The Grumman F9F-8 Cougar was a development of the earlier Grumman F9F Panther straight wing fighter.

It’s new wing gave it an improved performance. Introduced to service in 1953, they remained in use until 1974.

The Grumman F9F-8 Cougar was a development of the earlier F9F straight wing Panther fighters with a swept wing and improved engine that gave it improved performance.

It was designed to give the US navy an aircraft capable of competing with the MiG-15 but it was too late to see service in the Korean War.

Nearly 2000 were produced for the US Navy and Marine Corps where they served in fighter, ground attack, photo reconnaissance and training roles.

Between 1957 and 1959 the F9F-8 was flown by the US Navy’s ‘Blue Angels’ demonstration team.

This model represents 131205 flying with the Blue Angles c.1958.

Hasegawa 1/72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in August 2022.