GreyGhost Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 So, I'm looking at photos on the Navy Newsstand and spot this ... >>> Hi-Res <<< It's of an VFA-115 Eagles Rhino that clearly has the newest ECS pipes, did they switch airframes or have their Rhinos gotten these retrofitted ? I know it's been stated that these wouldn't be retrofitted but some indicators are starting to point to the contrary ... Like Daniel's photos of a non ACS F model from VFA-122 having the pipes ... Curiouser and curiouser ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 These are up on the NN also ... >>> Hi-Res <<< (Note the Modex on the nose) EAST CHINA SEA (March 16, 2008) Capt. Michael Manazir, commanding officer of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), performs a high speed fly-by in an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, before making his career 1,000th trap. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is deployed with the U.S. 7th Fleet operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. The 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed fleets with approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John Wagner Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Yeah, I agree Willie, some of it might be airframe reassignments but it looks like there might be more to it ... Just means we have to be more careful with the reference photos ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fuji Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 (edited) These are up on the NN also ... >>> Hi-Res <<< (Note the Modex on the nose) EAST CHINA SEA (March 16, 2008) Capt. Michael Manazir, commanding officer of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), performs a high speed fly-by in an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, before making his career 1,000th trap. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is deployed with the U.S. 7th Fleet operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. The 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed fleets with approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John Wagner Gregg F/A-18E? VFA-14 Tophatters? W.T.F? And someone really needs to check their camera settings! Talk about NOISE! Navy News scares me sometimes! Edited March 19, 2008 by Fuji Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shadowy_one Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 Yeah navy news ruin great shots with some of the qlty thats uploaded Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rhinotank Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 The Kestrals last 6 jets departed for their cruise today. They were led out by this interestingly painted CAG bird. The Kestrals tail markings are commonly refered to as the "Flying Butt Cheeks". Would this make them the "Flaming Butt Cheeks"??? Just a thought... Tank Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rhinotank Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Never having really been a fan of the Kestrel markings to begin with I must say that CAG bird looks pretty sharp...Tucks Medicaded Pads jokes aside...flamming butt cheeks is right.... I mean SURELY somebody had to look at that and think, umm Skipper, maybe this isn't a good idea?! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John B Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Good to see you back on the boards Tank. Equally good to see you putting those Photobucket skills to good use. S/Fi 5-Bravo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Nice jet ... the "flame" part does seem a little out of place though ... Thanks for sharing those ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Hegedus Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Never having really been a fan of the Kestrel markings to begin with I must say that CAG bird looks pretty sharp...Tucks Medicaded Pads jokes aside...flamming butt cheeks is right.... I've never been much of a fan of thier markings, either, but I disagree with you. That scheme is "butt"-ugly! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pollie Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 I've never been much of a fan of thier markings, either, but I disagree with you. That scheme is "butt"-ugly! Maybe it will be ´love on second sight´, Joe. Don´t like it that much either, but wouldn´t say no against a set of decals in 1/72.......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Hey Tank, here's the other end of your photos ... >>> Hi-Res <<< Cool ! Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian P: Fightertown Decals Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Well....ummm..... I guess they decided to really put the 'flaming' in "flaming butt cheeks"! I'm sure someone out there will look at the pictures and say "FABULOUSSSS" I can't decide if the flag motif tries to give it a level of respectability or just makes the um...let's say "happy" connection worse. Either way, I wouldn't want to be in that squadron. Not that there's anything wrong with that... -brian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Woooo, better get some Prep H for those flaming butt cheeks. Nasty. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike5401 Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 (edited) Wow...137's new CAG scheme is FUGLY! Sorry, it looks like the guy's.......I mean Ladies from the "Qu33r Eye For The Straight Guy" got a hold of that jet and gave it a SUE-PHER makeover! As the 2 guys from "In Living Color" would say: HATED IT! Mike Edited March 24, 2008 by Mike5401 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Sander Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Wow...137's new CAG scheme is FUGLY! Sorry, it looks like the guy's.......I mean Ladies from the "Qu33r Eye For The Straight Guy" got a hold of that jet and gave it a SUE-PHER makeover! As the 2 guys from "In Living Color" would say: HATED IT! Mike Now THAT'S funny Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Hegedus Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 (edited) Maybe it will be ´love on second sight´, Joe. Don´t like it that much either, but wouldn´t say no against a set of decals in 1/72.......... I don't think I'd go for decals for that one in any scale; but then I've already got a "non-flaming" set of markings for 137 so I don't need any more. Actually, even if I DIDN'T already have markings for the squadron, I wouldn't go for that scheme. I don't like it. Edited March 24, 2008 by Joe Hegedus Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ravensfan6711 Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Just awful. I wish they would have consulted model builders before they ruined a perfectly good Super Hornet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
raptor22 Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 The new VFA-137 CAG bird looks ok... I dont necessary love it, but I'll still buy the decals from Bob when he releases it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 The Kestrals tail markings are commonly refered to as the "Flying Butt Cheeks".Would this make them the "Flaming Butt Cheeks"??? :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shadowy_one Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 they need to lay off the curry! IMO ugliest CAG scheme i have ever seen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnopfor Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 Hey look, it's the Flammin' Fanny!! Maybe the CAG just lit a fart......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jinxter13 Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 (edited) That's going back to the first scheme for VF-142 when they first got '14's not very pleasing to the eye........., but how is it supposed to look!!,.................with its @ss on fire?!!!...... Edited March 24, 2008 by Angels49 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Sander Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 "This paint scheme brought to you by Preparation H" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted March 24, 2008 Share Posted March 24, 2008 The Kestrels really need to look into getting a new logo ... Please ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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