USS Lexington Unveils First F9F-8 Cougar Painted "Pink" In Support of Breast Cancer Awareness

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Oct. 17, 2016 - PRLog -- The USS Lexington Museum on the Bay this morning unveiled the very first F9F-8 Cougar painted bright pink. The F9F-8 Cougar will be on display on the flight deck of this WWII era aircraft carrier through the end of October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.

The idea was presented by the Director of Operations & Exhibits, Rusty Reustle, from a special technique he observed Disney using while filming the blockbuster movie, Pearl Harbor, aboard LEX in 2001. Liquid dishwashing soap is applied to latex paint, which prevents the paint from becoming permanent. The particular hue used on the F9F-8 Cougar is a vibrant shade of pink called "Heliconia."

The F9F-8 Cougar is the swept wing version of its forerunner, the F9F Panther -- Grumman's first jet fighter plane. The Blue Angels flew with the F9F-8 and one –8T from 1955 to 1958. The USS Lexington chose a fighter plane in support of all who have fought bravely and continue to fight the battle of cancer.

The USS Lexington Museum by the Bay opened at Corpus Christi Beach 24 years ago in October 1992. For more information on the ship, visit https://www.usslexington.com/