F9F-2 Panther, 307/D, VF-123, USS Essex - photos? Korean war service?

[Troy Smith]

Google is not giving me much joy.

 

specifically this scheme, that seems very popular, being in the old AMT kit, Hasegawa, Superscale https://modelingmadness.com/scott/decals/super/48th/ss481183.htm

 and then Hobby Boss

 

307/D

I have seen various Bu. Nos listed as well,  but despite various searches, no photos or more info is emerging.

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VFA-143

" On 4 February 1953, the squadron was redesignated VF-123 and transitioned to the F9F-2 Panther"

 

 

so questions

 

Any photos of 307/D?

 

Was used in Korea?

 

Thank you

[Sabrejet]

I think VF-123 ops with the F9F-2 post-date Korea, so I'd say that no. it was not used there. BuAer No. may well be a 'best guess' by Hobby Boss.

[Duggy]

 VF-123 "The Blue Racers" were on  USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CV 47), ATG-2. 1955 according to this - https://www.aviationgraphic.com/aviation-lithographs/3645-f9f-2-panther-vf-123-mb-138.html

So post war.

[71chally]

This is the only pic I've seen of 307/D, no idea of the Bu No though, 1955.

 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:F9F-2s_VF-123_Mt_Fuji_1955.jpg

 

 

Edit, apologies wrong code number! but picture might be useful for date.

Edited March 2 by 71chally

[TBC]

Some help here. This is a great site.

 

https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv47-55/index.html

 

You will find a photo of 307D with its wings folded. Note the alignment between NAVY and 307 under the port wing. The NAVY is parallel to the leading edge of the wing while 307 appears to be parallel to the leading edge of the flap. They are not parallel to each other as depicted in the HobbyBoss instructions. I can't speak to the Superscale decal set.

 

While the Bureau Number is visible under the port horizontal stabilizer, I don't know if its possible to magnify it sufficiently while keeping focus to actually determine the number.

 

Added below, is a list (known or available at the time of publishing -1983) of available 1/48 decals from Detail and Scale Volume 15 F9F Panther. There's a typo somewhere, but both are within the range of F9F-2 production.

 

 

 

Edited March 2 by TBC

[AV O]

Thank you for the link.

Refering to the link above, the Hobby Boss decals and instructions are not really good :

https://designer.home.xs4all.nl/models/f9f-72/panther.htm

 

The NAVY font is different as is the letter spacing (A V). But separating the 307 from it should solve the problem raised above (They are not parallel to each other ).

The nose 307 position is not properly shown on the instructions.

[TBC]

The 307 and the D on the upper right wing are the same size, as the upper right wing is visible in the photo I was referring to in my original post. HobbyBoss has rendered this incorrectly too. There is another photo in the link I posted showing 301, 310, 312, and 317 from directly above which shows this to good effect. See link below.

 

https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv47-55/188.htm

Edited March 3 by TBC

[Troy Smith]

 

 

14 minutes ago, TBC said:

The 307 and the D on the upper right wing are the same size, as the upper right wing is visible in the photo I was referring to in my original post.

 

 

this one?

 

 

 

 

Not sure why a German site is sticking watermarks on one from a US Navy site

4 hours ago, AV O said:

the Hobby Boss decals and instructions are not really good :

now there's a surprise!

 

 

OK, that answers my questions very well, thank you.

 

Another, which might need a separate thread,  the numbers/letters are the standard 445 degree corner type?

 

Any idea what the actual sizes of the various one are, just Techmod do a sheet

 

Though it may just be easier to get some new decals...

 

 

[TBC]

Some more information.

 

https://superrask.xyz/product_details/42267015.html

[Troy Smith]

12 minutes ago, TBC said:

Some more information.

 

https://superrask.xyz/product_details/42267015.html

Thanks,  but a profile artist I like a photo to back up drawing.... 

 

Any idea how the old Microscale sheet is?

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/microscale-72-206-grumman-f9-f-2-panthers--588686

 

TIA

[TBC]

31 minutes ago, Troy Smith said:

Thanks,  but a profile artist I like a photo to back up drawing.... 

 

We actually have one, but unfortunately the Bureau Number isn't legible. The colour profile  of 307/D 123534, appears in several publications. For what it's worth, only HobbyBoss depicts it as 123504.

 

I don't know what size the numbers and letters on the wing are. A better image of a Panther wing with similar size markings would be needed. I can tell you from looking at lots of photos, there was plenty of variation in size.

 

Any idea how the old Microscale sheet is?

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/microscale-72-206-grumman-f9-f-2-panthers--588686

 

Sorry, I don't know.

 

 

 

 

TIA

 

[TBC]

I went through my copy of The Official Monogram US Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide Vol.3 1950-1959, and the markings for the modex and aircraft letter weren't addressed.