Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series HA7205 Grumman F9F-2 Panther, VF-61 “Jolly Rogers” LIMITED EDITION

Die-cast metal with a minimum of plastic.

All markings pad applied for superb results.

Cockpit slides open.

Pilot figure.

Comes with display stand.

Landing gear is fully retractable and can be displayed up or down.

Wings can fold and unfold.

Extremely sought after by collectors.

Powered by a Rolls-Royce engine the first F9F flew in 1947. These new engines were These tanks also had the unexpected benefit of increasing the aircraft roll rate. In the Korean War the F9F was the primary USN aircraft for ground-attack and served with distinction. However it was realized that the Panther was inferior to the MiG aircraft so a swept-wing version was developed. The new aircraft retained the F9F designation and was called the Cougar.

VF-61 was established January 1, 1943 as VF-17 “Jolly Rogers”. On November 15, 1946 the JRs were re-designated the VF-5B and on July 28, 1948 they became VF-61. In April 1950 VF-61 traded in the F8F-2 “Bearcat” for the new F9F-2 Panther. From January 10, 1951 to May 18, 1951 VF-61 served on-board the carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. One VF-61 pilot, Lt. Lawrence Cauble already had jet experience flying the P- 59B Airacomet in 1947 and would later become a test pilot. VF-61 was disestablished in 1959.

Specification for the Grumman F9F-2 Panther:

Engine 1 X Pratt & Whitney J42-P-6/P-8 turbojet Rated at - 5,000 lb.s.t. for takeoff dry 5,950 lb.s.t. for takeoff with water injection Performance Maximum speed - 575 mph at sea level, 545 mph at 22,000 feet, 529 mph at 3,500 feet Cruising speed - 487 mph Landing speed - 105 mph Initial climb rate - 5,140 feet per minute Service ceiling - 44,600 feet Normal range - 1,353 miles Dimensions Wingspan - 38 feet 0 inches Length - 37 feet 5 3/8 inches Height - 11 feet 4 inches Wing area - 250 square feet.

Weights Empty - 9,303 pounds Combat - 14,235 pounds Gross - 16,450 pounds Take-off - 19,494 pounds maximum Internal fuel capacity 923 US gallons Armament 4 X 20-mm cannon. Under-wing loads of up to 2,000 pounds of bombs and rockets could be carried on 8 under-wing racks.

USS FDR insignia

VF-61 “Jolly Rogers” patch

THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PHOTOS, NOT THE FINISHED PRODUCT