[trex0770]

Originally Posted by TopHat

No...yes...


CAG birds from CVW-5:

That'd be a great lineup of birds for CW to make! I would love to see the E-2 Hawkeye and C-2 Greyhound in 72 scale.

[TopHat]

I don't know how it is now, but it used to be that each squadron had two color birds; modex X00 for the CAG bird and modex X01 for the CO's bird. The remaining birds were low vis livery.

Pilots are assigned an a/c on an as-available basis, so, for instance, Showtime 100 was the VF-96 CAG bird, but was flown by a lowly LT who would use that bird to become an Ace....

[David Hingtgen]

With new Super Hornet regs, it's down to 1 with high-vis markings, 1 low-vis with a TINY amount of color (like, a drop shadow for the modex), and the rest all low-vis. No fuselage striping, no rudder markings. VFA-2's going to be hit HARD when they have to repaint to conform.

VFA-103 had a "deal" that they would give up one high-vis markings plane in order to have all the low-vis ones have dark grey tails, but the new regs say no to that, too.

Of course, paint regulations are rarely followed.

PS--CO names are not on the CAG plane, the CAG's name is. The CO's name is on the CO plane, and the XO name is on the XO plane. But anyone flies anything, any time. (if they're qualified---if the CAG is a former F-14 RIO, don't expect him to be ever be flying "his" E-2C)

As for color--with the reduction in color, more squadrons than ever before are designating the "squadron" plane for the 2nd color plane instead of the CO. (CAG always has color) A "squadron" plane (my term) is when the modex matches the squadron number. IE AG103 for VFA-103, AB211 for VFA-211, etc. It's not always possible----VFA-25 will never have one like that, or VFA-143.

[jjgilz]

I guess I'm late getting in on commenting on the new release. I am a fan of the higher visibilty color scheme of VA-25. There is some interesting news with Century Wings. CW is raising the wholesale price starting with this model forward. We've been told because of material cost ($100 barrel of oil-I'm guessing) as well as transportation costs. This one is currently projected for April delivery now which means that the CW factory must really be busy! Of course their delivery schedule keeps slipping. We were originally expecting the Marauders in late Jan and I was told to expect delivery to our warehouse on 8 March!

Anyways, hope you guys are doing well!

Jeff
AimHigherJets.com

[Kaptin_Kirk]

Here is a picture from Pete's Website.

[parsig9]

Originally Posted by firefighterpilot1

It's not imagination, it's called business sense. They know CAG birds are going to appeal to the masses and that's more important than appealing to a handful of people on the model hangar.

Hey, I found the thread! Yeah, what a nice scheme this is. I've tried to read some about these Corsairs over the last few weeks but still don't get the term CAG birds. I've read some Clancy and looked up the term but most things I find state the CAG or DCAG don't fly much so I'm confuzzled as to how the term is really used in the Navy. Do you mean to say that CW is producing mainly planes that would fall under the command of the CAG in a certain task force or what? Are these old enough that the CAG would have flown more then and led from the air? Pretend I have no idea...which is not too far from the truth.

[firefighterpilot1]

Originally Posted by David Hingtgen

PS--CO names are not on the CAG plane, the CAG's name is. The CO's name is on the CO plane, and the XO name is on the XO plane. But anyone flies anything, any time. (if they're qualified---if the CAG is a former F-14 RIO, don't expect him to be ever be flying "his" E-2C)

You're right, I was thinking something else. If a squadron has two pilots as CO and XO they will put one on each side.

edit: ok, I'm passing bad info again. I was basing this on my pics of VF-31's final cruise birds but I didn't realize the former XO had become the CO at some point after the final cruise. So I was thinking they must have shared birds since the XO's name (now the CO) is on the CO bird.

[David Hingtgen]

parsig9-----the short and simple explanation is that PURELY FOR TRADITION, each squadron on a carrier paints up one of their planes "for the CAG" in bright, colorful colors. The CAG will likely never, or only rarely fly it. But if there's 7 squadrons on board, then there'll be 7 different "CAG planes". The CAG commands the entire wing on a carrier. Each squadron paints up 1 of their planes for their own squadron's commander (which may or may not be THAT colorful), but they will all have to paint up another plane for the CAG, and it will be the most colorful of all. The CAG's plane's modex (nose number) always ends in "00". Just because it's tradition. The squadron commander's (CO) plane will usually be "01". The executive officer (XO) is usually "02". All other numbers are for "regular" pilots. And anyone will fly any plane whenever, simply due to logistics/maintenance. If you get to fly "your" plane on any given day, you're lucky. Though there are times when they try hard to get each guy to "his" plane----first mission of a war, and coming home to your family. Some pilots prefer NOT to fly the CAG plane when possible, due to it being the most visible. Others like to do it exactly because it's colorful and they feel more macho etc by flying into danger with a plane covered in brightly colored stripes when everyone else in the squadron is camoflaged. (VF-2 and VFA-105 are especially noted for doing that)

Up until the early 80's, EVERY plane was bright and colorful, but the CAG's plane was often even more so----if the "normal" planes were bright, then they'd have to add rainbow stripes and metallic gold accents and stars to make the CAG's plane stand out. But nowadays, usually ONLY the CAG plane is colorful, with all the other planes being pure grey.

It has nothing to do with use/command, and everything to do with "old Navy traditions that don't really serve a purpose" (other than morale).

[Louie]

Eureka! I was going to wait until the 4th release but after seeing more pics and hearing of a price increase I have decided this is the one for me. I will only buy another if it is in USAF or ANG colors. I really ony need one each of these beautiful models. The F-4 Phantom by HM will be the only real exception to this self imposed rule. I love the green and I look forward to having this stunner along side my spectacular Black Aces F-14.

[Tundra04]

Now I wish I wouldn't have pre-ordered the Marauders A-7. This is one is much nicer. I understand the concept of releasing less popular or colorful releases first, see Century Wings A-6 and now the A-7, but with the increasing costs of natural materials and transportation, how does a company not get "snake bit" with this process?