dsahling Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 So I've almost got Jester's A-4 completed on my workbench, and I was thinking about some future projects to do with my other A-4 kit laying around. In the movie 'Top Gun' the scene where Maverick and Goose go up against Viper has two A-4s in it. The first wears the same tan, brown, dark green camo I'm working on already, my question is the other A-4 which is shown briefly, it looks like either a light grey or some kind of light tan?, does anyone have any photos or know which scheme it is? Thanks Dan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Netz Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Try looking at other scenes from the movie, I recall (I haven't seen it in a while) that there were 2 A-4's when they were 1st in the Briefing "Hanger"..... Curt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 I haven't watched it in years but IIRC the DVD had a 'feature' video that interviewed the pilots, and may have shown the other aircraft. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 If it has a refueling probe its #52, if not, then its #53. The difference between these two aircrafts is that #52 was painted with the Ferris paint scheme and #53 had a two-tone gray scheme. Though, I don't remember their SN numbers. Good luck with your search/build!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JEN722 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 All A-4E/Fs had refuelling probes. Jens Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spejic Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 The aircraft is in silhouette during most of the scene. The only time you see it clearly is head-on. Hopefully someone can do something with that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) I believe it's "Topgun 53" . There are two good photos it in George Hall's Miramar Superbase book. And Sernak is right, 53 had its refueling probe removed and capped off. -Gregg Edited October 3, 2014 by GreyGhost Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike5401 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) If it has a refueling probe its #52, if not, then its #53. The difference between these two aircrafts is that #52 was painted with the Ferris paint scheme and #53 had a two-tone gray scheme. Though, I don't remember their SN numbers. Good luck with your search/build!!! All A-4E/Fs had refuelling probes. Jens From the looks of it, it looks like the jet in question is #53 and your right SERNAK #53 DID NOT have a refueling probe! #53 was the one that was painted in the Heater Ferris scheme, while #52 was in a 2 Tone Gray Camo scheme. Looking at the stills from Top Gun I don't see a refueling probe on it so it leads me to believe that jet is indeed #53. I have about 5 really good pics of #53 but unfortunately I can not share them. :(/> I can give you the BUNO's for both jets, #53 NA-4F 152101, #52 A-4E 151033. Hope that helps some. Thanks Mike Edited October 2, 2014 by Mike5401 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dmk0210 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Is this it? http://a4skyhawk.org/content/buno-152101-nfws-53-na-4f Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 (edited) Is this it? http://a4skyhawk.org/content/buno-152101-nfws-53-na-4f That's it pre Top Gun movie timeframe. Here is TG 52 as it appeared in the Summer of 1986. (my own photo) Its in the Heater-Ferris scheme. HTHs -Gregg Edited October 3, 2014 by GreyGhost Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 (edited) Gregg and Mike, thanks guys for confirming my point of view about #53. I think there is a book or magazine that mentions something about the reason why the refueling probe was removed but, I can't remember which one is it :bandhead2:/> Anyways, I think both schemes look great and they're in my future "to-do" list!!! By the way, Dave (dmk0210), I don't think the date is right in the photo's link you have posted. My opinion is that this photo is from the last days of the NFWS Skyhawks, during the early 90s. Edited October 3, 2014 by SERNAK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JEN722 Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 I never noticed that #53 was missing its IFR probe, but I have now found a picture on my computer that confirms it. It would be interesting to know the reason why. Jens Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dsahling Posted October 3, 2014 Author Share Posted October 3, 2014 Jens, could you either post or send me that photo? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brian P: Fightertown Decals Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 The date on the linked pictures for 1983 is correct. Bruce was really good about his dates and with the F-5 in the background, that confirms the timeframe. Plus being around TOPGUN During the last of the A-4s, I can tell you there was no paint scheme like that at that time. Brian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dsahling Posted October 4, 2014 Author Share Posted October 4, 2014 Brian, would you consider doing decals for #53 some time in the future? 1/32nd scale included... :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JEN722 Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Jens, could you either post or send me that photo? Upon checking all the adversary A-4E/F pictures I have, I have now found two A-4E/Fs without IFR probe (unless it's the same airframe). This is one of them: Unfortunately I am not at liberty to show the other picture as I don't have permission from the photographer to do so. Jens Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dsahling Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 Nice! Now as for the FS colors, what are we thinking? Looks similar to the "ghost scheme" used on Greek Jets? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Jens, i believe the photo you posted above is of the "other" Scooter. #53's IFR probe was capped off just fore and aft of the step. About 6 inches fore and aft. HTHs -Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JEN722 Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Jens, i believe the photo you posted above is of the "other" Scooter. #53's IFR probe was capped off just fore and aft of the step. About 6 inches fore and aft. HTHs -Gregg You're right, Gregg. Jens Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 The date on the linked pictures for 1983 is correct. Brian Yeap, you're right Brian. After having a second look at the photo I also noticed the 159881 F-5E from NFWS. Great 'camo'!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Jens Hi Jens, This looks like a VF-43 Superfox. Is it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Nice! Now as for the FS colors, what are we thinking? Looks similar to the "ghost scheme" used on Greek Jets? One of the two colors should be FS-36375. The other one....... Any thoughts? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 Nice! Now as for the FS colors, what are we thinking? Looks similar to the "ghost scheme" used on Greek Jets? Almost definitely. Same as on the Greek planes, as well as on the F-16N's as delivered, and on pretty much everything VF-43 flew in the 80's including the Kfirs. I don't have FS numbers handy, but ModelMaster colors are Light Sea Gray, Aggressor Gray, and Medium Gray. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 I thought you meant the #53s scheme - colors. The "Ghost" colors are: FS-35237, 36307 AND 36251. These are the colors that VF-43 used on their Skyhawks (as well, on its 'fleet' of F-5s, T-2s and F-21s) during 1987. Ofcourse there are other combinations that the squadron had used from time to time such as, the 36495, 36320 and 36375. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Any progress on this matter??? By the way, after looking at some photos of the #53 151033, I've noticed that the FS-35164 is either missing or faded to a point that it's not recognizable. Any thoughts??? Could it be that #53 was also painted in a two-tone camouflage but, with a different pattern than that of the #52? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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