Check out these titanium machining images:
FB-111_engines_DSC_0735
Image by wbaiv
Nose of Chance Vought XF8U-1 Crusader, BuNo 138899
Image by wbaiv
This was Vought’s V-383 design. 138899 was the first prototype, of 3 ordered. 138900 was built, 138901 was cancelled before it could be built.
According to www.joebaugher.com/navy_fighters/f8_1.html, 138899 first flew on March 25, 1955, going supersonic on its first flight. In 1960 it was donated to the Smithsonian, after 508 flights. 138900 was scrapped after 460 flights.
As the pie-bald finish above and in the other photo suggest, the exterior of the F-8 was a mix of everything from low weight magnesium and fiberglass/resin composite to aluminum, steel and titanium.
04-11-30-Seattle scanned prints-16