11bee Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 CWO-4? Army pilot getting an incentive ride? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GW8345 Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 The squadrons Weapons Officer, ie, the Gunner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 Is it SOP to paint his name on the bird? I can only assume this is a rare ride. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 44 minutes ago, Slartibartfast said: Is it SOP to paint his name on the bird? I can only assume this is a rare ride. I think for certain incentive rides, they would paint the guy's name on the aircraft. Probably was removed a short time later, once he got his "hero" pics taken. Nice touch, for sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GW8345 Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 1 hour ago, Slartibartfast said: Is it SOP to paint his name on the bird? I can only assume this is a rare ride. It varies from squadron to squadron, names are painted on the aircraft in order of rank, the Gunner is pretty low on the totem pole. Some squadrons will put four names on one bird, two on one side and two different on the other so if the squadron is a Super Hornet (like the one picture, that is a VFA-211 bird) then they will put all officer's names on a bird, and will even do some of senior enlisted like the CMC and MMCPO. Other squadrons will but one name on both sides so not everyone will get their name on a bird since squadrons will have more pilots/back seater's than they have aircraft. The junior officers and ground pounders (non-flying officers) won't get their name on the bird. Again, it all depends on the squadron. 99% of the time, if the person is going for ride, they won't paint their name on the bird, the only time they would do it is if it was VIP and press coverage was involved. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian P: Fightertown Decals Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 (edited) CO decides what names go on what birds ultimately. MX does up the paint stuff. Lots of time CAG and CO jets will get senior enlisted on the canopy. Sometimes skipper says 'do this'. Sometimes MX CC paints them and says 'look what we did'. It really varies - names, callsign, rank, initials, placement, fonts. I've even seen it be a competition to determine order of names. Brian Edited June 30, 2018 by Brian P: Fightertown Decals Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 How do the modex/sidenumbers tie in to seniority. It's my understanding (told to me a pilot) that the new guys (ie: low on the totem pole) get their names on the higher numbered jets. They lower the modex, the more senior you are. Is that the way it works? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian P: Fightertown Decals Posted June 30, 2018 Share Posted June 30, 2018 (edited) X00 - CAG/DCAG X01 -CO (sometimes CO/XO x02 - XO/senior LCDR and on down. By the time you get to X10 - X14 you've got the youngest/newest pilots. Sometimes even into the Intel/Ground Pounder officers. Or you've run out of airframes for names and the LTJG/ENS don't get on a plane. Edited June 30, 2018 by Brian P: Fightertown Decals Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Finn Posted July 13, 2018 Share Posted July 13, 2018 Here is group of SH on deck, note radomes vary between a/c from light to dark: Jari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Finn Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 (edited) A line up of of F-22s from above: Jari Edited July 21, 2018 by Finn Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Collin Posted July 21, 2018 Author Share Posted July 21, 2018 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 Now THAT is an interesting shot. It shows the cause of the paint discolorations along the bottom of the aircraft. And in this case, why there are "clean" spots. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Collin Posted July 24, 2018 Author Share Posted July 24, 2018 Little AGM-65F IR Maverick love for all: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Collin Posted August 6, 2018 Author Share Posted August 6, 2018 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 Boss bird nice and clean. Imagine that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Decals needed ! -Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 They are out there in both 1/32 and 1/48. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted August 24, 2018 Share Posted August 24, 2018 Thanks Shawn, I'll BOLO for those then! -Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
eraucubsfan Posted August 24, 2018 Share Posted August 24, 2018 Reid/Speed Hunter has them in 32nd http://www.reidairpublishing.com/product-p/shg32011.htm Furball has them in 48 http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/fur48067.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tosouthern66 Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 On 6/24/2018 at 9:22 AM, GW8345 said: USN Ordies use to call them "beer cans", not sure if they still did though. That's what we called them in VFA-151 back in the A Hornet days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shion Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 (edited) a first: embarked carrier-based modex for a F-35 Edited August 29, 2018 by shion Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted August 29, 2018 Share Posted August 29, 2018 Holy cow! The Argo's got the first F-35C's? I didn't realize they had started out-fitting a fleet squadron. Most excellent! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spook498 Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 They have been in transition for awhile now. I think this is the last step before being certified Safe for Flight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FAR148 Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 https://pilotonline.com/news/military/local/article_23811e14-a53a-11e8-a333-73aec78d8ae9.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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