The first pic is the F4 beginning to spin up the jet turbines. Note the jet blast shield is up. The second picture is an F4 getting ready to hook up to the catapult. The last picture is an F4 being launched, with full afterburner. Not to sound to much like Capt Obvious, the last shot was a night launch.

The black tail with the Skull & Cross Bones belonged to the Jolly Roger Squadron. And if any one remembers the movie "The Final Countdown" starring the USS Nimitz. The Jolly Roger Squadron was featured in that movie, except they had transitioned to the F14 Tom Cat by that time.

Edit: The second picture didn't process, for whatever reason.
[Post edited by Atlee Hokie at 08/09/2019 10:51PM]