F9F-8P Cougar

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Cougar F9F8P #948

1955 - 1959

The Cougar was a swept-wing development of the straight-winged F9F Panther fighter series, and first flew in the form of the XF9F-6 prototype in September 1951. Apart from the flying surfaces, which had a leading-edge sweep of 35°, the Cougar had spoilers in place of ailerons, larger flaps, fixed leading-edge camber in place of leading-edge slats, and wing fences. The F9F-6 production model entered service in November 1952, and included in the variant's production total of 706 were 60 F9F-6P camera-carrying reconnaissance aircraft.

The F9F-8 version introduced a broader chord wing and a fuselage lengthened by 8 in (0.203 m) for additional internal fuel capacity. Production of this definitive model totaled 712 aircraft including 110 examples of the F9F-8P reconnaissance with an extensively modified nose carrying cameras. In 1962, surviving F9F-6P and F9F-8P aircraft were re-designated RF-9F and RF-9J respectively.
Principal versions
F9F-6P (reconnaissance model) and F9F-8P (improved reconaissance model).

Camera Windows on Cougar F9F 8P

—MODIFICATIONS OF F9F-8 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:
a. Rearrangement of electronics equipment installed in the area enclosed by the fuselage nose section, lengthening of this section by 12 inches, and shortening of the sliding nose section.
b. Rearrangement of the left and right consoles and the main instrument panel to provide space for the controls associated with the additional equipment.
c. 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.
d. Removal of all armament and the Armament Control System, removal of AN/APG-30 system and installation of an additional armor plate bulkhead.

—TECHNICAL DATA —

Type: Grumman F9F-8P Cougar single-seat carrier-borne reconnaissance aeroplane.
Engine: one 7,200-lb (3,266-kg) thrust Pratt & Whitney J48-P-8A turbojet.
Performance: maximum speed 705 mph (1,266 km/h) at sea level; cruising speed 584 MPH; climb rate 5,750 ft/min (29.2 m/s); Service Ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,240 m); range 600 miles (966 km) {More with drop tanks}.
Weights: empty 11,866 lb (5,382 kg); maximum take-off 20,000 lb (9,072 kg).
Dimensions: span 34 ft 6 in (10.52 m) span (wings folded) 14ft 2 in; length 44 ft 5 in (13.54 m); height 12 ft 3 in (3.73 m) height (wings folded) 15 ft 10 in; wing area 337.0 sq ft (31.31 m2).
Armament: none.

General Arrangement F9F-6P, specifically the photographic reconnaissance parts

F9F-6P Cabin Interior Forward
Some of the controls are shown here in this Forward Cabin Interior View
1. Landing Gear Emergency (Air) Control Handle
2. Wheels and Flaps Position Indicator
3. Tachometer
4. Oil Pressure Indicator
5. Speed Brakes Position Indicator
6. Location of Absolute Stabilizer Position Indicator
7. Low Fuel Boost Pressure Warning Light
8. Wide Angle-Drift Selector Switch
9. Filter Selector Switch
10. Illumination Dual Control Rheostat
11. Radio Altimeter
12. Viewfinder Power Switch
13. Elapsed Time Clock
14. Grid Rotation Switch
15. Camera Operating Indicator Lights
16. Viewfinder Eyepiece
17. Film Failure Indicator Lights
18. Accelerometer
19. Clock
20. Fire Warning Lights
21. Stand-by Compass
22. Low Fuel Level Warning Light
23. Fuel Quantity Indicator Push-to-Test Switch Button
24. Fire Warning Light Circuit Test Switch
25. Fuel Flow meter
26. Arresting Hook Position Warning Light
27. Cabin Altimeter
28. Arresting Hook and Barrier Guard Control Handle
29. Arresting Hook Raising Switch Button
30. Fuel Quantity Indicator
31. Radio Compass Indicator
32. Rate of Climb Indicator
33. Gyro Horizon Indicator
34. Turn and Bank Indicator
35. G-2 Remote Compass Indicator
36. Airspeed Indicator
37. Altimeter
38. Tailpipe Temperature Indicator
39. Location of Landing Gear Control, Down Lock Solenoid, Manual Release Knob
40. Airstart Emergency Igniter System Control Handle
41. Landing Gear Normal Control Handle and Landing Gear Unlocked Warning Light