Gabe Pincelli

Don't worry, we won't stone you. Navy airplanes in the yellow wings era did look like the wings, tail and stabs could've been borrowed from another airplane. So, what I hear you saying is that this scheme on the T-45 is true to it's historical roots, right? :D Gabe

One more update guys. Just pulled it out so it could "bake" in the sun today. Back in the hangar now for re-assembly. This airplane just came out of modification from T-45A to T-45C so there are still a few components to be installed or re-installed (including the engine). This will be the last update until it is "officially" rolled out. Should only be a few weeks. The TRAWING 1 jet from NAS Meridian is still awaiting shipment of the remaining silver paint required for the job. Should only be a week or two more on that one. Hopefully will have some photos of them together once the

How 'bout we call Bob and tell him we need decals AND a kit!

Hi John, Sorry, but I don't know of one in particular. Each wing runs their cross-country and airshow programs separately (although we could conceivably coordinate) The other piece of the puzzle is that we usually don't know until the day of departure the exact airplane we will be taking to the airshow. We will be doing everything in our power to coordinate with maintenance to get these airplanes to as many airshows as possible, but at this point it is unknown when they will both show up at the same show at the same time. Sorry I couldn't help more. I plan on attending the California C

I concur!

TRAWING 1 (NAS Meridian): -Gabe

OK guys. Got the call that they had removed most of the masking this afternoon but didn't have time to get my camera before they locked everything up for the weekend. So I took pics with my phone. I will take better pics with my camera first thing Monday, but I'm too excited to wait that long to share these. All the white areas on both jets will be painted silver as soon as the paint arrives. That will hopefully will be next week. TRAWING 2 (NAS Kingsville): Enjoy! Gabe

A few more pics guys. They should wrap up most of the detail painting on both jets early next week. Just waiting for more silver paint and clear coat to arrive to finish painting the fuselages. These pics are of the Kingsville jet as they remove the masks from the tail after spraying the tail code and BuNo. Also a pic of the horizontal stab after receiving the gloss black paint. Enjoy! -Gabe

Hey guys, Here are a few new pics. This is actually the second jet to get the Centennial scheme. This one will go to TRAWING 1 at NAS Meridian. The Kingsville jet was fully wrapped in paper and plastic today while it had some of the smaller areas of color applied. Hopefully will get more pics of it tomorrow. Enjoy! -Gabe

In work...

California Capital Airshow in Sacramento. September 11th and 12th. Never a sure thing in this business, but I am trying as hard as I can to bring a T-45. Hopefully, it will be the one with the new Centennial paint scheme. -Gabe

Doing great Mike. Glad you like the VT-22 jet. I didn't have anything to do with the design, but I like it too. I'll tell the guy who designed it that it is well received. There will be two more special schemes coming to Kingsville. Next up will be the Centennial paint scheme for TRAWING 2, which I had some input on. After that, VT-21 will be getting a jet painted up. I hope to make it to the Sac Capital airshow in the Centennial jet if everything works out and the planets all align. -Gabe

Theoretically these jets will stay this way until they are due for a complete repaint. Supposedly close to 7 to 8 years! -Gabe

I have one and even if it's inside your budget, I don't think it's worth it. It's really not accurate for a T-45. They gave it a shot, but fell well short of the mark. Shapes just aren't quite right. Landing gear and wheels aren't right either. About the only thing I think I'll use from it is the photo-etched speed brakes. I want one just as bad as you do! I keep trying to convert a Hawk but there's so much to it, I keep buning out. -Gabe

Yep. We've noticed that and a few other spots. They will be corrected. The jet was painted off site. The pilot who went to pick it up noted the overspray, but there wasn't time to get it corrected then home in time for the ceremony next week. It'll get fixed. -Gabe

Thought you all might like to see the latest special paint job to arrive in Kingsville. BuNo 167100 Modex 322. This special scheme was painted in preparation for VT-22's change of command which takes place next week. Enjoy! The Centennial Jet is still in the paint barn here in Kingsville. They are reapplying some of the finish so we are looking at a slight delay. It'll be worth it though! -Gabe

Looking forward to finally meeting you, Fuji!

Cool. Thanks for the help. Gabe

Update for you guys. Silver was sprayed today. Clear coat was going on tonight after I left work. Maybe I need to start a new thread since she isn't naked anymore! Enjoy! Cheers, Gabe

Lookin' great! Which kit did you use? I'd like to see some in-progress picks of how you did the various parts of the conversion. What nose gear did you use? Wheels? Just very curious because it really looks the part. -Gabe

That was one of the schemes we considered. I still love the idea, but we are limited in the number of airplanes that will be painted. Maybe we can do that scheme on another airframe. Rich?

I think you might have an inside sorce there Fuji! You've got the right idea. The commodores of the two TRAWINGs were given their choice of tail, nose, and chevron colors. I will not reveal those colors until it's complete. The second jet is being stripped of it's old paint right now, so we'll have two pretty cool looking jets within a month or so. -Gabe

A few more pictures taken today. She's been wiped clean, is in process of being masked and should have a primer coat within a day or so. Maybe the photo of the stencil will give a hint of some of the possible schemes. Cheers, Gabe

Maybe... But that's not all...

All, Just took these pics of T-45C BUNO 163656. It will be the first Navy jet to recieve a Centennial paint job. I will post more pics as it progresses through the paint process. Beat you to it Rich! Hope you guys are as psyched about this as I am. Rich Dann drew up the scheme and I have been working on-site in Kingsville to make this a reality. Gabe