Micro

That's what I suspected. Why the change from the old circular spot markings?

Fellas, I recently zoomed in on the TR and Truman in Norfolk. I noticed some deck markings that I had not seen before. Along the port side there are numerous upsidedown "Ts" with numbers from 1-8. Can you guys school me on what these are used for? Thx.

I know this sounds like I'm being a snob, but no notams would be published for that specific fly-over since it's already in a tfr. It actually requires "waivers" to be filed with the tracon. Thats so the ATC controller can legally vector the Bules over the castle. I'm just saying because I know there are at least a few student pilots on here and I don't want them to get confused about notams.

Dude.... Whitey..... You are CRUSHING this build. No idea how I missed this one, but you can bet I'll be following it. Frikkin nuts man.

Sorry if this has already been discussed, but this is news to me. I know there was talk about that mystery Nimitz style carrier that Iran was building. It would seem they were making it for target practice. http://tacticalshit.com/video-iran-attacks-replica-u-s-warship-strait-hormuz-missile-drill/

Here's a clip from what I think was the best SR documentary ever made. If anyone knows where to find the whole thing, please let me know.

Well, after searching the internet all night long because I really needed to know if I was losing my mind, I have come to the conclusion that it used to be standard to run-up your engines when the "tension" signal was given and a greenshirt was still under the jet. Colin and Spook, I agree that the current procedure is to clear everyone out from the aircraft prior to adding power, as Colin's video shows. However, that video is relatively new. I've attached 4 older videos that clearly show the aircraft increasing power (presumably to MIL) when the tension signal is given by the topside petty of

Hey, fellas. As far as I know, it used to be that all aircraft launching from a carrier went into military power when the topside petty officer gave the pilot the tension sign (rear hand saying hi, front hand pointing to the bow). At that point there was still a green shirt under the plane checking the hook-up. Then, once the topside petty officer handed the jet off to the shooter, the pilot would do the wipeout and go to burner if needed. However, I got into a conversation with my boss who was a shooter on the Bush from 2010-2012 and he says that he has never heard of an aircraft running up

Whitey, you are going to have to go to sensitivity training. "RAG" was phased out awhile back and deemed politically incorrect. The idea of sending females to the RAG ruffled someone's feathers. So, now it's the fleet replacement squadron (FRS). In any case, it's good to see Grim Reaper colors again.

Gents, I was able to finally get a hold of a few pics of the Blues cockpit modifications from a good buddy, Jamal "Spins" Ingram. Any and all credit for these pics goes to him. Cockpit Overview: Inverted Fuel Pump Lights: Stopwatch: Inverted Fuel Pump Switch / Smoke System Annunciators:

Does anyone happen to know how it is the Navy / Marines painted the noses on their Falcons? Did they not use the same coatings as the Air Force jets?

Erik, excellent info. I didn't realize the Viper's nose couldn't be painted. Thanks for the explanation. Cheers.

True. However, it seems the F-16 is the only fighter that consistently has a different colored nose. The F-14, F-15, big and little Hornets, all have consistent paint nose to tail. Heck, even the Raptor's nose is uniform with the body. I can understand the need to break up the silloette with camouflage, but to be honest, the Viper's TPS doesn't really seem to do much in that respect.

Ok, I have to know. There must be some reasoning to the paint scheme that is overwhelmingly placed on F-16's. The dark grey on the aft of the body leading into the arcs stemming from the canopy tail into a lighter grey???? Plus, the always present nosecone that has an even different shade of grey??? Yes, I do in fact realize it is not always evident, but you must admit it is wildly common. My question is... Why? Other TPS seem to have some sort of reasoning. But the Viper? The shaded arcs behind the canopy only to be offset by the hard nosecone transition? What gives?

Thanks, fellas. Thadeus, I was not aware if the group build. I might just have to make my way over there. Thx for the info.

Gents, After a 4 year hiatus from model building, I decided to have a go at one of the last models I did - and the one I lost to a move from Columbus, Ohio to Yokosuka, Japan. It's the 1/48 Hasegawa F-18 in Blue Angel colors. I also got the Aires cockpit and exhausts, as well as the Eduard detail sets. Yesterday and today I started to tackle the cockpit. I plan on leaving the seat until I'm ready to mount the canopy. I tried my best to make the MFD's look glass-like with Future, but overall I'm really disappointed with the results. The circular thing above the UFCP is my attempt at the stopw

I agree with the other guys - I don't think 31 ever had Tomcats.

I don't mean to be picky, but aren't those surfaces just spoilers? Their only positions are neutral or up to spoil the lift of the wing - they don't go down to increase lift as a true flaperon does. For example, the F-14 used the same system, spoilers on each wing in place of ailerons. The F-18 has true flaperons on the outboard wings which go fully down and fully up. Trust me, I'm fully aware that the military can and does use misnomers all the time, but they sure appear to be spoilers to me. In any case, it's a nice build. I'd agree with the other guys and say that if you don't want to chan

Disregard. I need to learn to read first then post after.

Awesome idea for a diorama! One thing I wanted to mention before you get too far is that the wing spoilers were not deployed during approach. Only the "bow-tie" speed breaks (top and bottom) were used as drag devices to keep the engines spooled-up. However, with DLC engaged the inboard spoilers would have gone to the "neutral" position, sticking up about 5-10 degress - like this and this. If the pilot wanted to lose a bit of altitude rapidly, he/she would roll the stick's thunbwheel forward and the inboard spoilers would pop up depending on how far the thumbwheel was rolled - like this and t

Well, I'm convinced. Thanks for the gouge.

Got the email. Thanks, buddy! Just curious, have you used the Yellowhammer decals, and if so, how did you like them?

That'd be fantastic, Whitey! We're about to PSC from Japan to Jacksonville so mailing would be a nightmare! If you can, just go ahead and email them to me at jj_guerra@yahoo.com. Thanks, bud!

Hey, all. I'm starting work on an F-18 and I plan on doing it up as Blue Angel 6. I know the Blues have a few modifications to their cockpits, including the stopwatch, inverted fuel pump switches, etc. I'm just wondering if anyone has any detailed photos of a Blue's cockpit. TIA.

With all due respect Graves... In what fashion did "hazing" occur?