1/48 Grumman F9F-5 Panther 201/125584 VF-192 "Golden Dragon" USS Oriskany

US Navy Fighter Squadron 192 (VF-192) saw several name changes over the years. Originally VF-153 in 1945 and VF-15A in November 1946 only to be renamed VF-151 in July 1948 and VF-192 in February 1950 with a final designation of VA-192 in 1956. While flying from the USS Oriskany the F9F-5 Panthers of the "Golden Dragons" took part in the filming of "Bridges At Toko Ri" and "The Men Of The Fighting Lady". These movies brought the squadron much publicity so they became known as "The World Famous Golden Dragons" and added it to their newly designed patch. Later in 1956 the Dragons received the new swept-wing F9F-6 Cougar.

Designed as a carrierborne jet fighter for the US Navy, the F9F was first flown on November 24th, 1947. During the Korean War, the Panther was the Navy's most heavily used jet fighter. It flew 78,000 sorties and was responsible for the first US Navy air to air kill of the conflict. The Panther's armament included four 20mm cannons and two bombs or an assortment of rockets. The wingtip fuel tanks and dark sea blue coloring made the aircraft extremely recognizable. The Panther was such a successful design that in 1949 it became the first jet flown by the "Blue Angels."

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
• Opening canopies, revealing detailed cockpit interiors.
• Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
• Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
• Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.