Warbird Information Exchange

Talk about the Intrepid brought back something that has always interested me. When I was growing up along the New Jersey coast my Mother used to take me to "airplane park" in Wall where we played on an old F9F Cougar. It was great to pretend to fly in the gutted cockpit or climb through the fuselage. Many a time I got a cut from some metal piece or something.

Well the town got rid of it in the late 80's I believe when I was at college and it was destined for the Intrepid where I saw it a few times covered by a tarp. Does anyone know what happened to that aircraft?

The "airplane park" is still around put the only airplane is on the sign so many people must wonder what that is all about.

Dave C

So, what happened to the cougar one it was sold??

In Utah, Salt Lake City; there used to be a T-33 in Liberty Park. Same kind of deal, kids could climb up in the cockpit and play fighterpilot. I have photos somewhere of me playing on it. I wonder what ever happened to this one?

Tom P

There is still a Cougar in a park near NYC:

http://www.blueangels.org/Aircraft/Stick/F9F8T/Stickm7.htm

Jim

The National Warplane Museum in NY received a Cougar (and Pather?)several years ago. If I recall right it was not form the Navy, could it have gone there? And it did not appear to be in nice shape, missing wings too I guess.

F9F-7 #= 130802
F9F-8P #= 144402

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According to Baugher listing,
Intrepid's F9F was #141117

Bill

Since this week seems to have a lot of threads coming back from the dead.......

I was in NYC for an overnight last week and made a trip to the Intrepid. I took the following pictures in the restoration tent on the deck. I talked to a guy in the tent and he said it came from a park in New Jersey. So, with the above comments.....

Is this 141117? IF not, then does anyone have a line on it? Not sure how long it has been with Intrepid, but if it is 141117, does anyone know a timeline on its history "since removal from the playground"?

dave

Yes, the Cougar on the Intrepid is from Airplane Park in Wall NJ. I have talked to the Intrepid's Aircraft Restoration manager Eric Boehm about it. Eric is a really nice guy with a passion for the aircraft and they look so much better then in years past. The E-1 Tracer was recently rolled out and is a real winner.

Eric mentioned he has everything for the aircraft except an engine. Obviously in the condition its in there is major work required. If enough money was raised it could be sent out, otherwise it is on the list to be done just lower in the priorities.

I tried to get the local paper interested in a story about the plane giving an update from when they showed her leaving to where she is now but they didn't respond. I think many of the locals would have enjoyed what happened to "their'" plane.

I do not have the Buer num though so can't confirm.

Dave in NJ

as I recall it was partially filled with concrete....most likely scrapped or buried.....

Hi all, Eric here from the Intrepid Museum. Thanks for your kind words Dave. I just found this string so I apologize for not adding some info sooner. Yes, this is the Wall Cougar and yes you have the BuNo right. We started working on her last November and she has come a very long way. The Fuselage has 52 flush repair patches! The tail surfaces have been cleaned, repaired, primed and reinstalled. She has new wind screens, new tires, and one wing re-installed so far. You would not recognize this as the same aircraft you took shoots of in 2009. I have just started a facebook page for our aircraft and there is a photo album dedicated to the Cougar. Come check out the pics at www.facebook.com/intrepidaircraftcollection

Eric

I just saw this and thought I would post it. I'm going to be there!!

From Facebook:

Unveiling of Intrepid’s Newest Aircraft – Saturday, May 21st

Come welcome the newest addition to Intrepid's aircraft collection - the Grumman F9F (AF-9J) Cougar. The Cougar will make her debut starting at 11am with a Flight Deck ceremony, following which she will be on display at Intrepid.
Intrepid has been renovating the Cougar since September 2009. The aircraft maintenance staff has expended over 2,000 man hours on the project and a small cadre of volunteers have accounted for another 2,500 hours of labor. The restored aircraft will wear the colors of fighter squadron VF-61, which flew from Intrepid in 1956.

thank you for the photos

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While we're on the topic..
As a kid in the 60s I recall a Navy jet at Swope Park in Kansas City. Anyone know more?

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I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

And there was a Cougar, Skyray??? on a pole in Olathe KS years ago.

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