HA7201 F9F-2 Grumman Panther "Paper Doll" VF-781, USS Bon Homme Richard, 1:48
CV/CVA 31 USS Bon Homme Richard, affectionately known as Bonnie Dick was an Essex Class Aircraft Carrier launched Apr. 1944 commissioned Nov 1944. She saw action in WWII where she earned 18 Battle Stars, Korea and was the first ship to deploy 6 times to Vietnam as well as being the first Ace aircraft carrier there. Stricken for disposal in September 1989, sold for scrap in 1992. On July 11 1992 there was one last farewell when former crew and others were allowed to tour the run-down hulk prior to it going to the cutting torch. The F9F Panther entered service in 1949. It was the first Grumman jet fighter, first Carrier-Borne Navy jet fighter in combat, first USN jet to shoot down an enemy airplane, first jet aircraft used by the Blue Angels. A total of 1,382 F9Fs were made. VF-781 was the first squadron to volunteer for combat in Korea and were 100% volunteers earning them the name “Pacemakers”. The F9F flew 78,000 sorties with VF-781 flying 2,721 of them without a single loss of life. The Panther was removed from front-line service in 1956.
MILITARY AIRCRAFT 
