3D - Cutlass F7u-3 Flyby of Mt. Fuji: You will need a pair of anaglyph glasses to view in 3D. (red & cyan lenses.) This B&W picture was taken while our squadron VA-151 was aboard the...

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

You will need a pair of anaglyph glasses to view in 3D. (red & cyan lenses.)

This B&W picture was taken while our squadron VA-151 was aboard the USS Lexington in 1956. Our squadron flew the Cutlass F7U-3 aircraft as pictured in this flyby of Mt. Fuji.

Unfortunately, we lost LTJG C.G Larsen on one of his several attempts at landing the aircraft. One of three landing gears was broken off and the aircraft was careening down the hanger deck, but he was able to ditch it off the port side of the ship.

The rescue helicopter did not deploy a rescuer for unknown reasons to me.

There were seventeen layers used to convert this photograph into a 3D. More than I usually use to convert most photos.

3D

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2D
2D...

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2D
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Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Pretty good depth.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Great set, Gaylord.

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

Fotoartist wrote:

Pretty good depth.

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Thanks, I'm glad it worked out. It took a couple of hours. Half of it was trying to undo a smart object I had placed on the background. Because of this, I was unable to convert the layers into 3D. After several searches of the Web, I found that it could not be done with my PS CS5 software. I did learn that Adobe PS CC does have a method that can be used to remove a Smart Object. I kept trying a number of ways to undo it. One was to make a new layer with the original .jpg and delete the background layer with Smart Object, however, it did not work, for some reason, something was applying the Smart Object to the replace original. Somehow I finally stumbled onto something that worked in removing it. I think it was under Image when I clicked on Apply Image. I'm not sure but I feel that is what I did. BOY, what a relief it was to salvage all my work.

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

Earnest Botello wrote:

Great set, Gaylord.

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Thank you so much, Earnest.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I like these photos very much! As a big fan of all things aviation, especially Navy Aviation I have to admit I have never seen or heard of an F7U-3 Aircraft! That surprises me very much! A beautiful, if odd looking little aircraft! I wonder if you have any more photos of them? It's hard to tell from the photos, single engine? or two?
You dated these photos 1956...I was two years old at the time! It's a real pleasure to see this post! Thank you!!

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

Retired CPO wrote:

I like these photos very much! As a big fan of all things aviation, especially Navy Aviation I have to admit I have never seen or heard of an F7U-3 Aircraft! That surprises me very much! A beautiful, if odd looking little aircraft! I wonder if you have any more photos of them? It's hard to tell from the photos, single engine? or two?
You dated these photos 1956...I was two years old at the time! It's a real pleasure to see this post! Thank you!!

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The F7U-3 had two engines at the end of the fuselage. Do a search of the web for pictures and stories about them.

I do not have more pictures. I think I only have some on 8mm movie film when we were in a hurricane or other type of weather. While filming I would see a destroyer off the port bow and then it was gone hidden by large rolling waves, and then you would see it again. I had some feeling for the crew on that destroyer as they must have had a hard ride.

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

Retired CPO wrote:

I like these photos very much! As a big fan of all things aviation, especially Navy Aviation I have to admit I have never seen or heard of an F7U-3 Aircraft! That surprises me very much! A beautiful, if odd looking little aircraft! I wonder if you have any more photos of them? It's hard to tell from the photos, single engine? or two?
You dated these photos 1956...I was two years old at the time! It's a real pleasure to see this post! Thank you!!

I have read that the Cutlass had several problems and was known as a widow maker. Navy pilots have huge cojones to land on the deck of a pitching carrier in rough seas, but giving them an untrustworthy plane to fly took real nerve.

From Wikipedia: "Regarded as a radical departure from traditional aircraft design, the Cutlass suffered from numerous technical and handling problems throughout its short service career. The type was responsible for the deaths of four test pilots and 21 other U.S. Navy pilots.[1] Over one quarter of all Cutlasses built were destroyed in accidents."

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

Alafoto wrote:

I have read that the Cutlass had several problems ... (show quote)

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Thank you for the information from Wikipedia. While I was with the squadron I always felt that the Cutlass was not a suitable aircraft with that Lenthy front strut. I just couldn't imagine how they could see being on an incline when landing to engage the landing hook. and have that nose gear hit the deck. In Larsen's case, he must have missed the landing cable so the hook could engage and the aircraft hit the deck so hard it broke off one of the landing gear. As I recall I believe it was the starboard landing gear.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

SoHillGuy wrote:

*** br Thank you for the information from Wikipedi... (show quote)

There is other info about the cutlass on the net. I just didn't look any further than Wiki

Take care

ILFarmer

I envy you. I have never been where you were when you took those pictures. Thanks for posting.

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

ILFarmer wrote:

I envy you. I have never been where you were when you took those pictures. Thanks for posting.

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As we were the Flag-ship and we're continually working around the clock. Spent many a nights sleeping on the wing of an aircraft. Fun it was not and I decided I would not reenlist.

ILFarmer

I want to thank you for your service. You chose to serve and I thank you for doing so. I suspect you had some really fun times and some you hated. In November 1959, I was a senior in High School. I turnrd 17 on the ninth and was sworn into the Illinois National Guard. I stayed in the Guard for 20 years, 9 months and 3 days and I retired as a Major. I will never resign my rank. I made some lifelong friends I still see frequently. I hope someday you think about it and decide it was all worth it. Thank you again for your service.

SoHillGuy Loc: Washington

ILFarmer wrote:

I want to thank you for your service. You chose t... (show quote)

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Thank you for your service and the qualities it took to make Major.

usn ret Loc: SoCal High Desert

Looking at the cat shot and the number on the bow, I would say CV 16 USS Lexington #2, not #1. And in download I was able to make out the squadron, VF 151 who later transitioned to F8-U Crusaders. Tis correct that there were many technological breakthroughs that carried over into the Crusader making it a topline fighter when introduced. Worked on F8's, VF124 & VFP63 from 62 - 69, oxygen systems, pressurization, canopy and ejection seats. Yes I received more than 1 bottle of spirits. Anyhow the bow/launch shot is great. AMEAN>AMCS>CWO4>retirement. What a ride!!!! Thanks for sharing... Cliff