In early jet/ carrier days, trials were carried out landing on rubber deck without need for undercarriage. Weight saving! Arrested, as seen here being flown by Winkle Brown. Launch was achieved using achieved using a dolly which remained on catapult. Soon abandoned.
Grumman F9F Panther early carrier-based jet fighter. first jet-fighter aircraft to see air-to-air combat with USN as well as being Grumman’s first jet fighter. withdrawn from frontline combat service 1956 replaced by new aircraft, including its swept-wing Cougar derivative.