Technical Specification History of the Grumman F9F Panther

The Awesome R/C F9F Panther is a semi scale ARF model of Grumman’s first ever jet powered aircraft. It
features advanced light weight construction and an accurate scale outline. For added realism, air operated
retractable landing gear is available, as is an optional turbine conversion kit for powering the Panther with
a 6kg class gas turbine engine.
Technical Specification
Wingspan: 1829mm (72”) - Length: 1800mm (70.85”) - Engine: 5” Ducted Fan unit with
O.S 91 VR-DF engine rec’d (6kg class gas turbine engine with optional turbine conversion kit)
Radio: 5 - 8 channels (8 to 10 servos required depending on options fitted)
Weight: - Approx. dry weight with retractable landing and ducted fan power 7.25kg (16lbs)
Functions: - Ailerons, Elevators, Rudder, Flaps. Throttle, Retracts (optional), In Flight Mixture
Control (optional), Brakes (for turbine use), Emergency Cut Off (for turbine use)
NOTE: In some countries brakes and emergency cut off are mandatory for gas turbine powered models.
History of the Grumman F9F Panther
Beginning life in 1946 as Design G-79, the Grumman XF9F-1 Panther was the company’s first serious
attempt to manufacture a jet powered aircraft. A Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet engine, later to be built
under license by Pratt & Whitney, was imported to power the XF9F-2 on its maiden flight on November
21, 1947. It could reach 20,000 ft in a little over 2 minutes and reach a top speed of 573 mph at that
altitude. Permanently mounted wing tip fuel tanks were added to the F9F-2 with this feature being
retained for all production Panthers.
In 1950, when the Korean War began, the F9F Panther made up the majority of the US Naval, carrier
based aircraft and in fact has the distinction of being the first US Navy aircraft to down a Russian built
Mig-15. Production ended with the dash 5 model in December 1952, but remained in service with the
US Marines until 1957.
Wingspan: 38 ft. (11.58m) Length: 38 ft. (11.58m)
Height: 12 ft. 3 in (3.73m)
Wing Area: 250 sq ft. (23.23 sq m)
Max. Speed: 604 mph (972 kmh) @ sea level
Cruising Speed: 481 mph (774 kmh)
Stall Speed: 131 mph (210 kmh)
Service Ceiling: 42,800 ft. (13,045 m)
Normal Range: 1,300 mi (2,092 kmh)
Climb Rate: 6,000 ft/min (1,828 m/min)
Armament: 4 x 20 mm cannon, 6 x 5” rockets
2,000 lbs (907.2 kg) bombs
Additional Items Required to Complete the Model:
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3 x 300mm (12”) Servo extension leads
4 x 600mm (24”) Servo extension leads
2 x 900mm (36”) Servo extension leads
Up to 3 ‘Y’ leads depending on radio system installed.
7 x Standard size high torque servos
2 x Standard servos (3 with in flight mixture control)
5” Ducted fan unit and 90 size ducted fan engine or 6kg class gas turbine
engine and optional turbine conversion kit
Tuned pipe (for ducted fan power only)
Tuned pipe mount (for ducted fan power only)
In-line fuel filter
Medium CA adhesive
12 or 30 Minute epoxy glue
Rubbing alcohol (methylated spirits)
Silicon adhesive
Cable ties
Masking tape
Course sand paper
‘Z’ bend pliers
Drill
2mm drill bit
Philips head screwdrivers (short and standard length)
High capacity receiver battery and switch harness
Safety Warnings
This R/C aircraft is not a toy and is designed for experienced modellers and pilots only. Serious
injury or damage to property can result through misuse and abuse. It is highly recommended that
this aircraft only be flown at a dedicated R/C flying site and that a qualified instructor thoroughly
checks the model before its first flight.
Your local hobby supplier should be able to assist you in regards to model flying clubs in your
area.
NOTE: Strict regulations often apply to the operation and flying of gas turbine powered aircraft.
Check with the relevant authorities in your area in regards to the local regulations and requirements for turbine powered models.
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Wings
Step 1.
Remove the plywood servo mounts from the wings.
Note that the servo mounting blocks are taped to the
underside of the servo tray.
Step 2.
Place the servo to be installed on the mounting tray
and mark the position where the mounting blocks
need to be attached. Secure the blocks in place with
epoxy glue. Mount the servo in position with the
mounting hardware supplied with the servo.
Hard point is visible under
the covering.
Step 3.
Apply some light weight silicon grease or Vaseline to
the pivot of each aileron and flap hinge. Glue each
hinge into the control surface using 30min epoxy
making sure that the hinge is square to the control
surface. Again, using 30min epoxy, secure the control
surfaces to the wing. IMPORTANT Make sure that
the plywood hard point for mounting the control horn,
is on the underside of the control surface!
Step 4.
Mount the control horns to each aileron and flap with
the screws provided and fit the servo trays with the
servos now installed into their appropriate mounting
bays. Note that a 300mm (12”) servo extension lead
will be required for each aileron servo. Measure and
make up the pushrods using a ‘Z’ bend at the servo
end of the pushrod.
Step 5.
Trial fit the alloy wing tubes into each wing panel.
With the alloy tube fully inserted, put a mark on each
tube level with the end of the wing panel.
Remove the tube and rough up the end of the tube
that is to be inserted into each wing panel with some
course sand paper.
Using 30min epoxy, glue the tube into the wing panel.
Step 6.
Complete each wing panel by fitting the wing tip
tanks. Remove the covering from each wing tip and
fix each tip tank in place with epoxy or silicon
adhesive.
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Fuselage & Tail.
Step 7.
Run a length of air line to each retract unit as the
airline nipples on the retract units can not be accessed
once they are screwed into the air frame.
Fit each unit in place then mark and drill pilot holes
into the mounting bearers. Secure the retract units with
the screws provided.
Note: While the instructions show the ASM retracts
being installed, other brand retracts would be installed
in a similar manner.
Step 8.
Fit the retract activation valve and servo into their
respective mounts on the left hand side of the fuselage under the canopy. Connect the servo using the
pushrod wire and clevis provided.
Mount the air fill valve in this same area.
Using silicon adhesive, secure the air tank in its
mounting holes on the right hand side of the fuselage under the canopy.
Step 9.
Using the ‘T’ pieces and airline provided, plumb the
retractable landing gear system as per the diagram
opposite.
Step 10.
Mount the nose wheel steering servo in place and connect
the servo to the nose leg with the included pull-pull cable
system. Once the pull-pull cable is assembled and the
cable retainers crimped, a few drops of CA adhesive
applied to the crimp is added security against the cable
coming loose.
The hinge on the nose gear door actuator is glued into the
slot in the front former using epoxy glue.
Once the retractable landing gear plumbing is complete, fill
the air tank and check the operation of the landing gear
and nose gear door. The gear door should be closed completely when the landing gear is retracted. Some adjustment of the wire maybe necessary.
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Step 11.
Using epoxy glue, secure the plywood mount for the
main fuel tank in place just forward of the air inlet
ducts.
Step 12.
Using epoxy glue, secure the plywood mount for the
battery pack into the front of the fuselage.
Step 13.
Assemble the two small saddle tanks with a pressure line
and clunk line only. Do not fit a separate fill line as these
tanks are filled via the main fuel tank.
The main tank can be fitted with a separate fill line, however
this is not strictly necessary as access to the main supply
line to the engine is easily accessible for fuelling.
Step 14.
Using silicon adhesive, secure the two small fuel
tanks and main tank in place.
For additional security, some cable ties or Velcro
strap should be used to help secure the main fuel
tank.
Step 15.
Epoxy or screw the mounting rails for the
fan unit in place on both sides of the
fuselage.
NOTE: Screwing the rails in place will
make it easier to convert the model to
turbine power at a later date.
Step 16.
Install the elevator and rudder servos into the servo
mounts in the tail of the aircraft.
Run two 36” servo extension leads through the holes
in the formers along the fuselage from the servos to
the area under the canopy where the receiver will be
mounted at a later date.
Fit the plastic servo cover.
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Step 17.
Fit the thrust tube into the fuselage.
Step 18.
Fit the fan unit, with the engine fitted, in place.
The fan unit should be quite a tight fit in the inlet
ducting.
Trim the excess off the thrust tube so that it is flush
with the rear of the fuselage.
Step 19.
Tuned pipe mount
screws into wooden
rail at the base of
the tail.
The tuned pipe mount screws into a wooden rail
at the base of the tail. You will need a short
Philips head screw driver to install this.
NOTE: The mounting rail for the tuned pipe
mount is accessible from the top, but will not be
accessible once the vertical fin is glued in place.
Step 20.
Prepare the vertical fin for installation by removing
any paint off the plywood mounting plate on the top of
the fuselage.
Carefully remove the covering from the base of the
vertical fin and the sides of the rudder post.
Step 21.
Install the vertical fin using epoxy glue and clamp
firmly in position.
A layer of masking applied to the base of the fin
and the fuselage with help prevent excess glue
from marking the covering and paint.
Wipe off any excess epoxy with rubbing alcohol.
(methylated spirits)
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Step 22.
Trial fit the tail plane into position. Carefully mark
and remove a section of covering material from the
tail plane where the tail plane contacts the vertical
fin. Take care not to cut into the balsa wood skin
and weaken the tail plane.
Step 23.
Temporarily slide the wings into place.
Epoxy the tailplane into position making
sure that, when viewing the model from
above, that the measurements marked ‘A’
are equal. Also make sure that, when viewing the model from the rear, that the
measurements ‘B’ are equal.
B
A
A
Step 24.
Apply some light weight silicon grease or Vaseline
to the pivot of each elevator and rudder hinge. Glue
each hinge into the control surface using 30min
epoxy making sure that the hinge is square to the
control surface. The wire elevator joiner can also be
glue in place with epoxy.
Secure the elevators to the tail plane with epoxy
before fitting the rudder.
When fitting the rudder, make sure that the hard
point for the control horn is on the same side as the
servos installed in the vertical fin area of the
fuselage in Step 16.
Step 25.
Fit the control horn to the rudder with the supplied
self tapping screws.
The elevator control horn is installed with long 2mm
screws and a backplate. Cut the screws flush with
the back plate.
Step 26.
Install the pushrods to the rudder and elevator using
the supplied threaded pushrod wire and clevises .
Step 27.
Install the throttle servo into its plywood
tray.
If using in-flight mixture control, install
the remote needle and servo into the
plywood tray.
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B
Step 28.
Fit the throttle and in-flight mixture servo
trays into their respective places in the
fuselage.
Step 29.
The fuel tanks now need to be connected by following
the diagram.
IMPORTANT: Make sure that the fuel lines from the
two saddle tank vent lines to the ‘T’ piece, are exactly
equal in length. The fuel lines from the two saddle
tank clunk lines to the ‘T’ piece must also be exactly
equal. This ensures even and consistent fuel flow.
Step 30.
Note that a small hole will need to made in the
thrust tube to feed the fuel line through.
It is recommended that the fuel line be
protected by some sort of grommet or even
some silicon adhesive.
Step 31.
Make up the throttle linkage from the supplied
threaded pushrod wire and clevis. Note that the
position of the throttle arm on the engine may
need to be adjusted. The pushrod runs across
the top of the inlet duct to the throttle servo.
Step 32.
Fit the engine cover to the thrust tube with the
four small screws provided.
Note that a hole to access the glow plug will need
to be drilled and a small notch made to clear the
throttle pushrod.
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Final Preparation.
Step 33.
Secure the instrument panel to the moulded cockpit
with some medium CA adhesive.
DO NOT glue the cockpit into the model. This simply sits in place and is secured for flight by the
canopy. The canopy and cockpit are removed for
engine starting.
Step 34.
To fit the canopy, slide the cockpit into the
canopy as shown. Slide this whole assembly in
place and locate the two pre-installed pins into the
pre-drilled holes in the plywood former at the front
of the cockpit recess in the fuselage. The canopy
is then held securely in place with the retaining
plug inserted at the rear of the canopy.
Step 35.
The main access hatch cover is similar to
the canopy to fit. The two pre-installed
locating pins fit into the former at the front
of the hatch and the rear of the hatch is
secured with a spring loaded latch.
Step 36.
Finally slide the wings firmly into place making
sure that the wing root is hard up against the
fuselage. Drill a small pilot hole (2mm) through
the wing tube and secure the wings with the
supplied self tapping screws.
Step 37.
Mount the receiver battery pack on the plywood
mounting tray in the nose of the model.
Note: Any nose weight required to balance the
model should also be mounted in this area.
Fit the nose cone with three small screws
provided.
Step 38.
Securely mount the receiver in the fuselage under
the cockpit.
Mount the receiver switch in front of the canopy
area. The switch will then be covered by the
canopy when flying.
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Balancing the Model.
Step 39.
The centre of gravity on the Panther is exactly on the
former behind the canopy or 125mm back from the
intake ducts measured at the fuselage.
Lift the model as shown and add weight until the
model sits with a slightly nose down attitude.
DO NOT fly the model with a rearward C.G.
Lift the model
here to check
for correct C.G
Control Throws.
Step 40.
The recommended control throws for the Panther are as follows:
Ailerons:
Elevators:
Rudder:
Flap:
14mm Up
14mm Down
15mm Up
15mm Down
30mm Left
30mm Right
15 - 20 degrees Take Off
50+ degrees
Landing
Flying Tips.
(Ducted Fan)
The Panther makes an ideal first jet for sports flyer. However, jets do have some unique flying
characteristics that may catch an unsuspecting pilot unaware.
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Ducted fan models generally need a longer take off run than the average sports model to reach take
off speed. This is due to ducted fans requiring air flowing through them to generate maximum thrust.
Use 15 - 20 degrees of flap for take off.
When the speed is sufficient for take off, the model becomes quite ‘light’ on the nose wheel and
could actually cause the nose wheel to bounce slightly.
When this speed is reached, slowly apply some up elevator.
NOTE: If sufficient airspeed cannot be reached for any reason, the take off should be aborted.
DO NOT try to force the model into the air.
Once the model is airborne, keep the climb out shallow and retract the landing gear to allow the airspeed to build.
Once a steady rate of climb is established, the flaps can be raised.
Limit the first few flights to around 5 or 6 minutes to monitor fuel consumption and avoid ‘deadstick’
landings. With a fully run in engine, flights are generally around 8 to 10 minutes depending on
throttle use.
Set up for landing using a regular rectangular approach.
Throttle back slightly and lower the landing gear and apply 15 - 20 degrees of flap on the downwind
leg.
Once you are on final approach, apply full flap.
NOTE: due to the lack of prop wash over the control surface, the controls may feel slightly sluggish
and slower to respond at low speeds.
Keep the landing approach long, but keep the nose pointed at the runway and throttle back. There is
no braking affect from a propeller to slow the model down.
Control the rate of descent with careful use of the throttle.
Flair the model to land on the main gear before gently lowering the nose.
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Turbine Installation.
WARNING!
If you are not familiar with the installation and operation of a gas turbine
engine, it is imperative that you seek assistance from an experienced
turbine pilot.
Strict regulations apply to the flying and operation of gas turbine
powered models. Please check with your local association in regards to
the flying of turbine powered models.
Step 1.
Locate the rear plywood tail pipe mount and apply a coat
of resin, or for a more realistic appearance, paint it black.
Lightly scuff the inside of the fuselage for a stronger glue
joint and secure the tail pipe mount in place with medium
CA adhesive or epoxy.
Step 2.
Slide the front tail pipe mounting former over
the tail pipe and hold the rear mounting tabs
flat with some tape.
Step 3.
Slide the tail pipe into the fuselage and remove
the tape from the mounting tabs.
Bend the tabs out slightly and secure in place
with self taping screws making sure that the tail
pipe is centred in the former.
Do not secure the front tail pipe former until the
engine is installed. Once the engine is installed,
centre the tail pipe and secure the former with
self tapping screws.
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Step 4.
One of the biggest issues facing the turbine
powered jet pilot, is carrying enough fuel on
board the model.
The 1 litre tank supplied in the conversion kit
mounts in front of the air intakes.
Fit the two 450ml tanks are fitted either side of
the engine in the engine bay.
The fuel stoppers on the fuel tanks and the fuel
lines MUST be changed to stoppers and Tygon
tubing suitable for gasoline or petrol engines.
Use the plumbing diagram in the ducted fan
section of the instructions as a guide to plumbing the tanks. The two 450ml tanks feed the
main 1 litre tank.
20 - 30mm
Step 5.
Secure the engine to the mounting
beams making sure that the gap
between the rear of the engine tail
cone and the front of the tail pipe is set
to what the manufacturer of your
engine recommends. This is usually
between 20 - 30mm.
Step 6.
Once the engine is installed, centre the front of the tail
pipe and secure the front tail pipe mount to he former.
Step 7.
For additional protection from heat, fit the fibreglass cover to
the base of the fin with some silicon adhesive. Preferably the
high temperature resistant type.
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Step 7.
As stated earlier, it is imperative that you carefully
check your local regulations for the flying of
turbine powered models and seek assistance and
advice from an experienced turbine pilot.
If your local regulations state that brakes are
mandatory, there is provision to mount a servo
and brake valve under the cockpit opposite the
retract servo and actuating valve.
Depending on local regulations, you may also
need to install a cut switch enabling the turbine to
be shutdown via the transmitter in an
emergency.
More information on the operation and flying of turbine powered models:
Academy of Model Aeronautics - www.modelaircraft.org
British Model Flying Association - www.bmfa.org
Model Aircraft Association of Australia - www.maaa.asn.au
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Distributed in Australia by:
Model Engines (Aust.) Pty. Ltd.
P.O Box 828, Noble Park,
VIC., 3174
www.modelengines.com.au
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