Cavanaugh Flight Museum Jet Collection Flying Status

Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:46 am

Now that the CFM is finally putting one of their Jets (F-86 Sabre/Dale Snodgrass) back on air show flying status, I wonder if there is any chance of seeing their beautiful F9F-2B Panther returned to the air again?

I hope we can eventually see it flying again, at least in time for the Centennial of Naval Aviation coming up in 2011.

(And Snort would be the perfect pilot to showcase the Panther by itself and in Tailhook Legacy Flights!)

Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:43 pm

I have had many requests to fly the Panther again. The Navy asked, for the 50th Anniversary of the end of Korea. And again for another occasion. I don't want to say "never", but it is a "one of a kind, flyable" example and I don't think we would want to chance it. The F86 is one of many and is a Canadair model.

Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:48 pm

FG1D Pilot wrote:I have had many requests to fly the Panther again. The Navy asked, for the 50th Anniversary of the end of Korea. And again for another occasion. I don't want to say "never", but it is a "one of a kind, flyable" example and I don't think we would want to chance it. The F86 is one of many and is a Canadair model.

Well the only solution to this is...someone needs to restore more Panthers! :lol:

(Anyone want to finance it? ...my wallets empty :oops:

)

Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:55 pm

FG1D Pilot wrote:I have had many requests to fly the Panther again. The Navy asked, for the 50th Anniversary of the end of Korea. And again for another occasion. I don't want to say "never", but it is a "one of a kind, flyable" example and I don't think we would want to chance it. The F86 is one of many and is a Canadair model.

Thanks for the background on that, Doug. I understand exactly what you are saying, but I am glad that you don't want to say "never". I will continue to hold out hope that someday.....
:wink:

Wed Aug 22, 2007 2:06 pm

its my understanding (limited at best) that POF is restoring thier Panther to flying status.

Tom P

Wed Aug 22, 2007 2:53 pm

wendovertom wrote:its my understanding (limited at best) that POF is restoring thier Panther to flying status.

Planes of Fame lists the Grumman F9F-5P Panther on their website as a static display and I haven't seen any activity on it. The list below seems pretty up to date:

http://www.planesoffame.org/aircraft.php?site=Chino

I am only a member and not a representative of the museum though, so I do not speak with any authority on the subject.

Wed Aug 22, 2007 6:48 pm

How many f9fs are under restoriation? The f9f IS my favorite jet warbird.

Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:18 pm

Since there are quite a number of static examples of the Panther preserved, am I the only one who finds it a bid odd that the fact that it is the only currently flyable example is used as a reason NOT to fly it?

Surely all the more reason to let us all see it in the air!

Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:21 pm

I agree. Please reconsider, please fly it! I remember the Wolk F9f and its sorely missed on the airshow circuit.

Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:18 pm

Maybe the Navy (NHC, who ever you want to blame or deserves it) could let a few out of its grips to get flying so when they are in need of one they might have a couple to choose! Talk about wanting the best of both worlds. :roll:

I wish one was still in the air, I remebering seeing on in the late 80's and what a great sight that was.

Tim

Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:54 pm

There are a few good restoration candidates in private hands I am a bit surprised as the Jet warbirds become more popular that someone hasn't begun a restoration.

Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:30 pm

Aerocrafters, now Sonoma Jet center had a nice Panther project for sale. Their old site doesn't seem to work anymore.

Wix member Forgotten Field had one too, buuuttttt, his site seems to be down now also.

If I can find any links I'll post them.

I'd really like to see one fly too.

ComeOn SupperLotto!

Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:05 pm

Aerocrafters, now Sonoma Jet center had a nice Panther project for sale. Their old site doesn't seem to work anymore.

Wix member Forgotten Field had one too, buuuttttt, his site seems to be down now also.

Kermit has one that my father sold to him. It is very complete, has an NOS canopy, engine, complete airframe and very straight and clean but needs a full restoration. I am not sure who ended up with the Minter Field Air Museum's but I think Lynn Hunt may have and that might be one of the aerocrafter airframes.

Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:39 am

Sasnak wrote:But Kermit Weeks once had a flyable Mosquito (a "one of a kind, flyable" example) and parked it in a controlled environment, safe from everything, including itself. Now....well let's just say that it is far from flyable.

Let the thought provoking arguments begin!

I think you can say the same thing for many of Kermit's planes....like the B-24.

Thu Aug 23, 2007 12:18 pm

[quote="Sasnak But Kermit Weeks once had a flyable Mosquito (a "one of a kind, flyable" example) and parked it in a controlled environment, safe from everything, including itself. Now....well let's just say that it is far from flyable.
Let the thought provoking arguments begin! :roll:

[/quote]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the Mossie had some corrosion problems before it was parked and that those contributed to it being parked rather than the other way around. I would bet the same may be true of the B-24 and B-26 which, coming from Tallichet, probably need lots of TLC to be completely SAFELY airworthy.