The first F7U-1 launching from the carrier Midway in 1951

Launch of the first production Vought F7U-1 Cutlass (BuNo 124415) from the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVB-41) on 25 July 1951. The plane was piloted by Lt.Cmdr. E.L. Feightner. After tests at the NATC Patuxent River the F7U-1 was used for carrier qualifications. It was the only landing of a F7U-1 on a carrier, as the pilot's visibility was so poor that he could not see the flight deck during the landing. The Landing Signal Officer had to give Feightner the signal to cut the engine, but this method almost led to a ramp strike.