GRUMMAN TAF-9J COUGAR

The F9F-8 Cougar featured an enlarged wing and more fuel capacity resulting in longer range and better low-speed handling. When tactical nuclear weapons were introduced in the mid-1950s the Navy selected several F9F-8s for conversion to carry the new weapons. These aircraft were equipped with the Low Altitude Bombing System (LABS) and equipment for arming the weapon and were redesignated as F9F-8B. In 1962, when the system of aircraft designations changed this was changed again to AF-9J. Eventually, some of these aircraft found their way into training units and the designation was changed once again to TAF-9J.