[VC-81_BOLTER]

August 1954, a VF-192 Grumman F9F-5 Panther (BuAir No. 125634) in the rarely seen Aluminum skin with no paint applied. Stenciled on the tail fin is the legend:

"THIS IS AN EXPERIMENTAL FINISH - DO NOT PAINT WITHOUT SPECIFIC AUTHORIZATION, SEE LOG BOOK"

Obviously the US Navy had little success in the harsh sea salt environment and eventually settled on the gull grey and white scheme known so well in later years over Vietnam. Here for your enjoyment is the skin.






(The link is inoperative)