The F9F-8T Cougar was a two-seat trainer used by the Navy for advanced training, weapons training and carrier training. The aircraft played an important role in the training of pilots who would later fly combat missions in Vietnam. They were armed with twin 20mm cannon in the nose and could carry 1,000-pound bombs or four Sidewinder air-to-air missiles under the wings.
In 1955, the Navy's Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels, transitioned to flying F9F-8 Cougars, the first swept-wing aircraft used by the Team. The Blue Angels flew Cougars until 1957.
In 1962, the F9F-8T was redesignated the TF-9J, and oddly enough, was the only version of the Cougar to see combat. They were used in the airborne command role to direct airstrikes against enemy positions in South Vietnam.
VT-4 was the last squadron to use TF-9Js. By February 1974, they had all been retired.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Wingspan - 34' 6'
- Length - 44' 6"
- Height - 12' 3"
- Gross Weight - 20,600 lbs
- Armament - Four 20-mm cannon, two 1,000-lb bombs, four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles
- Power Plant - One 7,200# S.T. Pratt & Whitney J48-P-8A turbojet
- Max Speed - 705 mph
- Range - 600 miles
- Service Ceiling - 50,000'
This A-4 is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola, Florida.
Click on a plane to view it's description.
|
