[VC-81_BOLTER]

Included here are twenty two skins of VF-51.

This squadron served aboard the USS Valley Forge (CV-45) on a Far East cruise in late 1950 into 1951. They were in the Orient when war broke out on the Korean peninsula. Their air group tail code was "S" and their squadron color was red. As the first squadron aboard they used the 100 series of numbers. Subsequent squadrons had the next hundred. VF-52 for example was "S" with white colors and serialized in the 200's aboard Valley Forge. The letter "E" seen on the port nose is for the squadron's achieving an "excellent" fitness rating in 1950.


VF-51's squadron herald as painted upon the fuselage in period photos.

VF-51 is credited with the US Navy's first jet combat sorties and their first jet vs. jet kill. Included here are skins in slightly different coloring ("too blue" as some say) to simulate aircraft which are slightly older than others and thus exposed to sea salt and sun longer. Also some have minor changes in markings to represent aircraft which were replaced due to losses. The Valley Forge made many trips across the Sea of Japan to ports in Japan for R&R and refueling and replenishing. Damaged and lost planes were replaced during these trips.

This was a special project specifically for the virtual air group, VF-51. You can visit them here: http://www.airgroup51.com/

I was very happy to provide them with these as they not only represent the real VF-51 but they are the only organized squadron flying the F9F-2 Panther online in organized fashion. They are also a FISC full switch squadron. They now have their entire air group outfitted with individual skins.

You too may join in with VF-51 to fly with 22 properly skinned aircraft. I would very much like to skin the aircraft carrier to represent the USS Valley Forge. If anyone knows how to go about that, please post here.

The template I worked from is my own and the mechanicals in the skin are the work of GJE52. He did some great stuff with that. Much thanks to Flaktiken for this outstanding model. Enjoy this work and I hope to see a server on the Hyperlobby soon dedicated to the Korean theater!












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[highlander_262]

Excellent work Bolter 8) Nice addition :wink:

[Hawkman]

Lovely stuff!

I saw the Bill Holden movie when I was a kid and always thought the Panther was a cool-looking aircraft - you've done her proud!

Hawkers

[VT-51_Razor]

These skins are truly a labor of love and a work of art. Each one is slightly different than the other in terms of shade or ware, indicating the different time in service for each of the 20+ aircraft. We are very fortunate to have Bolter take an interest, not only in our squad's namesake VF-51, but also in our group of guys that get together several times a week and enjoy this hobby of ours. Bolter has flown with us on several occasions, and we consider him a good shipmate, as well as one hell of a fine virtual naval aviator!

Thank you Bolter.

[Dietz]

I'm ready when you are , Skipper!

[VC-81_BOLTER]

You're all too kind. Again, I do hope someone sets up a Hyperlobby server for these jets.

[VF-51_Dart]

We in AG 51 are absolutely honored to have these skins you made for us Bolter! We will wear them with the pride and respect that they deserve sir! Thank you!

[VF-51_Cobraj]

Thanks again Bolter OUTSTANDING job! Salute!! We will wear them with honor.

[Wrench11Bravo]

Bolter!

AG-51 pulls a snappy salute to you sir for these awsome skins for our fighter squadron portion of our airgroup. We will wear them with pride as we honor the men who flew these jets into harms way. Thanks for your hard work - 113 is on the hanger deck waiting for you sir anytime you want to take her for a spin...

Tonights hoop - RESCAP over Korea - get Forney and Nestor up in the egg beater:

[VT-51_Snooch]

Fantastic job on these new skins Bolter!
Thank you so much for all of your hard work and dedication to this project.
The "Screaming Eagles" are flying with pride once again!

S!

[VC-81_BOLTER]

Aw shucks....

[AG51 Pilgrim]

Unbelievable work Bolter, thank you for your efforts! I'm proud to fly #108 in honor of those who originally flew these gorgeous birds.
We salute you sir!

[Fireball]

Bolter,

Thanks very much for these skins! S!

Fireball

[Glider]

Bolter,

Good to see you online again! And a hearty ~S~ and GIANT Thanks for your work in providing us with the skins. I hope to see you fly with us soon- we can always use another Avenger/Panther/B25 pilot :lol:

In return please feel free to look through my FTP site and download anything that strikes your interest. As you can see there is an abundance of items including manuals, checklists, etc.

Have you seen or heard from Doc at all lately? Take care bud and hook up with us online...

[VC 81 Bulldog]

Bolter after all these years you still make me look good....LOL....Thanks Bud the skins are AWESOME!!