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I'm not really sure why this plane popped up this month for a profile series, but the F4D-1 Skyray sure was a colorful bird in its short career. Here are a few examples from the colorful 50's and 60's.
The Skyray wasn't camouflaged in anything other than the standard light gull gray over white, so most squadrons made up for the lack of variety with interesting unit markings. VF-102 flew the F4D and adorned it with this colorful scheme of red with white diamonds.
The Marines flew the Ford as well, including this F4D from VMF(AW)-114. This particular Skyray also flew for the Navy with VF-51. When the Marines got it, the card suit emblem went up on the rudder, and the tail cod EK was applied.
Same squadron, different look. This is from VMF(AW)-114's early years, with the spine and tail decked out in dayglo orange. Want to see more of this bird? Check out Will Riepl's Tamiya Skyray, finished in the same markings.
Probably one of the most colorful Skyray squadrons around, VFAW-3 from North Island painted their F4Ds up in this nice scheme. The number of yellow stars varied from plane to plane, most likely depending on what kind of day it was in the paint shop.
This selection would be lacking without the Ford drone. With the distinction of being THE most colorful Skyray, this bird is finished with an Engine Gray fuselage, black spine and canopy, yellow wings and drop tanks, and dayglo orange tail and wing stripes. This one is guaranteed to be seen!