Первый из двух прототипов XF9F-2 с 454-литровыми концевыми топливными баками. Последние были установлены на самолет в феврале 1948 года, затем они ставились и на серийные машины.
An F9F-5P (BuAer No 126279), the photographic version of the Panther, three dozen of which were produced
An F9F-2 (BuAer No 123440) of USMC Squadron VMF-311.
A USMC F9F-5 (BuAer No 125614) in overall natural metal finish adopted for some aircraft late in the Panther s career.
Практически не отличавшийся по конструкции от F9F-2, F9F-3 был оснащен ТРД Allison J33, на большинстве машин позднее замененный на J42.
The F9F-4 never overcame the problems associated with its J33-A-16, most aircraft being re-engined as were the preceding F9F-3s with the J33-A-8, an example of the latter version of the Panther, F9F-3 (BuAer No 122564) being illustrated here.
An F9F-2 photographed while under test from Bethpage.
First XF9F-2 (BuAer No 122475) after application of wingtip tanks.
The first XF9F-2 during initial flight trials with test boom protruding from nose.
Основными реактивными истребителями ВМС США были самолеты F9F Panther. На фотографии - F9F-2 из CAG-19, данная группа четырежды перебрасывалась в Корею и действовала с авианосцев "Princeton" и "Valley Forge".
Вариант F9F-2 (построили 564 самолета) был принят на вооружение весной 1949 года. Большая часть самолетов, оснащенная бомбодержателями под крылом, первоначально имела обозначение F9F-2B, но последнюю букву позднее стали опускать.
An F9F-2 (BuAer No 123600) of US Navy Squadron VF-191 photographed over the Korean coastline in May 1951. The symbols aft of the cockpit indicate that this particular aircraft had, at the lime, flown 18 ground attack missions.
An F9F-4 (BuAer No 125205) of USMC Squadron VMF-334.
An F9F-5 immediately prior to landing aboard, this illustration giving some idea of the excellent view provided the pilot by the cockpit.
An F9F-4 (BuAer No 125081) with wings in folded configuration.
The second XF9F-2 (BuAer No 122477) which joined the flight test programme in the spring of 1948. This aircraft was to be lost on 28 October of that year following a fuel system malfunction while under test at Patuxent River.
An F9F-2B fitted with six 5-in (12,7-cm) HVARs which were widely used in Korea
The first production F9F-3 (BuAer No 122560) flying with (in background) an F9F-2 (BuAer No 123451). Most F9F-3s were rebuilt to -2 standards.
Небольшое количество излишних F9F-5 было переделано в беспилотные F9F-5K и самолеты управления F9F-5KD (DF-9E после 1962 года).
An F9F-5KD (later DF-9E) target drone or drone controller.
