F7U-1 CUTLASS FIRST CARRIER TAKE OFF AND LANDING 1951

On July 23, 1951, CMDR Edward L. Feightner performed the first (and only) carrier takeoff and landing of the Vought Cutlass F7U-1 variant on the aircraft carrier USS Midway.
Landing the Cutlass was hazardous due to the extreme nose-up attitude that restricted visibility forward and below. Feightner was unable to see the flight deck and relied on the Landing Signal Officer (LSO) to provide the indication to reduce engine power. Despite assistance from the LSO, Feightner landed short of the desired position and nearly struck the ramp.
Although the fleet received the improved F7U-3, the Cutlass did not live up to its potential and remained in service for less than four years