sundowner Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 (edited) Hi Guys , 3 weeks ago I was at Fallon and I noticed that the F/A-18 line birds were painted very dull , we already have seen some Jolly Rogers jets : But the JR's still wears their Skull and crossbones but VFA-2 beats them by a mile , see for yourself : Has there been issued a new regulation concerning the line bird markings by the US Navy...??? Cheers , Henk Edited September 27, 2007 by sundowner Link to post Share on other sites
TonyH Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Great shots and thanx for posting. I like the low vis markings much better anyway,but that's just me. Tony Link to post Share on other sites
thetoe17 Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 There was a pretty heated discussion about this a few weeks back as I recall specifically involving VF-103, but I think maybe the thread got locked down? Basically, the answer is yes, whoever is in charge right now seems to believe EXTREMELY lo-vis is the way to go...I think I heard they even have regs for how big the tail letters can be and where on the tail they must be located. I think they're still allowed to have one CAG jet though. I hope so at least, it would seem to me that CAG jets would be a source of pride and identity for the squadrons. Nice pictures though, thanks for posting. Link to post Share on other sites
Mark S. Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Gents: I'm surprised to see a Superhornet carrying an AIM-7 Sparrow! Thought they wouldn't have spent the time and money integrating it to that aircraft Mark Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 The higher ups are really cracking down on the more traditional markings we like to see. In the case of VFA-103, at first, they were told they could have dk grey tails on the line jets, but they'd have to give up one of the show birds. So, instead of 200 & 201 being hi vis, 201 got to be a line jet. Then once they got back from cruise a couple weeks later, they were told to remove the dk grey tails. Pretty silly if you ask me.. :D Link to post Share on other sites
F14SRCOOL Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 im tending to think that only 1 CAG bird and very toned down line birds will be the norm. Certainly my fave squadron VFA-31 seem to only have 1 black tailed CAG (AJ-10) there is no red tailed 101 bird! Really tho im waiting to see some nice weathered super hornets in a few years time so the heavy weathering ive done on tomcats can be applied. also btw mentioning tomcats in a super hornet thread :D sorry i know!!! Link to post Share on other sites
blackhawk7 Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 MAN! VFA-2 just aren't the same without their stripes! Now there just like... regular navy jets!! :D Also, I was wondering, when a CAG jet get a new paint job, do they strip the old paint off, or just apply the new paint straight over the top? Tom Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 I can't totally tell in the picture(which are nice) but does that VFA-2 bird have an ACS rear pit ? The glint on the canopy is fudging it for me ... If so, that might explain the markings ... ie: They haven't had a chance to put the squadron logo on the tail yet ... Gregg Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Man, if you are going to go that subdued, why put on markings at all? With the exception of the modex and tailcode, that Bounty Hunter looks completely non descript. Link to post Share on other sites
andyman_1970 Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 103's "toned" down are some of better looking (IMO) markings. I still like the dark gray tail. Since my favorite squadron, VFA-41, was already "toned down" I guess this isn't much of a surprise to me. I wonder if this thread will spiral out of control like the last low viz marking thread.................. Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Yeah, looks like an ACS to me. In fact, I think the ACS is more obvious than telling what squadron the poor bird is attached to now!! *grumbles* Heck, they might as well remove every marking and make it a monotone, no stencilling or anything. Link to post Share on other sites
Sig Saur & Son Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 (edited) You poor souls. We old farts remember when all squadron aircraft were painted the same and the CAG had just a touch more colour and double nuts. Edited September 27, 2007 by Sig Saur & Son Link to post Share on other sites
louie Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 (edited) Great pictures Dave. I remember those days...I must be getting very old... Times they are a changin' Edited September 27, 2007 by louie Link to post Share on other sites
longmc Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Great pictures Dave.I remember those days...I must be getting very old... Times they are a changin' Link to post Share on other sites
Sig Saur & Son Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Eventually, they will all be painted exactly the same. The pilot will check one out of the jet pool, like a motor pool. It's a shame, really. You guys now have your digital cameras that can make anyone an awesome photographer, these cameras produce brillant colourful images except for the fact all the jets are now grey. Cheers, Dave Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 (edited) Yep...and although colorful, they did it in such a way that didn't make them look like a toy for a 3-yr old!!!! Edited September 27, 2007 by Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Link to post Share on other sites
kstater94 Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Although there is a general outcry of "foul" right now concerning the markings (especially as you have pointed out in the case of VFA-2) I know the Navy brass are kind of heavy handed at times concerning markings however, I think what you have photographed is actually a jet that hasn't received it's full markings yet. The last time that I was at Lemoore, I photographed several VFA-2 jets that were in various states of "compliance". Unlike Air Force jets that go into a paint barn and come out looking like a new jet with new markings, Navy jets very rarely get their full set of markings in one go at the squadron level. It's usually as the schedule allows and your photograph proves this. What the higher ups really didn't like was how well the markings stood out against the rest of the aircraft. That is part of why they ordered a change to the markings. The other part was having custom painted markings extending over composite areas. I'm sure you will see the skull and some form of Langley chevron return to the tails (like they had in the past) they just need to make sure that the everything is in IAW. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites
Johnopfor Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 I think that the VFA-103 jets look better with the dark grey tails, or better yet, paint them black. Man, I miss the high-viz days............................ Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Sander Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Although there is a general outcry of "foul" right now concerning the markings (especially as you have pointed out in the case of VFA-2) I know the Navy brass are kind of heavy handed at times concerning markings however, I think what you have photographed is actually a jet that hasn't received it's full markings yet.The last time that I was at Lemoore, I photographed several VFA-2 jets that were in various states of "compliance". Unlike Air Force jets that go into a paint barn and come out looking like a new jet with new markings, Navy jets very rarely get their full set of markings in one go at the squadron level. It's usually as the schedule allows and your photograph proves this. What the higher ups really didn't like was how well the markings stood out against the rest of the aircraft. That is part of why they ordered a change to the markings. The other part was having custom painted markings extending over composite areas. I'm sure you will see the skull and some form of Langley chevron return to the tails (like they had in the past) they just need to make sure that the everything is in IAW. Cheers John Oh, it's not just markings. I'm increasingly of the opinion that people in senior leadership get pay bonuses, or more meaningless medals, or whatever, for any morale-suppression shceme they can come up with. And extra bonus points if it squanders scarce dollars and manpower, such as repainting airplanes. Link to post Share on other sites
PBoilermaker Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Eventually, they will all be painted exactly the same. The pilot will check one out of the jet pool, like a motor pool. It's a shame, really. They are already doing that in the P-3 community. Kinda takes the "ownership" out of one's job flying/maintaining the aircraft. Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Aaahhh...the good old days... :D And the better days.. :D Link to post Share on other sites
Johnopfor Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Aaahhh...the good old days... And the better days.. :wub: :wub: Link to post Share on other sites
siesta3 Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I still kind of laugh about it since there was a study that up to certain distances.. no matter what the paint job.. the aircraft looks BLACK! The Air Forces F-22 fighters need just a tad of colored fin flash! Link to post Share on other sites
Jinxter13 Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 (edited) Every since I first saw a Tomcat in these markings this I what I think is my favorite scheme. I like a lot of the others, not all mind you, but this is my next Tomcat build. SO what if its an "A" :D :o :P . VF-84, 114, 111, 33, 142 (New Scheme), 211. Are there any pix of VF-1 when they flew Phantoms? Edited September 28, 2007 by PhantomPhoenix Link to post Share on other sites
sundowner Posted September 28, 2007 Author Share Posted September 28, 2007 Every since I first saw a Tomcat in these markings this I what I think is my favorite scheme. I like a lot of the others, not all mind you, but this is my next Tomcat build. SO what if its an "A" :D . VF-84, 114, 111, 33, 142 (New Scheme), 211. Are there any pix of VF-1 when they flew Phantoms? Hi Phantom phoenix , VF-1 never flew the F-4 , they stood up as a New Tomcat squadron in October 1972 , just like VF-2 . Cheers , Henk Link to post Share on other sites
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