f8

Photo reconnaissance trio Douglas A3D-2P Skywarrior Tail code SS of VCP-61 with side number 3 on fuselage and VC….on rear fuselage. Chance Vought F8U-1P Crusader with last four ‘6857’ of six digit serial on base of tail. Modex 41 on nose. This was F8U-1P 146857. F9F-8T Cougar with rear portions of tail and wings in red/orange training colors. Modex 31 on nose. Tail code SS of VCP-61/VAP-61 Relevant VCP-61/VAP-61 dates: www.vap61vap62.com/historyofvap1.htm Redesignated Heavy Photographic Squadron SIXTY ONE (VAP-61) in April 1956. Redesignated Composite Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron SIXTY ONE (VCP-61) on 1 July 1959. August 1959 F8U-1P assigned to VCP-61. September 1959 A3D-2P assigned to VCP-61. Redesignated Heavy Photographic Squadron SIXTY ONE (VAP-61) on 1 July 1961. Based at NAS Miramar California. While with VFP-63, F8U-1P 146857 was lost in an operational accident on 2 April 1962 in the USA. Pilot Lieutenant (junior grade) S. W. Betts ejected www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/F_8_Crusader...

Very interesting to see the planform view of the A-4 Skyhawk relative to its cousin the F4D Skyray! I had no idea that the Skyray's wing was so much larger.

CV-38 USS Shangri La