The Grumman F9F Panther was one of the U.S. Navy’s first successful carrier-based jet fighters and played an important role in bringing naval aviation into the jet age. Entering service in 1949, the Panther featured straight wings, a single jet engine, and four powerful 20mm cannons, and could also carry bombs and rockets for ground-attack missions. It saw extensive combat during the Korean War, where Navy and Marine Corps Panthers flew thousands of missions from aircraft carriers against enemy aircraft, troops, transportation networks, and other targets. Although soon surpassed by newer swept-wing fighters, the Panther proved rugged, dependable, and well suited to carrier operations. It was also flown by the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration team and became an important stepping stone in the rapid development of American carrier-based jet aviation during the 1950s.