F9F-5 Hybrid Panther
The Legend of "The Blue Tail Flies" Squadron

In early May 1953, VF-153 pilot Lt(jg) Richard ‘Stretch’ Clinite had been flying a Dash-5′ in an experimental natural metal finish when it was hit hard by flak. The Panther’s tail was badly damaged, although he was able to return to USS Princeton (CV-37) aircraft carrier. At first it appeared that the aircraft would have to be grounded until a major overhaul could be accomplished in port. In the meantime another VF-153 pilot, Ens W A Wilds, brought back a standard F9F-5 with its forward fuselage badly holed by flak. It was then that the maintenance crew displayed its ingenuity. The undamaged parts of the two aircraft were combined during an all-night work session, allowing Clinite to be presented with a new hybrid Panther. The story of ‘The Blue Tail Fly’ ended after its 12th mission (on May 12) with Clinite in the cockpit when the aircraft was ordered back to the USA for rebuilding.