OT: 100 yrs of Naval Aviation

[YankeeAirRat]

With the upcoming centennial of Naval Aviation more then a few squadrons around the US are going for a retro scheme. VX-30 just sent one of thier S-3s to the Naval Avation Depot (NADEP) in Jacksonville for a paint job. They decided to go with the 1942 tri-color scheme like what one would have seen just after the war started tween 1941 and 1942.
Linky to the article

Linky to Chief of Public Information's webpage on the centennial.

[LeeChard]

Wow!! That looks great!

[wdolson]

That's interesting, though I think that's a bicolor scheme.  The color pattern I find most attractive is the three color scheme introduced in late 43 that lasted until they went to the solid glossy blue.

With the retro color schemes it will make modelers happy.  Some interesting new color combinations to put on modern aircraft.

Bill

[jetjockey]

Awesome! Looking good! [8D]

[funngunner]

I love that! Particularly that little designation on the side: 30-X-1. It's a nice little throwback to the old days of "6-F-1" markings!

Also, total geek moment, just noticed in that shot that the S-3's main landing gear look a LOT like the F4F's gear. Or are my eyes just playin' tricks on me?

[Pascal_slith]

ORIGINAL: funngunner

I love that! Particularly that little designation on the side: 30-X-1. It's a nice little throwback to the old days of "6-F-1" markings!

Also, total geek moment, just noticed in that shot that the S-3's main landing gear look a LOT like the F4F's gear. Or are my eyes just playin' tricks on me?

YUP!

[wdolson]

That looks like the Olympic Air Museum's Wildcat.  I think it's actually an FM-2 painted in early war colors.  Still nice to see a flying Wildcat.

Bill

[Keifer]

The Navy is planning a big flyover for Feb 12 next year to commemorate 100 years of Navy Air

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010 ... centennia/

[SuluSea]

I've always had a soft spot for the colors on those planes.


Going into the way back machine it's one of the USN's finest Marc Mitscher in an NC-1 preparing to fly across the Atlantic.

[Mundy]

ORIGINAL: wdolson

That looks like the Olympic Air Museum's Wildcat.  I think it's actually an FM-2 painted in early war colors.  Still nice to see a flying Wildcat.

Bill

I'm not so sure, Bill. Not a good view of the tail (the giveaway), and I see no seam for the wing fold. I'm pretty sure it's a dash-3. There is one making the airshows (it's been to Oshkosh quite a bit) in that scheme, which was pulled out of Lake Michigan and restored.

Ed-

[Canoerebel]

Okay, men, now a quiz for you:

Who is credited as "the Father of Naval Aviation"?

Hint:  He was from my hometown, where the little regional airfield is named in his honor, and his father was a colonel in the 8th Georgia Infantry during the Civil War.

P.S. You can select him as a commander of a USN TF in our beloved game.

[DOCUP]

Glenn Curtis?

[Canoerebel]

Several have been known as "the Father of Naval Aviation," including Curtis and Moffett, but I'm looking for another gent, which is why I gave the additional clues.
 
Bonus question:  What was the most famous naval aviation exploit of the gent I'm referring to?

[SuluSea]

I cheated though [;)]