New info (new to me, anyway) on the black tail of the slot aircraft...
Starting in 1960 with the F-100, a decision was made to allow the vertical stab to remain sooty on the slot aircraft; it WAS NOT painted. They simply let the soot build up, and this practice continued through the team's association with the F-4.
Someone on another forum also remarked that at the beginning of each new season, the newbies on the ground crew had the fun job of cleaning that soot off. Can only take this guys word for it, but from what I know of military 'traditions' and people in general, sounds realistic...
Fade to Black...