Beautiful VF-111 Phantom photo
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Thread: Beautiful VF-111 Phantom photo

  1. #1

    Beautiful VF-111 Phantom photo

    Saw this on FB. Wanted to share. Looks like CAG bird. NC

    Click image for larger version. 

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  2. #2
    And a very colorful one at that, one of my favs for the Phantom. Also, -111 ran with the matching helmets for years as well.
    Fly Navy/Army
    USN SAR
    DUSTOFF/ARMY PROPS

  3. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by Victory103 View Post
    And a very colorful one at that, one of my favs for the Phantom. Also, -111 ran with the matching helmets for years as well.
    I distinctly remember the squadrons I was with at Cecil Field, (VA-15 and VA-83) had matching helmets for all pilots as well. Wouldn't that be the usual thing? NC

  4. #4
    Yes, matching helmets is the norm. The movie Top Gun seems to have given the impression that it is more like formula 1

  5. #5
    Yes, matching helmets is the norm.
    That's really up to the squadron leadership. All the Navy requires
    is that the helmets be highly visible, including the use of reflective tape. All so that SAR can see them more easily. Essentially, barring any requirements by the squadron, the pilots are free to decorate their helmets as they wish, as long as the guidelines are met.
    Yes, it looks sharp to have the helmets all match in a squadron, but the Navy doesn't require it. Hence, the helmets seen in Top Gun.
    Some of them might have been a bit close to the visibility requirement, like Merlin's, but...

    OPNAVINST 3710.7U CH 43
    8.2.1 Aircrew Personal Protective Equipment Requirements
    a. *Protective helmet — The helmet shall be 100 percent covered with
    white reflective tape except as modified by approved aircrew system changes.
    Up to 30 square inches of light-colored reflective tape may be applied so
    long as the white tape remains visible from all directions. The use of
    reflective tape may degrade NVD performance. Temporary, nonreflective cloth
    covers may be worn over the reflective tape.

    Does that help?
    Pat☺
    Fly Free, always!
    Sgt of Marines
    USMC, 10 years proud service.
    Inactive now...

  6. #6

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by joe bob View Post
    But matching helmets are the norm
    Yes. And the reason has to with squadron spirit/teamwork. About the only personalization I ever saw was the pilot's call signs in reflective tape.

    But then again, today's "new" Navy has changed..... Don't get me started on that crap, shipmates! NC

  8. #8
    Great pic, NC! The F-4 always looked like it could muscle its way in and out of trouble! I remember some of the best airshows I attended as a kid were when the Angels and Tbirds were using Phantoms. Randy Cunningham used to call them "smoke and thunder F-4 hogs".

    "Hornets by mandate, Tomcats by choice!"

  9. #9
    As PhantomTweak brought up 3710, although a newer version. Back in the day I don't think that existed in NAVAIR. From my early 90s on, we had to have the 100/30% tape, even helped my PR bud tape my own HGU helmet. Fast forward to present day, the squadron has a set tape stencil, with individual callsigns added as most have seen in the 'Tube vids. Other aircrew traditions seem to still be around like Friday Flight-suits (color).
    Fly Navy/Army
    USN SAR
    DUSTOFF/ARMY PROPS

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