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Grumman F9F-8T/TF-9J two-seat Cougars (Naval Fighters Number 68) By Steve Ginter

Because of the operational acci­dent rate of swept-wing aircraft, Grumman began development of a two-seat trainer version in November 1953 as Design 105 to meet antici­pated carrier training requirements. Grumman was in competition with the popular Lockheed TV-1 and T2V, straight-wing trainer versions of the USAF F-80 that had been in the Navy Training Command for years. After much salesmanship, Grumman was authorized by the Navy to redesign an F9F-8 airframe (Buno 141667) as a two-seat prototype. It flew on February 29, 1956. The failure of the T2V-1/T-1A (see Naval Fighters 42 Lockheed T2V-1/T-1A Seastar) to meet its requirements later boosted the production numbers of the F9F-8T to 399 aircraft (BuNos 142437-142532, 142954-143012, 146342-146425, and 147270-147429). The two-seat Cougars were produced between July 1956 and February 1960.

To provide space for the second cockpit, the fuselage was extended 34 inches. The additional second cockpit space also required that the size of the forward fuselage tank be reduced, giving the F9F-8T 296 gal­lons less than the standard F9F-8 fighter. A rear-sliding canopy was installed and the rear cockpit was given a very strong windshield to deflect the air blast when the canopy

was blown off during the crew ejec­tion cycle. The aircraft also became the first Navy aircraft equipped with the Martin Baker ejection seat. To keep the empty weight close to that of the F9F-8, two of the four 20 mm can­non and their ammunition were removed. Provisions for a nose in­flight refueling boom and four under-wing Sidewinder missile stations also were incorporated.

Some mechanical differences from the F9F-8 were beefed-up land­ing gear struts and fuselage carry-through structure for the tail hook. Main wheel size also was increased to 25 x 6 from 24 x 5.5 and the brakes were redesigned. An automatic fric­tion adjuster pulled the brake piston back .060 inches after application, causing pedal and piston travel to remain uniform. Goodyear provided a snap-on brake lining to cut mainte­nance time. To improve deck han­dling a mechanical up-lock for the tail skid was installed.

The guns and 200 rounds of ammunition and nose-mounted avionic gear were serviced from three access doors on each side of the nose.

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