Grumman F9F Ted Williams.

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Sun Feb 14, 2021 3:41 pm

Does anyone know if there is a Grumman F9F Panther on display and painted up in Ted Williams markings?
Thanks.
Jerry

phil65 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 14, 2021 3:59 pm

I don't know, but there should be one, #9... :wink:

Phil

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7819

If you're looking for a VMF-311 F9F. This one is pretty cool.

A Grumman F9F-2 Panther (BuNo 123451) of U.S. Marine Corps fighter squadron VMF-311 Tomcats at the end of the Korean War, in 1953.
This F9F-2 flew 445 missions with the 1st Marine Air Wing in Korea for 1,002 combat hours.
Later the aircraft was used by the U.S. Navy for another 96 missions.
The plane dropped some 1,814 to (400,000 lb) of ordnance and wore out 16 guns while firing 100,000 rounds.
U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News July 1953

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7819

I also have a folder of Korean War VMF-311 color photos. Here's a few if interested.

See Ted? & #9

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Sun Feb 14, 2021 7:05 pm

Great photos Mark!
Just trying to see if Williams aircraft has been recreated on an existing airframe.
I thought there was one somewhere, but I'm not sure.
The New England Air Museum has one in storage and it would be cool if they did it in his colors.
Jerry

Steve Rice · **Joined:** Mon Sep 11, 2017 9:23 pm **Posts:** 22

Two of my 2007 photos of the Panther on display at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, CA.

marine air · **Posted:** Mon Feb 15, 2021 11:47 am

There's a book titled "The First Hundred" by John Minturn Verdi. I bought it but haven't had time to read. He flew a couple hundred missions in the F9F and Ted Williams was his wingman. Extreme detail about all things flying.

MKD1966 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 15, 2021 12:11 pm

marine air wrote:

There's a book titled "The First Hundred" by John Minturn Verdi. I bought it but haven't had time to read. He flew a couple hundred missions in the F9F and Ted Williams was his wingman. Extreme detail about all things flying.

Just curious - is this the same John Verdi that was lost in the Whittington Brothers F9F Cougar I believe in the early 90's ?
Thanks, Mike

Lon Moer · **Posted:** Mon Feb 15, 2021 1:53 pm

MKD1966 wrote:

marine air wrote:

There's a book titled "The First Hundred" by John Minturn Verdi. I bought it but haven't had time to read. He flew a couple hundred missions in the F9F and Ted Williams was his wingman. Extreme detail about all things flying.

Just curious - is this the same John Verdi that was lost in the Whittington Brothers F9F Cougar I believe in the early 90's ?
Thanks, Mike

http://blackshadowaviation.blogspot.com/2009/07/john-verde.html

Quote:

...He became a USMC officer and pilot, flying jets in the 50's. He had some more incredible flying experiences with the Marines during the Korean War and the Cold War, and he self published a book in soft cover, Verdi, John Minturn, First Hundred: A Memoir of the Korean War, 1952-1953.

Sadly, on October 31, 1991, he was flying a privately owned F9F-8T (N24WJ) two place Cougar fighter, and both he and a passenger were lost somewhere near the coast of Louisiana. The cause of the crash is unknown, and neither the airplane or remains of John and the passenger have ever been found. He was only 53. ...

MKD1966 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 15, 2021 2:54 pm

Lon Moer wrote:

MKD1966 wrote:

marine air wrote:

There's a book titled "The First Hundred" by John Minturn Verdi. I bought it but haven't had time to read. He flew a couple hundred missions in the F9F and Ted Williams was his wingman. Extreme detail about all things flying.

Just curious - is this the same John Verdi that was lost in the Whittington Brothers F9F Cougar I believe in the early 90's ?
Thanks, Mike

http://blackshadowaviation.blogspot.com/2009/07/john-verde.html

Quote:

...He became a USMC officer and pilot, flying jets in the 50's. He had some more incredible flying experiences with the Marines during the Korean War and the Cold War, and he self published a book in soft cover, Verdi, John Minturn, First Hundred: A Memoir of the Korean War, 1952-1953.

Sadly, on October 31, 1991, he was flying a privately owned F9F-8T (N24WJ) two place Cougar fighter, and both he and a passenger were lost somewhere near the coast of Louisiana. The cause of the crash is unknown, and neither the airplane or remains of John and the passenger have ever been found. He was only 53. ...

Thanks Lon...

Lon Moer · **Posted:** Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:06 pm

Quote:

Sadly, on October 31, 1991, he was flying a privately owned F9F-8T (N24WJ) two place Cougar fighter, and both he and a passenger were lost somewhere near the coast of Louisiana. The cause of the crash is unknown, and neither the airplane or remains of John and the passenger have ever been found. He was only 53. ...

N24WJ at Chino, 10/1991

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mustangdriver · **Posted:** Tue Feb 16, 2021 7:21 pm

I think a Ted Williams paint scheme would be a great way to educate a younger generation about his service.

JohnB · **Posted:** Thu Feb 18, 2021 5:22 pm

mustangdriver wrote:

I think a Ted Williams paint scheme would be a great way to educate a younger generation about his service.

While I agree, I wonder how many people, other than hardcore baseball history/statistics buffs, know who he is?

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Grumman F9F Ted Williams.

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