bdt13 Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 I have some old decals for the CAG bird in this photo: Link (hint - it's the one on the right). I don't think I believe the instructions that say this is the standard 36375/36320 'ghost' grays. Looking at the light colored national insignia on the fuselage, I'm tempted to say this is overall 36320. Any thoughts on this, or possible written data that would point me one way or the other? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xavi84 Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 This is the first time I've ever seen that squadron! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pix Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 I believe they were known as the 'Privateers'. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TunTavern6541 Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 36320 over 36375 would be correct. It may appear to be one color, but I assure you it is two. The national insignia on 200 looks like it's 36495, while the national insignia on 204 is most likely 35237. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bdt13 Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share Posted June 28, 2014 Okay...looking at this photo, 210 and 200 are both in what I believe to be the darker scheme. 204 is in the traditional two ghost grays. The area under the LERX looks darker on the "dark" ones than it does on 204, and they are all in the same angle to the sun. The stencils on these a/c are also in the same lighter gray as the national insignia. Still open to comments here, but I'd need to hear from: 1. someone in the unit or on this cruise who can definitively explain the difference in appearance, or 2. someone in possession of other documentation related to these aircraft at this time, in order to convince me that at least the lower sides of the fuselage at least are not 36320. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TunTavern6541 Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Okay...looking at this photo, 210 and 200 are both in what I believe to be the darker scheme. 204 is in the traditional two ghost grays. The area under the LERX looks darker on the "dark" ones than it does on 204, and they are all in the same angle to the sun. The stencils on these a/c are also in the same lighter gray as the national insignia. Still open to comments here, but I'd need to hear from: 1. someone in the unit or on this cruise who can definitively explain the difference in appearance, or 2. someone in possession of other documentation related to these aircraft at this time, in order to convince me that at least the lower sides of the fuselage at least are not 36320. I spent 16 years of a 22 year career in the Marine Corps on and around the F/A-18. I have over 3500 photos of the F/A-18 from numerous locations and have been documenting its service and markings with the Marine Corps since 1989. Almost all of the documentation I have on the aircraft's painting and markings overlap documents for Navy Hornets. The official paint scheme for the Hornet has been 36320 over 36375 since 1987 and during the early years of its service, there was no deviation from the official scheme. However, You do not have to take my word for it. Good luck with your continued search for an answer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 -Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 (edited) Dang...have to admit, sure does look different from all the other hornets. Darker for sure. I know full well from Tomcats how 3 shades blend together, but....dang. On the aerial shot I was ready to dismiss it, but these ground shots....wow....definitely see what you mean. Edited June 29, 2014 by Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andre Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Countershading at work! Cheers, Andre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I'm inclined to say that 200 (and 203 in the formation picture) are painted overall Dark Ghost Gray. The tricky part is the national insignia and squadron markings being in a light gray. That tends to skew how we perceive the surrounding color. However, if you look at the shot above of 200, compare the tank with the fuselage. Both are getting direct sunlight. The tank is decidedly lighter (Light Ghost Gray) than the fuselage (Dark Ghost Gray). There is also no evidence of a demarcation line on the fuselage that would delineate the two colors. I love the black anti-glare panel. I think they may be one of the only Hornet squadrons to do that. It also appears that 200 has a non-standard walkway on the LEX's. It seems to go all the way to the tip of the LEX. Interesting stuff! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bdt13 Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 (edited) Wow! Didn't think this would generate this level of discussion, and additional photos were more than I had hoped for. Thanks everyone who posted. I'm strongly considering putting this into the upcoming Hornet group build. So many bugs to build, so little time... EDIT: Found many more photos of this bird at this page. Looks like more than two planes were in this dark scheme. Also note the unusual shape of the anti-glare panel on 200. Edited June 29, 2014 by bdt13 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Yep, you've found a gem! Just when you think you've seen it all, you hit pay dirt! Thanks for this! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bdt13 Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 Well, I'm disappointed. I pulled out the decal sheet (Super Scale 72-606) and lo and behold, while the unit marks appear to be the right color and font, they printed all the stencils in a darker gray. Does anyone know of any F/A-18 national markings and stencils in light gray (36375 or 36495)? I'm concerned that since this is an unusual scheme, maybe it has never been done correctly... Aftermarket companies, this scheme may be an opportunity (paging Mark S.)... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnopfor Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 (edited) I have some old decals for the CAG bird in this photo: Link (hint - it's the one on the right). I don't think I believe the instructions that say this is the standard 36375/36320 'ghost' grays. Looking at the light colored national insignia on the fuselage, I'm tempted to say this is overall 36320. Any thoughts on this, or possible written data that would point me one way or the other? Okay...looking at this photo, 210 and 200 are both in what I believe to be the darker scheme. 204 is in the traditional two ghost grays. The area under the LERX looks darker on the "dark" ones than it does on 204, and they are all in the same angle to the sun. The stencils on these a/c are also in the same lighter gray as the national insignia. Still open to comments here, but I'd need to hear from: 1. someone in the unit or on this cruise who can definitively explain the difference in appearance, or 2. someone in possession of other documentation related to these aircraft at this time, in order to convince me that at least the lower sides of the fuselage at least are not 36320. I'm inclined to say that 200 (and 203 in the formation picture) are painted overall Dark Ghost Gray. The tricky part is the national insignia and squadron markings being in a light gray. That tends to skew how we perceive the surrounding color. However, if you look at the shot above of 200, compare the tank with the fuselage. Both are getting direct sunlight. The tank is decidedly lighter (Light Ghost Gray) than the fuselage (Dark Ghost Gray). There is also no evidence of a demarcation line on the fuselage that would delineate the two colors. I love the black anti-glare panel. I think they may be one of the only Hornet squadrons to do that. It also appears that 200 has a non-standard walkway on the LEX's. It seems to go all the way to the tip of the LEX. Interesting stuff! Well, I'm disappointed. I pulled out the decal sheet (Super Scale 72-606) and lo and behold, while the unit marks appear to be the right color and font, they printed all the stencils in a darker gray. :bandhead2:/>/>/> Does anyone know of any F/A-18 national markings and stencils in light gray (36375 or 36495)? I'm concerned that since this is an unusual scheme, maybe it has never been done correctly... Aftermarket companies, this scheme may be an opportunity (paging Mark S.)... I have a copy of CAM Decals 72-007 that has a line bird of VFA-132 aboard Forrestal in 1990. According to the instructions, the aircraft was overall FS 36375. The national insignia appears to be in the same grey as SuperScale 72-606, but no standard airframe stencils are provided. Edited June 29, 2014 by Johnopfor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Johnopfor Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Wow! Didn't think this would generate this level of discussion, and additional photos were more than I had hoped for. Thanks everyone who posted. I'm strongly considering putting this into the upcoming Hornet group build. Interesting squadron and insignia development that began with "What the Hell...?', to "Ho, hum", up to "That's freakin' cool!".........in my opinion, their later markings are one of the best on any Legacy Hornet squadron. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bdt13 Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 Johnopfor- Yes, I did see some photos from the later cruise on Forrestal, it seems they went from all dark ghost gray to all light ghost gray! Yet another sheet (the CAM sheet) for me to track down if I ever do the full unit history. And yes, I agree that with the ship on the tail and the cursive markings, this is one of the best looking USN Hornet squadrons ever! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) I've always really liked their "Buccaneers" era markings as well ... >>> Clicky <<< -Gregg Edited June 30, 2014 by GreyGhost Quote Link to post Share on other sites
polybebber Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I've always really liked their "Buccaneers" era markings as well ... >>> Clicky <<< -Gregg -Gregg Agreed Lothar Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jozef57 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Agreed :thumbsup:/> Lothar YES I want to do this one in 32nd Jozef Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bdt13 Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 I've always really liked their "Buccaneers" era markings as well ... Yes, I have these markings on RepliScale sheet 1016. The paint scheme for -132 was the typical dark over light ghost gray at that time. There is a photo piece in the Feb 88 Koku-Fan on the Buccaneers in these markings deploying to Iwakuni. BTW, the same issue also has an article featuring reserve units VFA-303 and -305's F/A-18As wearing the original hornet three-tone scheme. Markings for these aircraft are also on the same RepliScale sheet, but have multiple errors in font and text color. Some decal sheets are a bit dodgy, I'd say this is one of them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jinxter13 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I've always really liked their "Buccaneers" era markings as well ... >>> Clicky <<< -Gregg Ahhhhhh yes....when the legacy Hornets first hit the fleet they had some outstanding markings, and those that have managed to elude d'com have gone away from the snazzy and jazzy markings such as VFA-151 "Vigilantes" , that skull in the middle of some atoms with valence rings was Sierra Hotel!!!, VFA-15 Valions original markings were exquisite, the new ones...meh. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spook498 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) ... and those that have managed to elude d'com have gone away from the snazzy and jazzy markings such as VFA-151 "Vigilantes" , that skull in the middle of some atoms with valence rings was Sierra Hotel!!! -151 still uses that logo, but it is on the insides of the tails of their Supers. As for -132, there is the Repliscale sheet, a Microscale sheet and the CAM sheet. I have all 3, but think I am going to use the CAM sheet, as the Microscale sheet only has the ship for 1 side, and the CAG logo for the other. Ive been planning on doing a -132 bird since I first saw them in a Lock On book, 20 years ago. Edited June 30, 2014 by Spook498 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VFA-103guy Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I have some old decals for the CAG bird in this photo: Link (hint - it's the one on the right). I don't think I believe the instructions that say this is the standard 36375/36320 'ghost' grays. Looking at the light colored national insignia on the fuselage, I'm tempted to say this is overall 36320. Any thoughts on this, or possible written data that would point me one way or the other? Aaah..the good ole' Privateers from VFA-132! I was researching these jets quite a while back, and this was what I had found. That 200 jet is definitely overall 36320, however the other jets are the standard 2 tone greys. The anti-glare panel on 200 is black, and I **think** it was black on the line jets to from what I had obtained from a guy who was a maintainer with them back in the day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TunTavern6541 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Interesting......and I may stand corrected. Time to hit up my normal research 'go to' people again to see if I can get more information. Will also revisit my document library to see if I missed anything. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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