View source for Grumman F-9 Cougar

{{short description|US Navy carrier-based fighter aircraft in service 1952-1974}}
{{redirect|Grumman Cougar|the civil aircraft|Gulfstream American GA-7 Cougar}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= F9F/F-9 Cougar
 |image= File:Grumman F9F-8 Cougar of VF-53 in flight, in 1956.jpg
 |caption= Grumman F9F-6 Cougar, 1952
 |type= [[Fighter aircraft]]
 |national_origin = United States
 |manufacturer= [[Grumman]]
 |first_flight= 20 September 1951
 |introduction= December 1952
 |retired= 1974 (US Navy)
 |status= Retired
 |primary_user= [[United States Navy]]
 |more_users= [[United States Marine Corps]] <br />[[Argentine Navy]]
 |produced=
 |number_built=1,988<ref name="frnp342">{{harvnb|Francillon|1989|p=342}}</ref>
 |developed_from= [[Grumman F9F Panther]]
 |variants=
}}

The '''Grumman F9F/F-9 Cougar''' is a [[carrier-based]] [[jet propulsion|jet-powered]] [[fighter aircraft]] designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer [[Grumman]].

It was developed during the early 1950s on behalf of the [[United States Navy]] (US Navy) and [[United States Marine Corps]] (USMC), which were keen to quickly introduce a naval fighter equipped with a [[swept wing]]. Grumman's design team decided to adapt its earlier [[Grumman F9F Panther|F9F Panther]], replacing the straight wing of the Panther with a new swept wing. Thrust was also increased with the installation of a newer and more powerful engine. Nevertheless, the aircraft remained limited to subsonic speeds. The first prototype (XF9F-6), which was produced by modifying an existing Panther, performed its [[maiden flight]] on 20 September 1951. The Navy considered the Cougar to be an updated version of the Panther, despite having a different official name, and thus Cougars started off from '''F9F-6'''.

During December 1952, the F9F-6 was introduced to service, [[VF-32]] being the first squadron to receive the type; while developed at a relatively rapid pace, the Cougar's arrival was too late for it to engage in active combat during the [[Korean War]]. While initial production aircraft were powered by a single [[Pratt & Whitney J48]] [[turbojet]] engine, the '''F9F-7''' were furnished by an [[Allison J33]] powerplant instead. In the mid 1950s, the improved '''F9F-8''' was introduced, which had a lower [[Stall (fluid dynamics)#Speed|stall speed]], improved handling when flown at high [[angle of attack|angles of attack]], and increased range. The twin-seat '''F9F-8T''' was procured by the US Navy to perform various forms of training. The '''F9F-8P''' [[Aerial reconnaissance|photo-reconnaissance]] variant was created by converting existing F9F-8s; most of the modifications were made to the aircraft's nose.

On 1 April 1954, US Navy Cougars established a new transcontinental crossing record. The US Navy's flight demonstration team, the [[Blue Angels]], adopted the type in place of its Panthers. The Cougar gained a favourable reputation as a highly maneuverable and easy to fly aircraft. The only foreign air service that operated the Cougar was the [[Argentine Naval Aviation]]. The F9F-8 was withdrawn from front-line duties during the late 1950s, having been replaced by more capable aircraft such as the [[Grumman F-11 Tiger|F11F Tigers]] and [[Vought F-8 Crusader|F8U Crusaders]]. While the Naval Reserves flew Cougars into the mid-1960s, only the TF-9J trainer model saw actual combat, having been deployed as a [[Forward Air Control]] aircraft during the [[Vietnam War]]. Following its withdrawal from active service, many F9F-6s were used as unmanned drones for combat training, designated '''F9F-6D''', or as drone controllers, designated '''F9F-6K'''.

==Design and development==
===Early development===
Rumors that the [[Soviet Union]] had produced a swept wing fighter had circulated a year before the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15]] first appeared at air shows in 1949. Despite the level of activity taking place with swept wing aircraft, the US Navy was not initially focused on the development of such aircraft. This was largely because the US Navy's focus at the time was defending the battle group against high speed, high altitude bombers with interceptors, as well as escorting medium-range carrier-based bombers in all weather conditions; air-to-air combat was of less interest at that time. Nonetheless, the US Navy appreciated the importance of getting a capable carrier-based swept wing jet fighter. Grumman was awarded a contract for the development of a swept-wing fighter jet in early 1951. The arrival of the MiG-15, which easily outclassed straight-wing fighters in the air war over North Korea, was a major factor.<ref name="Kinzey 4">Kinzey 1983, p. 4.</ref><ref name="Elward p112">Elward 2010, p. 112.</ref><ref name="Elward p113">Elward 2010, p. 113.</ref>

Development proceeded at a relatively rapid pace, in part due to Grumman's pre-existing experience of studying prospective derivatives of the Panther guiding several of their design choices.<ref name = "thomason 132"/> One example of this was the design team's decision to retain the center fuselage section of the Panther relatively unchanged, as studies of various alternative arrangements had been determined to have introduced [[Center of mass#Center of gravity|center of gravity]] issues that in turn would have compelled substantial redesigns of other elements of the aircraft, including its propulsion. Instead, the aircraft shared the Panther's engine, [[landing gear]], and various other systems.<ref name = "thomason 132"/> By changing as little as possible, the company was able to produce a swept wing fighter for the US Navy in mere months, rather than the years involved in delivering a clean-sheet design.<ref name = "thomason 132">Thomason 2008, p. 132.</ref>

However, it was necessary to implement various design changes. To effectively accommodate the switch from a straight wing to a swept one, it was necessary to delete the two 120-gallon [[Aircraft fuel tank#Tip tanks|tip tanks]], as in combination with the swept wing there would have been too great a negative impact upon the aircraft's center of gravity; for the same reason, only a single [[hardpoint]] was fitted under each wing.<ref name = "thomason 132"/> Instead, internal fuel tanks housed within the wing were adopted, although these had less capacity than the tip tanks had. The [[leading edge]] [[Flap (aeronautics)|flaps]] present on the Panther were deleted in favour of [[Leading-edge slat|slats]], while the [[trailing edge]] slats and fuselage-mounted flaps were both redesigned to be effective with the swept wing.<ref name = "thomason 132"/> The modified fuselage flaps could also function as a second set of [[Air brake (aeronautics)|air brake]]s.<ref name = "thomason 132"/>

===Early flights===
[[File:F9F-6 F9F-5 NAN7-52.jpg|thumb|A swept-wing F9F-6 Cougar (foreground) and a straight-wing F9F-5 Panther in flight]]
Three ''XF9F-6'' prototypes, two airworthy and one static test airframe, were rapidly produced by modifying existing Panthers straight off the production line.<ref name = "thomason 132"/> On 20 September 1951, the first prototype conducted its [[maiden flight]], piloted by Grumman test pilot Fred Rowley, only six months following the contract's awarding. Few meaningful problems were encountered during flight testing, most being quickly resolved or accepted on the basis of the perceived urgency for such an aircraft to be made available.<ref name = "thomason 132"/> The Cougar proved itself to be a definitive step forward; some pilots claimed the type to have superior handling at approach speeds than the preceding Panther.<ref name = "thomason 1334">Thomason 2008, pp. 133-134.</ref> In a full-power vertical dive, it could break the [[sound barrier]] without experiencing buffeting or major undesirable flight characteristics.<ref name = "thomason 134">Thomason 2008, p. 134.</ref> In level flight, the aircraft remained only capable of [[Subsonic flight|subsonic]] flight, however, the [[critical Mach number]] was increased from 0.79 to 0.86 at sea level, and to 0.895 at 35,000&nbsp;ft (10,000&nbsp;m), thus delivering performance markedly superior to that of its predecessor.<ref name="Kinzey 5"/>

However, both [[Aircraft principal axes#Longitudinal axis (roll)|roll]] and [[Aircraft principal axes#Transverse axis (pitch)|pitch]] control were deemed to not satisfy the requirements. The original roll control arrangement, a combination of unboosted [[aileron]]s and [[hydraulic]]ally-actuated [[Spoiler (aeronautics)|spoilers]] (referred to as "flaperons"), were insufficient when operated via mechanical linkage alone without hydraulic pressure, thus were redesigned.<ref name = "thomason 1323"/> [[Wing fence]]s were added and the spoilers extended from the fences to the tips of the wing,<ref name="Kinzey 5"/> while the flaperons were divided into two halves, the inbound set being powered by a separate hydraulic system.<ref name = "thomason 1323"/>

Pitch control was initially achieved via a conventional [[Elevator (aeronautics)|elevator]] and [[horizontal stabilizer]], the [[rudder]] pedals controlled the section of the rudder beneath the horizontal tail surface, while the upper portion of the rudder was controlled by a [[yaw damper]].<ref name = "thomason 1323"/><ref name="Kinzey 5"/> However, this arrangement was unsuited to high speed flight, thus a powered "flying tail" was adopted.<ref name = "thomason 1323">Thomason 2008, pp. 132-133.</ref> As such, the Cougar was capable of flying safely and easily even without the upper portion of the tail being present.<ref name="Kinzey 5">Kinzey 1983, p. 5.</ref>

===F9F-6===
[[File:F9F-6 VF-24 CVA-9 1955.JPG|thumb|An F9F-6 of [[VFA-211 (U.S. Navy)|VF-24]] on {{USS|Essex|CV-9|6}} in 1955]]

The initial production model was the ''F9F-6''; a total of 646 airframes were delivered between mid-1952 and July 1954. The F9F-6 first flew on 20 September 1951, seven months after Grumman signed a contract with the Navy for swept-wing fighter.<ref name="Kinzey 8">Kinzey 1983, p. 8.</ref> The first 30 production aircraft used the same J42 P-6 engine used in the F9F-5, but was then replaced by the more powerful J42 P-8 with {{cvt|7,250|lbf|kN}} of thrust.<ref name="Elward p115">Elward 2010, p. 115.</ref> The J42 was a [[licensed production|licensed version]] of the [[Rolls-Royce Nene]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pw.utc.com/J42_Engine |title=Pratt & Whitney History page on the J42 |access-date=27 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830224834/http://www.pw.utc.com/J42_Engine |archive-date=30 August 2014  }}</ref>

Armament was four 20&nbsp;mm (.79&nbsp;in) AN/M3 cannons in the nose and provisions for two {{convert|1000|lb|kg|abbr=on}} bombs or {{convert|150|gal|L|abbr=on}} drop tanks under the wings. Most were fitted with a UHF homing antenna under the nose, and some were fitted with probes for [[inflight refuelling]]. The F9F-6 used an Aero 5D-1 weapons sight with an APG-30A gun-ranging radar.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Chant|first1=Chris|title=Classic US Fighters – The Grumman F9F Cougar|url=http://www.cmchant.com/grumman-f9f-cougar|website=Christopher Chant Aviation and Military History|date=23 January 2012|publisher=WordPress|access-date=4 December 2016}}</ref> The F9F-6 was later designated '''F-9F''' in 1962. Sixty were built as '''F9F-6P''' reconnaissance aircraft with cameras instead of the nose cannon.<ref name="Elward p128">Elward 2010, p. 128.</ref>

After withdrawal from active service, many F9F-6s were used as unmanned drones for combat training, designated '''F9F-6D''', or as drone controllers, designated '''F9F-6K'''.<ref name="Kinzey 8"/> The F9F-6K and the F9F-6D were redesignated the '''QF-9F''' and '''DF-9F''', respectively.

===F9F-7===
The '''F9F-7''' referred to the next batch of Cougars that were given the [[Allison J33]] also found in the F9F-4, instead of the [[Pratt & Whitney J48]]. A total of 168 were built, but the J33 proved both less powerful and less reliable than the J48. Almost all were retrofitted with the J48 engine, and were thus indistinguishable from F9F-6s.<ref name = "thomason 134"/> These were redesignated '''F-9H''' in 1962.<ref name="uswarplanes">{{cite web|title=GRUMMAN F9F PANTHER / COUGAR|url=http://www.uswarplanes.net/panthercougar.html|website=USwarplanes|publisher=US Warplanes|access-date=16 April 2016|archive-date=18 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818184317/http://www.uswarplanes.net/panthercougar.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Baugher|first1=Joe|title=Grumman F9F-7/F-9H Cougar|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_fighters/f9_10.html|website=joebaugher|access-date=16 April 2016}}</ref><ref name="Elward p118">Elward 2010, p. 118.</ref>

====Flexible deck testing====
The Navy used two modified F9F-7s to conduct experiments landing on British-inspired [[Flight deck#Flexible|flexible decks]] which did not require the use of landing gear. The reasoning was that since an airplane's landing gear comprises some 33% of the total weight, a plane without landing gear would gain a greater range and would be able to carry more ordnance.<ref name="Elward p118"/> The aircraft were fitted with a {{convert|3|in|mm|adj=mid|-deep}} false bottom under the center fuselage to help balance the plane during landings on the flex-deck made up of a lubricated rubberized fabric. The deck, built by [[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]] was {{convert|1/2|in|mm}} thick and featured several arresting cables.<ref name="Elward p120">Elward 2010, p. 120.</ref> The planes were launched using a ramp and a handling dolly which served as temporary landing gear.<ref name="Elward p119">Elward 2010, p. 119.</ref> The two F9F-7 aircraft in the test were equipped with the powerful J48-P8 engine instead of the Allison J33 engine originally used with the F9F-7. While the landing tests yielded positive results and proved that landing was clearly possible, the project was terminated in 1955 as it would have been difficult to move the aircraft around the carrier deck once they landed. It also required a highly skilled pilot to perform the landings and would have made it impossible to divert to a land base if necessary.<ref name="Elward p120"/><ref name="Elward p122">Elward 2010, p. 122.</ref>

===F9F-8===
Work on the F9F-8 began in April 1953 with three goals: lower the airplane's stall speed, improve aircraft control at high angles of attack, and increase range. It featured an 8&nbsp;in (20&nbsp;cm) stretch in the fuselage and modified wings with a greater chord, an increased area (from {{convert|300|to|337|sqfoot|m2}}), and a [[Dogtooth extension|dogtooth]].<ref name = "thomason 1345">Thomason 2008, pp. 134-135.</ref> The airframe changes improved low-speed and high angle of attack flying, and gave more room for fuel tanks. The top speed was {{cvt|704|mph|km/h}} and minimum catapult speed was lowered to {{convert|127|kn|km/h mph}}. It also was now capable of breaking the sound barrier in a steep dive. All four ammunition boxes were mounted above the guns, in contrast to the split location of most previous F9Fs including the Panther. Visibility, which was already very good was improved with the F9F-8.<ref name="Elward p128"/><ref name="Elward p114">Elward 2010, p. 114.</ref><ref name="Elward p129">Elward 2010, p. 129.</ref><ref name="Winchester186-187">Winchester 2005, p. 4-5.</ref> 601 aircraft were delivered between April 1954 and March 1957. Late production F9F-8 aircraft were given the ability to carry four [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] [[air-to-air missile]]s under the wings (the first Navy aircraft to deploy with the missiles). Most earlier aircraft were later modified to carry Sidewinders. A number were given also nuclear bombing equipment.<ref name="Elward p128"/><ref name="Elward p72">Elward 2010, p. 72.</ref> The F9F-8 was redesignated '''F-9J''' in 1962. The '''F9F-8B''' aircraft were F9F-8s converted into single-seat [[Strike fighter|attack fighters]], later redesignated '''AF-9J'''.<ref name=PRNAM>{{cite web|title=F9F-8 Detail|url=http://change-index.com/prnama/f9f-8-detail/|website=Pax River Naval Air Museum|access-date=28 November 2016}}</ref> The Navy acquired 377 two-seat '''F9F-8T''' trainers between 1956 and 1960. They were used for advanced training, weapons training, and carrier training, and served until 1974. They were armed with twin 20&nbsp;mm (.79&nbsp;in) cannon and could carry a full bombs or missiles load. In the 1962 redesignation, these were later called '''TF-9J'''.<ref>Swanborough and Bowers 1990, pp. 249–251.</ref>

[[File:F8F-8 Cougar with Sidewinder missiles in flight 1958.jpg|thumb|The F9F-8 was fitted with an inflight refueling probe and [[AIM-9 Sidewinder|Sidewinder]] missiles.]]

====Aerial reconnaissance====
A total of 110 '''F9F-8P'''s ([[Aerial reconnaissance|photo-reconnaissance]]) were produced with an extensively modified nose carrying cameras. They were withdrawn after 1960 to reserve squadrons. In 1962, remaining F9F-6P and F9F-8P aircraft were re-designated RF-9F and RF-9J respectively.

Modifications of F9F-8 to convert to F9F-8P:
* The modification to eliminate the guns and related equipment and incorporate the photographic equipment and automatic pilot and their controls and instruments has resulted in the following changes:
* Rearrangement of electronics equipment installed in the area enclosed by the fuselage nose section, lengthening of this section by {{convert|12|in|cm}}, and shortening of the sliding nose section.
* Rearrangement of the left and right consoles and the main instrument panel to provide space for the controls associated with the additional equipment.
* Some minor changes of the fuselage structure and equipment installations to provide for the necessary ducting control for hot air from the engine compressor, which is used for defrosting the camera windows and heating the camera compartment.
* Removal of all armament, the Armament Control System, and the AN/APG-30 radar system, and installation of an additional armor plate bulkhead.<ref>USN Flight Handbook, F9F-8</ref>

===Flight characteristics and deployment===
The F9F was known to be highly maneuverable and easy to fly.<ref name="Elward p115"/> Corky Meyer, who flew both the F9F Cougar and [[North American FJ-2/-3 Fury|North American FJ-3 Fury]], noted that compared to the latter the Cougar had a higher dive speed limit (Mach 1.2 vs Mach 1), a higher maneuvering limit of 7.5-g (compared to 6-g), and greater endurance.

"[The] Combat Air patrol mission was for two hours on station at {{cvt|150|nmi|km}} from the carrier. This required 2+30 takeoff, cruise, and landing endurance plus reserves. The F9F-6 could perform a three-hour CAP mission on internal fuel. The FJ-2 and -3 with external tanks had less than 1+30 mission time and the FJ-4 just met the mission requirement."<ref name="Elward p138">Elward 2010, p. 138.</ref>

The F9F Cougar was also a capable multi-role aircraft, which may explain why it was deployed less often than dedicated fighters.<ref name="Elward p138"/> In spite of engine problems that plagued the FJ-3, it was deployed for a longer period than the F9F Cougar. This was more likely attributable to the fact the F9F had an attack role that was being superseded by new jets such as [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A4D-1 Skyhawk]], rather than any deficiency as a fighter.

"The reason the FJ-3 was deployed a little longer and a little more often (19 times vs 16) in fighter squadrons than the F9F-8 probably wasn't because it was the better fighter. More likely it was because it has a minimal capability as an attack aircraft, whereas the F9F-8 was good for that too, including nuclear weapon delivery. In effect the F9F-8 was a jet attack placeholder along with the [[Vought F7U Cutlass|F7U-3M]], while the pipeline was being filled with the [[North American FJ-4 Fury|FJ-4B]]s and A4Ds. As a result, the FJ-3 was the designated day fighter by default on most deployments."<ref name="Elward p138"/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Thomason|first1=Tommy|title=About Tommy|url=http://tommythomason.com/|website=tommythomason|publisher=Tommy H. Thomason|access-date=16 April 2016}}</ref>

==Operational history==
[[File:TF-9J Cougar of H&MS-13 in Vietnam c1967.jpg|thumb|A TF-9J (F9F-8T) of [[Marine Aircraft Group 13|H&MS-13]] at [[Chu Lai Air Base|Chu Lai]], Vietnam 1967]]
[[File:F9F-8 Blue Angels fleur de lis NAN8-55.jpg|thumb|Blue Angel F9F-8's performing a "[[fleur-de-lis]]" maneuver in 1955]]

===United States===
The first F9F-6s were assigned to fleet squadron [[VF-32]] at the end of 1952. The first F9F Cougar squadron to actually deploy was [[VF-24]], assigned to {{USS|Yorktown|CV-10|6}} in August 1953. It arrived too late to the Korean theater to participate in the air war.<ref name="Elward p115"/><ref name="Elward p114"/>

F9F-8s were withdrawn from front-line service in 1958–59, replaced by [[Grumman F-11 Tiger|F11F Tigers]] and [[Vought F-8 Crusader|F8U Crusaders]]. The Naval Reserves used them until the mid-1960s, but none of the single-seat versions were used in the Vietnam War.

The only version of the Cougar to see combat was the TF-9J trainer (known as F9F-8T until 1962) during the [[Vietnam War]]. Detachments of four Cougars served with [[United States Marine Corps|US Marines]] [[Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11|Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11 (H&MS-11)]] at [[Da Nang Air Base|Da Nang]] and [[Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13|H&MS-13]] at [[Chu Lai Air Base|Chu Lai]], where they were used for fast-[[Forward Air Control]] and the airborne command role, directing airstrikes against enemy positions in [[South Vietnam]] between 1966 and 1968.<ref>Mersky ''Aviation News'' 17–31 August 1989, pp. 320–322.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Grumman F9F-8T/TF-9J Cougar|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_fighters/f9_13.html|access-date=2023-02-20|website=www.joebaugher.com}}</ref>

The TF-9J two-seat trainer had a long service with the U.S. Navy. It served as the Navy's advanced flight trainer for more than two decades.<ref name="Winchester186-187"/> The proposed Cougar modification (re-engined with a J52 engine) was rejected, and the Navy selected the TA-4F Skyhawk. The last Cougar was phased out when Training Squadron 4 ([[VT-4 (United States)|VT-4]]) re-equipped in February 1974. A F9F-8T, BuNo 14276, is displayed at the [[National Naval Aviation Museum]] at [[NAS Pensacola]], Florida.

====Transcontinental speed record====
The US Navy used the F9F Cougar to set the transcontinental crossing record on April 1, 1954. Three pilots from fleet fighter squadron [[VF-21]] completed the {{convert|2,438|mi|km|adj=on}} flight in under four hours with LCDR F.X. Brady setting the quickest time of 3 hours, 45 minutes and 30 seconds. This was the first time the distance had been covered in under four hours. The three F9F-6 aircraft [[Aerial refueling|refueled]] over Kansas from a [[North American AJ Savage]], using an experimental refueling probe mounted on the nose.<ref name="Kinzey 8"/><ref name="Elward p116">Elward 2010, p. 116.</ref>

====Blue Angels====
The U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team, the [[Blue Angels]] flew four different variants of F9Fs from the F9F-2 Panther to the F9F-8. The Blue Angels replaced their six F9F-5 Panthers with six F9F-6s in 1953. This was short lived however and the Navy subsequently took them for fleet use without using the planes in an air show. The F9F-6s were then replaced with overhauled F9F-5s until 1954 when the Blue Angels switched to the F9F-8. The Blue Angels used the F9F-8 until 1957 they were replaced by the [[F-11 Tiger|Grumman F11F-1 Tiger]], although one two-seat F9F-8T was retained for press and VIP flights.<ref name="Elward p142">Elward 2010, p. 142.</ref>

===Argentina===
The only foreign air arm to use the F9F Cougar was the [[Argentine Naval Aviation]], who also used the F9F Panther as well. Two F9F-8T trainers were acquired in 1962, and served until 1971. The Cougar was the first jet to break the sound barrier in Argentina.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AvNaval|url=http://www.histarmar.com.ar/Armada%2520Argentina/AviacionNaval/TR-AT-Cougar.htm|access-date=2023-02-20|website=www.histarmar.com.ar}}</ref> One aircraft (serial 3-A-151) is on display at the Naval Aviation Museum (MUAN) at [[Bahía Blanca]], while the other was sold to a customer in the United States and subsequently lost in an accident on 31 October 1991.<ref name="InstAeroNav-F9F"/>

==Variants==
[[File:F9F Cougars of VA-192 and VFP-61 over Formosa 1957.jpg|thumb|Two F9F-8Bs from [[VFA-192|VA-192]] and an F9F-8P of [[VFP-63|VFP-61]] over Formosa ([[Taiwan]]), in 1957]]
[[File:F8F-8T Cougars of VMT-1 in flight in 1962.jpg|thumb|F9F-8Ts of VMT-1 near MCAS Cherry Point, 1962]]
[[File:QF-9J Cougar target drone at China Lake in 1970.jpg|thumb|QF-9J target drone in 1970]]

;XF9F-6 : Prototypes built from the F9F-5 Panther, with swept wings and horizontal tail surfaces. Initially powered by {{convert|7000|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} J-48-P6 engine and later reengined with {{convert|7250|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} YJ-48-P8. Three prototypes built (two flying and one static test).{{sfn|Francillon|1989|p=334}} 
;F9F-6 : Initial production version; redesignated '''F-9F''' in 1962, 646 built.
;F9F-6P : Photo-reconnaissance versions; redesignated '''RF-9F''' in 1962, 60 built.
;F9F-6PD : Drone director aircraft, converted from F9F-6Ps; redesignated '''DF-9F''' in 1962.
;F9F-6D : Drone director aircraft, converted from F9F-6s; redesignated '''DF-9F''' in 1962.
;F9F-6K : Unmanned drone for combat training, converted from F9F-6s; redesignated '''QF-9F''' in 1962.
;F9F-6K2 : An improved version of the F9F-6K target drone; redesignated '''QF-9G''' in 1962.
;F9F-7 : Built with the [[Allison J33]] engine; most were converted to take J48s; redesignated '''F-9H''' in 1962, 168 built.
;F9F-8 : Longer center fuselage, strengthened canopy, redesigned wing, increased fuel capacity, and the ability to carry AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles; redesignated '''F-9J''' in 1962, 601 built.
;YF9F-8B : Prototype for a single-seat attack-fighter aircraft converted from a F9F-8; later redesignated '''YAF-9J'''.
;F9F-8B : F9F-8s converted into single-seat attack-fighters; later redesignated '''AF-9J'''.
;F9F-8P : Photo-reconnaissance versions built from F9F-8s; later redesignated '''RF-9J''', 110 built.
;YF9F-8T : One F9F-8 aircraft converted into a prototype for the F9F-8T training aircraft; later redesignated '''YTF-9J'''.
;F9F-8T : Two-seat trainers built from F9F-8s; redesignated '''TF-9J''' in 1962, 399 built.
;NTF-9J : Two TF-9Js used for special test duties.
;YF9F-9: Original designation of the [[Grumman F-11 Tiger|YF11F-1 Tiger]] prototypes. First flight was on 30 July 1954; redesignated in April 1955.

==Operators==
[[File:F9F Cougar & F4U COAN ARA.jpg|thumb|An F9F Cougar and various [[Vought F4U Corsair|F4U Corsairs]] from the Argentine Navy]]
;{{ARG}}
* [[Argentine Navy]] – [[Argentine Naval Aviation]]
;{{USA}}
* [[United States Navy]]
* [[United States Marine Corps]]

==Aircraft on display==
[[File:Memorial Photo 1.jpg|thumb|The "Blue Jet". An F9F-6P sits in front of the [[Town of Tonawanda Veterans Memorial]].]]
[[File:Grumman F9F Cougar.JPG|thumb|F9F-7 in the [[Cradle of Aviation Museum]]]]
[[File:Grumman F9F-8 Cougar 1955 IMG 2107.JPG|thumb|F9F-8 with [[Folding wing|wings folded]] aboard {{USS|Intrepid|CV-11|6}}, New York City]]
[[File:Grumman F9F-8T 3-A-151.jpg|thumb|F9F-8T at the Argentine Naval Aviation Museum]]
[[File:Grumman TF-9J Cougar Blue Angel RSideFront EASM 4Feb2010 (14590998235).jpg|thumb|''[[Blue Angels]]'' TF-9J at the [[Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum]]]]

===Argentina===
;F9F-8T
* 0516/3-A-151 (Argentine Navy) – Argentine Naval Aviation Museum (''Museo de la Aviacion Naval'' - MUAN) at [[Bahía Blanca]], Argentina.<ref name="InstAeroNav-F9F">{{harvnb|Cicalesi|Rivas|2008}}</ref>

===United States===
;F9F-6
* 126670 – in storage at the [[National Air and Space Museum]], [[Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility]], [[Suitland, Maryland]].<ref>[http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?object=nasm_A19750601000 "F9F Cougar/126670"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121153912/http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?object=nasm_A19750601000 |date=2015-01-21 }} ''Smithsonian, National Air Museum.'' Retrieved: 12 January 2015.</ref>
* 128109 – [[National Naval Aviation Museum]] at [[NAS Pensacola]], [[Florida]].<ref name="NNAM">{{Cite web |url=http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=f9f-6_cougar |title=F9F-6 COUGAR |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=www.navalaviationmuseum.org |archive-date=2015-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318101717/http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=f9f-6_cougar |url-status=bot: unknown }}|archive-url= |archive-date=05 January 2024</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=F9F-6 Cougar |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nnam/explore/collections/aircraft/f/f9f-6-cougar.html |website=NHHC |publisher=www.history.navy.mil |access-date=5 November 2023}}</ref>
* 127236 – New Iberia Veterans Memorial Building, [[New Iberia, Louisiana]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nivmb.com/html/building.html|title = Pictures of Building}}</ref>
;F9F-6P
* unknown – The [[Town of Tonawanda Veterans Memorial]] in the [[Tonawanda (town), New York|Town of Tonawanda]], [[New York (state)|New York]].<ref name="Adamczyk 2009">Adamczyk, Ed. [http://www.tonawanda-news.com/archivesearch/local_story_226003956.html "Honoring those who served, and everyone else."] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130105032657/http://www.tonawanda-news.com/archivesearch/local_story_226003956.html |date=2013-01-05 }} ''Tonawanda News,'' 14 August 2009.</ref> The aircraft has been on display since 1959 and in 2009 was refurbished when the new Town of Tonawanda Veterans Memorial was created.<ref name="Adamczyk 2009"/>
* 127484 – Former Marine Corps aircraft has been a ground display for children to play on in Boysen Park in [[Anaheim, California]], since about 1960. For safety reasons, in 1967 the aircraft was coated in gunite to cover sharp edges that had developed.<ref>[http://goodall.com.au/warbirds-directory-v6/grumman.pdf "Warbird Directory: Grumman Page 92"] Retrieved: 26 September 2022</ref><ref name="Anaheim Magazine Winter 2006 A Jet Fueled by Imagination">{{cite journal|last1=Brown |first1=Suzi |last2= Ebbing |first2=Mike |last3= Moreno |first3= Nikki |last4= Newell |first4= Jane |last5= Schinderle |first5= Meghan |last6= Vera |first6= Karen |last7= Yuhas |first7= Phil  |editor-last1=Nicoletti |editor-first1=John James |editor-last2=Fontes |editor-first2=Linda |title=A Jet Fueled by Imagination |url=https://www.anaheim.net/DocumentCenter/View/66/2005-Winter-#page=16 |journal=Anaheim Magazine |department=Features |location=Anaheim, California |publisher=City of Anaheim |date=Winter 2006 |access-date=17 March 2024 |pages=14–15 }}</ref>
;F9F-7
* 130763 – [[Cradle of Aviation]] Museum in [[Garden City, New York]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Grumman F9F-7 Cougar at the Cradle of Aviation Museum|url=https://www.cradleofaviation.org/history/exhibits/exhibit-galleries/the_jet_age/grumman_f9f-7_cougar.html|access-date=2023-02-20|website=www.cradleofaviation.org|language=en}}</ref>
;F9F-8
* 131063 – [[Texas Air Museum]] in [[Slaton, Texas]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=F9F-8 – Texas Air Museum|url=https://thetexasairmuseum.org/f9f-8/|access-date=2023-02-20|language=en-US}}</ref>
* 131230 – [[National Naval Aviation Museum]], [[NAS Pensacola]], Florida.<ref name="NNAM"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Aircraft Photo of 131230 {{!}} Grumman F-9J (F9F-8) Cougar {{!}} USA - Navy {{!}} AirHistory.net #235092 |url=https://www.airhistory.net/photo/235092/131230 |website=AirHistory.net |access-date=5 November 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
* 131232 – [[Museum of Flight]] in [[Seattle, Washington]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Grumman F9F-8 (F-9J) Cougar &#124; The Museum of Flight|url=https://www.museumofflight.org/exhibits-and-events/aircraft/grumman-f9f-8-f-9j-cougar|access-date=2023-02-20|website=Museum of Flight|language=en}}</ref>
* 138876 – [[Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum]] in [[Pueblo, Colorado]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=EXHIBITS & DISPLAYS|url=https://pwam.org/exhibits-displays/|access-date=2023-02-20|website=Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum|language=en-US|archive-date=2023-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405223854/https://pwam.org/exhibits-displays/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 141117 – [[Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum]] in [[New York, New York]].  It is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation. It was built in Grumman's Bethpage factory in 1955 and retired from active service in 1965. It previously served as a gate guard for Naval Weapons Station Earle, and later was displayed at a playground in Wall Township, NJ.  Restored to wear the colors of fighter squadron VF-61, which flew from {{USS|Intrepid|CV-11|6}} in 1956.<ref>[http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/AircraftGuide.aspx "F9F Cougar/141117."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219175037/http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/AircraftGuide.aspx |date=2016-12-19 }} ''Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum'' Retrieved: 15 January 2015.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.intrepidmuseum.org/CougarJoinsIntrepid|title = Grumman Cougar Joins Elite Aircraft Collection}}</ref>
* 141121 – [[Pima Air & Space Museum]], adjacent to [[Davis-Monthan AFB]], in [[Tucson, Arizona]].<ref>[http://www.pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/grumman-taf-9j-cougar "F9F Cougar/141121."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224044633/http://www.pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/grumman-taf-9j-cougar |date=2015-02-24 }} ''Pima Air & Space Museum.'' Retrieved: 15 January 2015.</ref>
* 144275 – [[Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum]] in [[McMinnville, Oregon]].  It is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation and is painted to represent the narrator's aircraft for the U.S. Navy [[Blue Angels]] precision flight demonstration team.<ref>[http://www.evergreenmuseum.org/the-museum/aircraft-exhibits/military-aircrafts/ "F9F Cougar/147275."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206162346/http://www.evergreenmuseum.org/the-museum/aircraft-exhibits/military-aircrafts/ |date=2011-12-06 }} ''Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum.'' Retrieved: 30 October 2012.</ref>
;F9F-8B
* 144276 – [[Patuxent River Naval Air Museum]] in [[Lexington Park, Maryland]].<ref name=PRNAM/>
;F9F-8P
* 141675 – [[Yanks Air Museum]] in [[Chino, California]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-01-28|title=Grumman RF-9J Cougar (F9F-8P)|url=https://www.yanksair.org/collection/grumman-g-79-panther-f9f-9-fr-9j/|access-date=2023-02-20|website=Yanks Air Museum|language=en-US|archive-date=2023-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220205259/https://www.yanksair.org/collection/grumman-g-79-panther-f9f-9-fr-9j/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Aircraft Inquiry|url=https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=9256|access-date=2023-02-20|website=registry.faa.gov}}</ref>
* 141702 – [[USS Midway Museum]] in [[San Diego, California]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aircraft Gallery|url=https://www.midway.org/exhibits-activities/exhibits/aircraft-gallery/|access-date=2023-02-20|website=USS Midway Museum|language=en-US}}</ref>
* 141722 – [[Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum]], [[MCAS Miramar]] in [[San Diego, California]].<ref>[http://flyingleathernecks.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Aircraft_Listing.pdf "F9F Cougar/141722."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011185627/http://flyingleathernecks.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Aircraft_Listing.pdf |date=2017-10-11 }} ''Flying Letherneck Aviation Museum.'' Retrieved: 15 January 2015.</ref>
* 144388 – [[Estrella Warbird Museum]] in [[Paso Robles, California]].<ref>[http://www.ewarbirds.org/f9.html "F9F Cougar/144388."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121163733/http://www.ewarbirds.org/f9.html |date=2015-01-21 }} ''Estrella Warbird Museum.'' Retrieved: 21 January 2015.</ref> 
* 144426 – [[Pima Air & Space Museum]], adjacent to [[Davis-Monthan AFB]] in [[Tucson, Arizona]].<ref>[http://www.pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/grumman-rf-9j-cougar "F9F Cougar/144426."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224044622/http://www.pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/grumman-rf-9j-cougar |date=2015-02-24 }} ''Pima Air & Space Museum.'' Retrieved: 15 January 2015.</ref>
* 144402 – [[Military Aviation Preservation Society]], [[M.A.P.S.]] in [[Canton, Ohio]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-06|title=Grumman F9F-8P "Cougar" - MAPS Air Museum|url=https://mapsairmuseum.org/grumman-f9f-8-cougar/|access-date=2023-02-20|language=en-US}}</ref>
;F9F-8T
* 142442 – The Town of [[Woodridge, New York]].<ref>[http://forjets.netfirms.com/page15.html "F9F Cougar/142442."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407093041/http://forjets.netfirms.com/page15.html |date=2014-04-07 }} ''The Town of Woodridge NY.'' Retrieved:  21 April 2014.</ref>
* 147276 – [[USS Lexington (CV-16)#USS Lexington Museum|USS Lexington Museum]] in [[Corpus Christi, Texas]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-04-05|title=F9F-8T COUGAR &#124; USS LEXINGTON|url=https://usslexington.com/portfolio/f9f-8t-cougar/|access-date=2023-02-20|language=en}}</ref>
* 147283 – [[Air Zoo]] in [[Kalamazoo, Michigan]].<ref>[http://www.airzoo.org/page.php?menu_id=137 "F9F Cougar/147283."] ''Air Zoo. '' Retrieved: 15 January 2015.</ref>
* 147385 – {{USS|Yorktown|CV-10}} at the [[Patriot's Point]] Naval and Maritime Museum in [[Mount Pleasant, South Carolina]].<ref>[http://www.patriotspoint.org/pdf/aircraft/tf-9j_cougar.pdf "F9F Cougar/147385."] ''Patriot's Point Naval & Maritime Museum.'' Retrieved: 30 October 2012.</ref>
* 147397 – [[Pima Air & Space Museum]], adjacent to [[Davis-Monthan AFB]] in [[Tucson, Arizona]].<ref>[http://www.pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/grumman-tf-9j-cougar "F9F Cougar/147397."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224044637/http://www.pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/grumman-tf-9j-cougar |date=2015-02-24 }} ''Pima Air & Space Museum.'' Retrieved: 15 January 2015.</ref>
* 142985 – Hickory Aviation Museum, Hickory Regional Airport (KHKY) in [[Hickory, North Carolina]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hickory Aviation Museum|url=http://www.hickoryaviationmuseum.org/welcome.html|access-date=2023-02-20|website=Hickory Aviation Museum|language=en|archive-date=2023-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220205300/http://www.hickoryaviationmuseum.org/welcome.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 147418 – [[James Clemens High School]] part of the [[Madison City Schools]] district in [[Madison, Alabama]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yellowhammernews.com/restored-fighter-jet-lands-at-madisons-james-clemens-high-school/|title=Restored fighter jet lands at Madison's James Clemens High School|first=Brandon|last=Moseley|date=September 17, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://whnt.com/news/madison/james-clemens-high-school-witnesses-touch-down-of-new-mascot/|title=James Clemens High School witnesses 'touch down' of new mascot|date=June 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://themadisonrecord.com/2023/06/15/fighter-jet-has-touched-down-on-the-james-clemens-high-school-campus/|title=Fighter jet touches down on James Clemens High School campus|first=John|last=Few|date=June 15, 2023|website=The Madison Record}}</ref>

==Specifications (F9F-6/F-9F)==
[[File:Grumman F9F-8 Cougar 3-view line drawing.png|frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the Grumman F9F-8 Cougar]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref= NAVAIR : Standard Aircraft Characteristics F9F-6 "Cougar" 1 July 1953,<ref name=SAC53>{{cite book |title=Standard Aircraft Characteristics F9F-6 "Cougar" |date=1 July 1953 |url=https://www.aahs-online.org/images/Navy_SAC/F9F-6.pdf |via= American Aviation Historical Society |publisher=Navair |access-date=9 September 2023}}</ref> Navair: Standard Aircraft Characteristics F9F-6 "Cougar" 1 July 1967<ref name=SAC67>{{cite book |title=Standard Aircraft Characteristics F9F-6 "Cougar" |url=https://www.avialogs.com/component/phocadownload/category/1488-contribs?download=3383:0003537-avialogs-1003125-f-9f-cougar-sac-1-july-1967 |via=Avialogs |publisher=Navair |access-date=29 March 2016}}</ref>
|prime units?= imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew= 1
|length ft= 40
|length in= 11
|length note=
|span ft= 34
|span in= 6
|span note=
|height ft= 12
|height in= 3.5
|height note=<br/>
* '''Height folded:''' {{cvt|15|ft|10|in|1}} (wing-tips)
|width ft= 14
|width in= 2
|width note= folded (tailplane span)
|wing area sqft= 300
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio= 4
|airfoil= [[NACA airfoil|NACA 64A010]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight lb= 11,483
|empty weight note=<br/>
* '''Empty equipped:''' {{cvt|12090|lb|0}}
|gross weight lb= 15,800
|gross weight note=<br/>
* '''Combat weight:''' {{cvt|16244|lb|0}}
|max takeoff weight lb= 21,000
|max takeoff weight note= on land
::::{{cvt|20000|lb|0}} from catapult
* '''Maximum landing weight:''' {{cvt|16000|lb|0}} on land
:::: {{cvt|14000|lb|0}} arrested landing
|fuel capacity={{cvt|763|USgal|impgal l}} in two fuselage tanks and {{cvt|156|USgal|impgal l}} in four wing leading edge tanks; total {{cvt|919|USgal|impgal l}}
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number= 1
|eng1 name= [[Pratt & Whitney J48-P-8]]
|eng1 type= [[centrifugal-flow turbojet]] engine
|eng1 lbf= 7,250
|eng1 note= at 11,000 rpm for take-off / Military power at sea level
::::{{cvt|5600|lbf|kN|2}} at 10,450 rpm maximum continuous at sea level
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph= 654
|max speed note= at sea level at {{cvt|18450|lb|0}} TOW
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed mph= 541
|cruise speed note= at {{cvt|41200|-|45000|ft}}
|stall speed mph= 128
|stall speed note= at {{cvt|18450|lb|0}} TOW power off
::::{{cvt|107|mph|kn km/h|0}} at {{cvt|15157|lb|0}} with approach power
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|range miles=
|range note=
|combat range miles= 293
|combat range note=with one hour and 24 minutes of mission time
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft= 44,500
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<big>+</big>7.5 at {{cvt|15800|lb|0}}; <big>+</big>5.5 at MTOW
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ftmin= 6,750
|climb rate note= at sea level at {{cvt|18450|lb|0}} TOW
|time to altitude=<br />
:*{{cvt|20000|ft}} in four minutes at {{cvt|18450|lb|0}} TOW
:*{{cvt|30000|ft}} in six minutes and 48 seconds at {{cvt|18450|lb|0}} TOW
|lift to drag=
|wing loading lb/sqft= 61.5
|wing loading note= at {{cvt|18450|lb|0}} TOW
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|thrust/weight=

|more performance=
* '''Take-off run:''' {{cvt|2100|ft|0}} at {{cvt|18450|lb|0}} TOW in nil wind
::::{{cvt|1360|ft|0}} at {{cvt|18450|lb|0}} TOW in {{cvt|29|mph|kn km/h|0}} wind
<!--*'''Take-off distance to {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
* '''Landing run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
* '''Landing distance from {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}-->
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns= 4 × 20 mm (0.79 in) [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404|AN/M3 cannon]], 190 rounds per gun
|rockets= 6 × 5 in (127 mm) rockets
|bombs= 2 × 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs on inboard pylons plus 2 x 500 lb (227 kg) bombs on outer pylons<ref name="Elward p72"/>
|avionics=
* '''Radar ranging''' - [[AN/APG-30]]
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Grumman F9F Panther]]
* [[Grumman F-11 Tiger]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Dassault Ouragan]]
* [[Douglas F4D Skyray]]
* [[Hawker Sea Hawk]]
* [[McDonnell F3H Demon]]
* [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17]]
|lists=
* [[List of fighter aircraft]]
* [[List of military aircraft of the United States]]
|see also
}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last1 = Angelucci |first1 = Enzo |first2 = Peter |last2 = Bowers |title = The American Fighter |location = Sparkford, UK |publisher = Haynes |date = 1987 |isbn = 0-85429-635-2}}
* {{cite web |url = http://www.institutoaeronaval.org/Artículos/Historia/Grumman-Panther-en-Argentina.html |title = Grumman Panther en Argentina |trans-title = Grumman Panther in Argentina |last1 = Cicalesi |first1 = Juan Carlos |last2 = Rivas |first2 = Santiago |language = es |date = 22 December 2008 |website = Instituto Aeronaval - Articulos - Historia |publisher = Instituto Aeronaval |access-date = 28 August 2014  |url-status = usurped |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141029225043/http://www.institutoaeronaval.org/Art%C3%ADculos/Historia/Grumman-Panther-en-Argentina.html |archive-date = 29 October 2014 }}
* {{cite book |last = Elward |first = Brad |title = Grumman F9F Panther/Cougar |location = North Branch, Minnesota, US |publisher = Specialty Press |date = 2010 |isbn = 978-1-58007-145-1}}
* {{cite book |last = Francillon |first = René J. |title = Grumman Aircraft since 1929 |year=1989 |location=London, UK |publisher = Putnam |isbn = 0-85177-835-6}}
* {{cite book |last = Kinzey |first = Bert |title = F9F Cougar in Detail & Scale |location = Fallbrook, California |publisher = Aero Publishers |date = 1983 |isbn = 978-0-8168-5024-2}}
* {{cite magazine |last = Mersky |first = Peter |title = Flying Cougars and Other Unusual Aircraft in Vietnam |magazine = Aviation News magazine |volume = 18 |number = 7 |date = 31 August 1989 |pages = 320–322}}
* {{cite book |last = Neubeck |first = Ken |title = F9F Cougar Walk Around |location = Carrollton, Texas, US |publisher = Squadron/Signal Publications |date = 2012 |isbn = 978-0-89747-666-9}}
* {{cite book |last1 = Swanborough |first1 = Gordon |first2 = Peter M. |last2 = Bowers |title = United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 |location = Annapolis, Maryland |publisher = Naval Institute Press |date = 1990 |isbn = 0-87021-792-5}}
* {{cite book |last = Thomason |first = Tommy H. |title =  U.S. Naval Air Superiority: Development of Shipborne Jet Fighters, 1943-1962 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=XkYcBQAAQBAJ |publisher = Specialty Press |date = 2008 |isbn = 978-1-580-07110-9}}
* {{cite book |last = Winchester |first = Jim |title = American Military Aircraft |date = 2005 |location = New York, US |publisher = Metro Books |pages = 186–187 |isbn = 978-1-4351-5697-5}}

==Further reading==
{{commons category|Grumman F9F Cougar}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Núñez Padin |first1=Jorge Felix |title=Grumman F9F Panther & Cougar |year=2010 |editor-first=Jorge Felix |editor-last=Núñez Padin |publisher=Fuerzas Aeronavales |series=Serie Aeronaval |volume=29 |language=es |isbn=978-987-1682-03-4 |location=Bahía Blanca, Argentina |url=http://www.fuerzasaeronavales.com/?product=libro-grumman-f9f-phanter-cougar-serie-aeronaval-no29 |access-date=26 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106133208/http://www.fuerzasaeronavales.com/?product=libro-grumman-f9f-phanter-cougar-serie-aeronaval-no29 |archive-date=6 January 2015 }}
*{{cite journal |last1=Rivas |first1=Santiago |title=Argentina's Big Cats: The Grumman F9F-2 Panther & F9F-8T Cougar in Argentinian Navy Service |journal=The Aviation Historian |date=2023 |issue=43 |pages=104–112 |issn=2051-1930}}

{{Grumman aircraft}}
{{USN fighters}}
{{US fighters}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Grumman F09F6 Cougar}}
[[Category:Grumman aircraft|F-009 Cougar]]
[[Category:1950s United States fighter aircraft|Grumman F-09 Cougar]]
[[Category:Single-engined jet aircraft]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Carrier-based aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1951]]
[[Category:Cruciform tail aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]