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Grumman F9F-8T (TF-9J) 'Cougar'

Description
  Manufacturer:Grumman


  Base model:F9F
  Designation:F9F
  Version:-8T
  Nickname:Cougar
  Equivalent to: TF-9J TF9JTF-9J
  Designation System:U.S. Navy / Marines
  Designation Period:1922-1962
  Basic role:Fighter
  Modified Mission:Trainer
  See Also:

Specifications
  Length: 44' 4" 13.5 m
  Height:12' 3" 3.7 m
  Wingspan: 34' 6" 10.5 m
  Wingarea: 337.0 sq ft 31.3 sq m
  Empty Weight: 12,787 lb 5,799 kg
  Gross Weight: 16,698 lb 7,572 kg
  Max Weight: 20,574 lb 9,330 kg

Propulsion
  No. of Engines: 1
  Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney J48-P-8A
  Thrust (each): 7,250 lb 3,287 kg

Performance
  Range: 600 miles 966 km
  Cruise Speed: 475 mph 764 km/h 412 kt
  Max Speed: 630 mph 1,014 km/h 548 kt
  Climb: 4,800 ft/min 1,462 m/min
  Ceiling: 43,000 ft 13,106 m


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 Terry Schwerdtfeger
 Coquille, OR
I was stationed VA-125 at NAS Lemoore,from 1963 to 1964, were I served as a Yoeman, assigned to operations. While we flew the F4's, we used the TF9J's for two seat trainers. I was fortnuate enough to have been approved for ground school so that I could be one of 13 observer pilots at that time. I did get an opprotunity to fly in the trainer with a pilot who needed more flight hours to qualify for his flight pay. Oh, yes, I did have an in as I also kept his flight log as one of my duties. This was one of the most thrilling events in my life, the next one down would be serving as Operations Yeoman on a few carriers that we deployed to for two weeks at a time for carrier qualifications.... working the Ready Room was fantastic.
09/26/2007 @ 11:49 [ref: 18014]
 L/CPL BRIAN O\'SULLIVAN
 NORTON, MA
I worked in the engine shop of VMT-1 from 64-67,and remember my most harrowing experience being a day when I had to go down the intake of the plane that had just come out of overhaul to adjust the fuel control, (a device much like a carburator).A plane captain was at the controls and as the aircraft started, we got what was known as a wet start (which was a long flame coming from the tailpipe) because it was getting too much raw fuel from mis-adjustment of the fuel control.The only way to put out the flame was to run the plane up to 100%.I thought I would be sucked into the engines spinning turbine, but there was a screen fence around the turbine blades preventing that from happening. It was the scariest event I can remember.I thought the beast may have gotten a meal that day. As happened, once the throttle was run up to about 80% the flame was extinguished, much to my delight. Needless to say I had to check my shorts that day!Semper FI
12/30/2006 @ 14:59 [ref: 15045]
 Jerry Mixon
 Islandton, SC
I was a plane captain in Kingsville Tx. in 1968, VT22...The f9s still had alot to offer the students,the f9s still carry a good punch. it was always a trusted plane to fly or take that back seat ride...then came the A4s........god bless
11/24/2006 @ 19:37 [ref: 14836]
 Ronald Johnson
 Westbrook, ME
I entered the Navy in June 1962. Did boot camp at San Diego,Ca. Sent to Millington, Tenn. for Jet engine training. Then was assigned to Training Squardon 25 (VT-25). Started out on the flight line as a plane captian. Was moved to power plant shop to work for a fellow named ADJC Tolliver. He inquired of if I would be intrested in training on intensive course AF9J/TF9J Grumman engine, which lead up to being one of only three enlisted people qualified for engine turnup in squardon. Did trouble shooting on flight line during launchs and also did my share of high power run ups after engine changes or adjustments on fuel pumps/fuel control. Reupped in 1966 and was sent to NAS Brunswick, Maine. Departed Navy in 1970.
09/18/2006 @ 18:08 [ref: 14205]
 JOHN BURGIN
 BIRMINGHAM, AL
We are in the process of moving a cougar from one museum to the southern museum of flight in Birmingham, this aircraft has been on outside display for about 25 years and I need some information on getting the wing folding pins released were they hydraulic or electric released. any info would be greatly appreciated john
12/02/2005 @ 16:47 [ref: 11861]
 Roger Jacobson
 Minneapolis, MN
I worked on the flight line for VMT-1 (2nd MAW) 1963-1966.
We had all TF-9J aircraft. One of the more "exciting"
memories was of changing the emergency ignitor cartridges.
We lived in fear of the pin coming out while trying to
unscrew the top cap. Eventually, it finally happened!
The pin came out! Fortunatly I was holding the bottom portion with water pumps. It flared beautifully!
Unfortunatly I laid it on the flap edge. It buckled the
metal considerably while going off. It seem to return
to a normal state after cooling off (the wing metal).
So, I let it go. (Lucky I guess!)
07/29/2005 @ 15:59 [ref: 10880]
 Jim Young
 Austin, TX
My grandfather, LCDR William F. Augustine was in VT-23 in '68-69 (or longer). He passed away 2 weeks ago; and he left me all his flight logs. Any chance anyone happened to know him? I'd love an old "war story"...
07/19/2005 @ 17:55 [ref: 10791]
 robert d. alderman
 ft. lauderdale, fl 33334, FL
i was an instructor in vt-23 from sept 1965 to feb 1967. i am trying to locate any photo of the tf-9j(two place trainer. if any one has one could you please notify me by e-mail or call me at 954-564-4651
08/09/2004 @ 18:52 [ref: 8016]
 Jim Stavely
 Lexington, TN
I was stationed in Beeville Texas in VT-24 from 1969 to 1971.
Once I was on the back row of 24's line tieing down aircraft and securing them for the weekend. It was the end of the shift and it was raining. I was securing the cockpit and decided to close the canopy in order to keep the seat and chute dry. When I was done, I tried to open the canopy. The canopy only moved about an inch when the battery died.
I tried to de-clutch the canopy and slide it back.......no go.I could see the line crew leave for the weekend and the lights went out in the line shack. They thought I had split and did not bother to look for me. I was stuck in the cockpit out on the fourth row. I waited a while to let the battery build up a little then tried again. The battery would last long enough to move the canopy about a quarter inch at a time.
I did this for an hour or two and after getting out, I was able to release the canopy from the outside and push it closed.
I never did see a line watch. I left a note on the door of maint. control. Would have been a bad deal if a pilot found out the canopy would not manualy open in an emergency situation.
We had a new guy in 24 who would come up "missing " in the middle of the shift just about evey night. One night somebody saw where he was going. He would crawl into an intake and take a nap. When we discovered this, I ran and got an NC-5 and a turn qualled troubleshooter jumped in the cockpit. A couple of other guys grabbed a duct plug and held it in place. Somebody stomped around on the wing to wake him up. I cranked up the NC-5 and the troubleshooter windmilled the engine. The new guy about peed his pants.
He was so scared he about knocked the two guys down when he kicked the duct plug out. We didn't have that problem with him again.
Jim
07/02/2004 @ 13:47 [ref: 7735]
 Bob KNOTTS (MCPO,USN-RET.)
 , AZ
While stationed at NAS Alameda in the 1958-60 time frame, I was elected to shoot motion pictures of a radio disc jockey going thru the low pressure chamber and ejection seat check out. When the training squadron from I think Moffett Field or Miramar came up with a F9F-8T to take the DJ for a ride, a pilot came into the photo lab to see if anyone was qualified to fly in jets. I raised my hand, and probably jumped up and down. It seems the squadron brought two planes, just in case one died. So I went up, and shot motion pictures of the other plane doing mild rolls, loops, etc at 30,000 to 35,000 feet above San Francisco and the bay area. I also took along a couple of extra rolls of 16mm color film, which I shot, and gave to the squadron. They called me later, and were very happy with the color film.
03/17/2004 @ 00:35 [ref: 6995]

 

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