The Letter Showing Donation of the Panther by the Navy, dated February, 1965

This one page document proves the plane was classified as stricken. This Navy letter dated 26 February 1965, designated the Panther, Bureau No. 125316, as 'stricken' and donated, according to Naval specifications, to the municipality of Mesa, Arizona.

The Navy's initial response to the City of Mesa following a request for a donated plane

The Navy specifically notified the City of Mesa of the criteria that must be met in order for a plane to be donated to the city. These planes were suggested for their purposes. Among them, the Panther.

The City of Mesa's Official Order of Disposal

This document provides the City of Mesa's intent to dispose of the Panther. The plane was offered at auction via sealed bid, and the only other bidder was a scrapyard. For the second time, the Panther was spared from being crushed -- the fate of each of the Navy's remaining Panther aircraft.