15.05.2009, 01:51
Heya fellas.
You're all very welcome for the skins. It was my pleasure and thank you for the kind comments. My research shows that VF-51 was actually the first squadron at sea to get the new F9F-3 Panther in May of 1949. Interesting coincidence huh? The dash three had a different engine but was converted later to the same engines as the dash two. Hence the dash two "B" models you fly. Look on the tail and you will notice the -2B in small type there.
These aircraft flew from the USS Valley Forge in combat from fall of 1950 into spring of 1951. Tail color was red and the "E" over the US insignia was for VF-51 achieving an "excellent" rating in a Navy inspection. The squadron's herald is shown below and back from the cockpit. It's slightly out of position from the prototype but necessary due to the limits of the visual model. I also made it over sized so the detail wouldn't be obliterated.
I am four planes into the special skin pack I am painting for fighting 51. In a day or two I will get some more out to you all. When they are all done (and you have them exclusively first) I will post them as a skin pack for the rest of the community. Meanwhile I will share screen shots for everyone's pleasure.
![[Image: vf511.jpg]](http://www.paintinginlight.com/downloads/skins/vf511.jpg)
![[Image: vf512.jpg]](http://www.paintinginlight.com/downloads/skins/vf512.jpg)
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You're all very welcome for the skins. It was my pleasure and thank you for the kind comments. My research shows that VF-51 was actually the first squadron at sea to get the new F9F-3 Panther in May of 1949. Interesting coincidence huh? The dash three had a different engine but was converted later to the same engines as the dash two. Hence the dash two "B" models you fly. Look on the tail and you will notice the -2B in small type there.
These aircraft flew from the USS Valley Forge in combat from fall of 1950 into spring of 1951. Tail color was red and the "E" over the US insignia was for VF-51 achieving an "excellent" rating in a Navy inspection. The squadron's herald is shown below and back from the cockpit. It's slightly out of position from the prototype but necessary due to the limits of the visual model. I also made it over sized so the detail wouldn't be obliterated.
I am four planes into the special skin pack I am painting for fighting 51. In a day or two I will get some more out to you all. When they are all done (and you have them exclusively first) I will post them as a skin pack for the rest of the community. Meanwhile I will share screen shots for everyone's pleasure.
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