-
Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?
Go here:
Edit Account Details and Profile
Centennial Paint Schemes
- Thread starter HeyJoe
- Start date
Even if the paint schemes were contracted, I don't see us going this route simply because it would take birds out of the fight. Sure, most squadrons do the "Double Nuts"-type paint jobs, but I don't see the CO of a Marine squadron giving up one of his aircraft for any length of time simply for a makeover. Hell, phases (and post-phase FCFs!) keep birds out of the fight long enough.
I can see HMM Phrogdriver standing before the skipper someday: "Well, Sir, I understand that Ops wanted to get Capt Benotz his DivLead X last night, but we've got two birds in phase, two others are about to be dropped into phase and don't have the hours on them, four are down from when your WTIs broke 'em the night before, and one went down in the chocks when we started her up last night." "Hey, Phrog, that's 9 birds. We still have three more, right? That means we should've gotten the flight out!" "Well, Sir, we have three more birds, but one of 'em has been at the paint shop all week getting a super-sweet digi camouflage Centennial design. It should be back in about a week or so, then we've got to do some specials on it."
(Then there's VMM Phrogdriver: "Well, Sir, I understand that we wanted to get Capt Benotz his DivLead X last night, but we ain't got no up aircraft!")
Yeh especially when right now we have a grand total of TWO aircraft on our line and we are beating the shit out of both daily.
I'm pretty sure all of these are painted during normal, depot level maintenance periods. Ours took a day and a half in the paint shop; not sure how long a normal paint job takes but that doesn't seem especially egregious, considering how long the damn thing sat on our line with an engine that was fooked.
2sr2worry
Naval Aviation=world's greatest team sport
The paint schemes were mostly applied during PMI events, either at the FRC's or at commercial depots. Since painting is already an element of the PMI budgeted price, the choice to apply a historical scheme vice the typical scheme was essentially cost neutral. A few schemes that did not involve total repaints were applied by squadrons. Approval for each scheme was via a three step process.
a) Historical authenticity of each scheme was verified by CNAF CoNA historian
b) CNAF aircraft class desk ensured there were no technical issues re scheme application
c) CNAF maintenance policy desk then granted NAMP waiver
a) Historical authenticity of each scheme was verified by CNAF CoNA historian
b) CNAF aircraft class desk ensured there were no technical issues re scheme application
c) CNAF maintenance policy desk then granted NAMP waiver
With the exception of the Whidbey Growler out there flying in a Centennial scheme, I'm told they are.
The Growler, though, was done by the squadron folks.
All were done by squadrons, except the Growler, which was done by the squadron?
110211-N-ZS026-084 SAN DIEGO (Feb. 11, 2011) An aviation boatswain's mate assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) directs an F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter piloted by Lt. Jack Stewart, assigned to the Blue Dolphins of Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 203, down the flight line at Naval Air Station North Island. Hundreds of current and historic Navy aircraft are on display at the Naval Air Station North Island flight line to participate in the Centennial of Naval Aviation open house and Parade of Flight Feb. 12. The Navy is observing the Centennial of Naval Aviation with a series of nationwide events celebrating 100 years of heritage, progress and achievement in naval aviation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Trevor Welsh/Released)
No question, the aquaflage looks gay on anything from JO SDOs to F/A-18s. But Hornets sure do look beautiful in these WWII schemes.
110211-N-ZS026-084 SAN DIEGO (Feb. 11, 2011) An aviation boatswain's mate assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) directs an F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter piloted by Lt. Jack Stewart, assigned to the Blue Dolphins of Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 203, down the flight line at Naval Air Station North Island. Hundreds of current and historic Navy aircraft are on display at the Naval Air Station North Island flight line to participate in the Centennial of Naval Aviation open house and Parade of Flight Feb. 12. The Navy is observing the Centennial of Naval Aviation with a series of nationwide events celebrating 100 years of heritage, progress and achievement in naval aviation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Trevor Welsh/Released)
In the background you can see the TW-5 T-6B in it's Yellow Peril scheme, and the CC T-34 in its "we had some extra green paint lying around" paint scheme.
The yellow is classic. Unfortunately its not visually stunning, but at least they did a good job of honoring the original Texans.
I think both of the TAW 4 birds look great. Not as good as the K'rock jets, but they still look pretty good.
It's actually honoring the Stearman, and perhaps something that may have come before it. It's loud, but I agree, it's a neat paint job when you recognize its heritage.
Phrog, as was mentioned, the paint jobs are usually done during PMI, but sometimes the squadron can get away with painting it, depending on how complex the job is. We looked at doing up our non-deployer, but it was a bunch of money and it would have taken the bird off the line for 2 weeks. We're going to make it a show bird instead, since our original show bird has been OOC for 2 years and is now sitting in North Island in pieces, but slowly getting healthier.
