. The F9F Panthers served with the US Navy and Marine Corps during the Korean War.

Development of the F9F began in 1945 and had settled on a simple single seat jet powered fighter by August 1946 based around American versions of the Rolls Royce Nene engine.

The first flight occurred in February 1948, carrier trials began in March 1949 and squadron deliveries began in May 1949.

The F9F-2 was the first production version of the F9F and was aboard US Navy aircraft carriers at the beginning of the Korean War.

Although they were not a match for enemy MiG-15s they were used very extensively for ground attack operations against enemy troops and infrastructure.

This model represents a Grumman F9F-2 flying with VMF-311 in Korea in June 1951..

Data: Engine one Pratt & Whitney J-48-P-6 turbojet engine of 2268kg thrust. Sspan 11.58m. Length 11.42m.. Gross weight 8442kg. Maximum speed 925km/h. Range 2177km. Armament four 20mm cannon plus bombs or rockets. Crew: one

Hobby Boss 1:72 kit with Microscale decals completed by Leigh Edmonds in August 2023.