F8F-2 Bearcat of VF-111 on USS Valley Forge (CV-45) on 27 April 1949 (80-G-K-9904)

A U.S. Navy Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat of Fighter Squadron 111 (VF-111) "Sundowners", assigned to Carrier Air Group 11 (CVAG-11), on the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge (CV-45) on 27 April 1949. This appears to be a demonstration, as there are a large number of civilians watching from the island walkways. The Bearcat is armed with two 12.7 cm (5 in) HVAR rockets. Note the large number of people on the island, and the large SX-radar, the Mk 37 gun director with MK 25 radar, and the radar-controlled 40 mm quadruple flak.