The F9F-5P was a specially built unarmed photographic reconnaissance version of the F9F-5. Unlike the F9F-2Ps, which were modified from existing F9F-2 airframes, the F9F-5Ps were built from scratch as unarmed photo-reconnaissance aircraft. 36 were built. The modified nose had the armament replaced by a housing for vertical and oblique cameras. The overall length was 40 feet as compared to 38 feet 10 1/2 inches for the standard F9F-5.
The F9F-5P was deployed with a detachment of VC-61 aboard the USS Princeton during late 1952, supplanting the earlier F9F-2P.
F9F-5P BuNo 126275 is on display at the USN Pensacola Air Museum.
Grumman F9F-5P Panther serials:
125314/125321 Grumman F9F-5P Panther 126265/126290 Grumman F9F-5P Panther 127471/127472 Grumman F9F-5P Panther
Sources:
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United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911, Gordon Swanborough and
Peter M. Bowers, Naval Institute Press, 1990.
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The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.
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Grumman Aircraft Since 1929, Rene J. Francillon, Naval Institute
Press, 1989.
- American Combat Planes, 3rd Enlarged Edition, Ray Wagner, Doubleday, 1982.
