F9F Cougar in Detail and Scale Book Review

By David L. Veres

Review

Appearance of swift, sleek MiG-15s in Korean skies underscored the inherent obsolescence of conventionally designed US Navy F9F Panthers.

But Grumman’s existing G-93 project fortunately envisioned a quick, “low risk and low cost” Panther update with swept wings and horizontal stabilizers – hopefully speeding service introduction.

That’s the background to F9F Cougar In Detail & Scale – available in both digital and on-demand print versions from the publisher.

Detail & Scale first studied the comely Cougar in 1983. The title quickly went out-of-print. And over 30 years later, author-publisher Bert Kinzey revisits the tale in these multiple formats.

We received an on-demand print example. And fans of the pioneering series will rapidly recognize Detail & Scale’s familiar formula.

Contents capably commence with general background and design notes. Coverage subsequently segues to separate sections on key Cougar variants:

• F9F-6 Prototypes
• F9F-6 (F-9F)
• F9F-6P (RF-9F)
• F9F-7 (F-9H)
• F9F-8 (F-9J)
• F9F-8B (AF-9J)
• F9F-8P (RF-9J)
• F9F-8T (TF-9J)

Each recaps subtype development, characteristics, production, service, equipment, BuNos, and fate – among other factors.

Things then get personal with fascinating, firsthand pilot notes: “Flying The Cougar”. I, too, consider the F9F-8P nose “butt-ugly”. So talk about consequent commentary!

Hobbyists will love “Cougar Details” – inside and out – over the next 40 pages. And the typical Detail & Scale “Modelers Section” completes contents. The latter includes helpful corrections to Kitty Hawk’s 1:48 “Dash 8” kits.

Several dozen B&W and color photos, detail shots, tech-manual excerpts, and detail illustrations augment the account. You’ll find eye candy everywhere.

But what strange scale are those line drawings?

Recommended.

With thanks to Detail & Scale for the review copy.