Hobby Master 1:48 Air Power Series Diecast Model

Grumman F9F-5 Panther – "The Blue Tail Fly", VF-153, USS Princeton , U.S. Navy, 1953

1:48 Scale.  Length: 9.25".  Wingspan: 9.5"


Limited production of approximately 350 models worldwide

Two Grumman F9F Panthers from VF-153 suffered AA fire damage. One Panther wore a natural metal finish and had its tail section destroyed while 126652 wore a glossy sea blue scheme and had its forward section destroyed so it was decide to mate the good sections from each aircraft to produce one airworthy Panther; 126652 “Blue Tail Fly”. The unique aircraft flew 12 missions in this configuration before being sent for a complete rebuild. It returned to service with VF-63 and later VMF-115, VMF-311, VMA-224 and in 1958 placed in storage.

The Grumman F9F Panther was the most widely used US Navy jet fighter of the Korean War. It flew 78,000 sorties and was responsible for the first US Navy air kill in the war - the downing of a North Korean Yakovlev Yak-9 fighter on July 3 1950. A total of 1,382 F9F Panther's were built

Hobby Master offers a wide selection of quality, pre-assembled, diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted to a high level of accuracy using specifications of the original aircraft. They are constructed with precision-made diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of an F9F Panther features: