Grumman F9F Panther: Warpaint #119 softcover

Grumman F9F Panther: Warpaint #119 softcover

Grumman F9F Panther: Warpaint #119 softcover

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.

Warpaint Series

Produced by Hall Park Books editor Alan W. Hall, these British produced and printed A4 magazine format (21 cm x 29.7 cm) books each describe in accurate detail a particular aircraft type, with the modeler and aviation enthusiast in mind. Most volumes include 1:72 scale three view plans, and a selection of colour profiles as well as black & white and colour photographs, including detail / walk around photos. A concise history of the type is included, in some cases including international operators.

Aircraft titles range from World War I to the post war period, and include the majority of RAF and Fleet Air Arm aircraft, but also feature many USAAF, USAF, US Navy and Luftwaffe machines. Few contemporary aircraft are featured as Warpaints discuss and illustrate the definitive history of the aircraft involved. Experienced and well established authors and artists are employed in order to accurately portray the subject aircraft, and every effort is made to include previously unpublished information or images. Warpaint Books vary in length and thus page count depending on the content, and are priced accordingly.

• Complete and detailed history

• Complete production list

• Squadrons, units and individual aircraft serials and codes

• 1:72nd scale plans

• Comprehensive specifications

• Superb colour camouflage profiles

• colour and black & white photography

• In detail pictures

• Model kit, decal and accessory list

Published May 2019, 52 pages, black & white and colour photographs, 39 colour profiles, 1:72 scale plans, softcover, A4 Format, 210 cm (8 1/4”) x 29.7 cm (11 3/4 “)