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Grumman F9F Panther
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Rolling into a turn, this VF-781 Panther orbits above the USS Oriskany as the
big ship turns into the wind to recover her aircraft. VF-781, a reserve squadron from Minnesota would see
considerable combat over Korea. However, it was the lopsided beating that three
VF-791 pilots handed out to a Soviet MiG-15 force, more than twice their number,
that would mark this squadron's outstanding overall service. In general, the F9F would prove
to be the best all-around jet fighter operating from carriers during the war.
This is the same F9F-2B aircraft in the photograph above.
In response to the need for a jet powered attack aircraft, the -2B was developed from the standard
F9F-2, fitting it with six under-wing pylons for bombs and air to ground rockets (HVAR). Eventually, all F9F-2
aircraft would be upgraded to the -2B configuration.
Read More About This Aircraft
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