Sundowners or Skulls?

Since they were flying Corsairs, VF-17 felt that their squadron badge should have a pirate theme. Also they did not want to go with the usual "cartoon character" type of badge. So they chose the pirate flag - looks totally cool on the nose of an F4U !

VF-17's XO Roger Hedrick was the CO of VF-84 aboard the Bunker Hill, and I believe he eventually became the CAG. Roger reached acedom with VF-17, and added to his total with VF-84. A few other VF-17 alumni were with VF-84 as well. Both John M. Smith and "Chico" Freeman had scored kills with VF-17 and became aces with VF-84.

So considering VF-84's lineage, I think it is appropriate for their F-14's to have the pirate flag.

Jim

Actually, I've always wanted to do a Tom in a temporary scheme. This one would be high on the list. It fits the dark and sinister persona of this bird:




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I think the reason for the Skull and Crossbones was "skull and crossbones = pirate ship = Corsair = F4U = VF-17"

And that's why we have such things as this forum where we can all argue about this stuff!!


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Don't confuse what I said, I only said skull and crossbones don't seem very "tomcat" to me. I didn't say anything about them not being very "navy." My comment about them being a marine thing is that skull and crossbones are menacing. I know most marine jets don't have art on the tails but anyone who has been to a Marine base will know that skull and skull and crossbones are all over the place.

Mostlyjets, your logic is a bit flawed with "skull and crossbones=pirates, pirates=ships, ships=navy"; by your logic this would work; Skull and crossbones=pirates, pirates=rape and murder, rape and murder=Mike Tyson and OJ.

I think the vf-84/103 is one of the coolest Tomcat logos, I just think the Sundowners art better fits the image of the Tomcat. I don't see the Tomcat as sinister, dark and nasty.

Now I'm up to $0.4.

Yesiree, bob. Jolly Roger = Maritime = Navy

Sundowners markings did look rather snazzy on F-4's, especially the mouth. I never quite liked most of the renditions on the Tomcat except some of the low viz stuff.

The F-14's a dark, nasty, sinister 'Mutha'. This bird was born for low-viz greys, and black. A splash of yellow and red is okay too. But too much in the way of bright red & white markings don't seem to convey dark, nasty or sinister!


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Heck, I just started my 1/48th Hasegawa F-14A of VF-84 Jolly Rogers- with the Black Box cockpit. You can be my wingman!

Someday I'll get around to doing the Sundowner's as well, after I get around to 384 other projects! LOL!

"The skull and crossbones don't seem very "Tomcat" to me, they seem like more of a Marine thing"...huh? Skull and crossbones=Pirates, Pirates=ships, ships=Navy. Most Marine squadrons don't have tail art. I do like VF-111's markings though. They looked really good on their F-8's and great on their F-4's. That's where the shark mouth looked the best!

I am going to go with nwilliams and vote for VF-111 "Sundowners". I always liked the looks of their aircraft.

Oh by the way, nwilliams, do you know what was the second choice for the F-86's name? It was "Impala". The F-8 was "Muffin". Call my favorite fighter "Buttercup" will you.

Well in response to the original topic I vote for the Sundowners. The skull and crossbones don't seem very "Tomcat" to me, they seem like more of a Marine thing. The Sundowners logo is elegant, like the big jets they adorn. Just my $0.2.

Well, some time back about half of the F-14 units got slashed and VF-84 was one of them.
VF-103 then took on the Jolly Roger motiff, I've got a few articles somewhere that give
the who, what, where, when, why and how. I just can't recall the reasons off the top of my head.

Anyhoo, good thing they did it. The 'ole Jolly Roger has been around since... long time ago.
I think it may have been VF-17 of WWII that was first, but it may go back even farther than that.
I couldn't imagine the USN fighter community without skulls and crossbones floatin' around
somewhere.


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vf-84? VF-103? what is the lineage and how did the markings cross squadrons? I've always liked the skull and crossbones. I'm working on a VF-84 low vis. Hasegawa 1/72 with superscale decals.

Yeah, I know... I've been looking!

Aeromaster did a sheet. Dunno if it's still in production.

http://www.tomcatalley.com/model/decal/amd48511.htm

BlackWolfSCD notes on 6/24/03:

I removed the photos of that 32nd F-14 'cuz the auto-resize never worked on them and I was getting sick of scrolling!


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Ok, riddle me this...1/48 VF-103 Christmas Skulls?

ROTFLMAO

Thanks fellas. I just love all this stuff and it's my thing, so if I can help folks out or provide a bit of eye candy or just a laugh...

And RICE-A-RONI !!!!! Haven't had that stuff since I was on the Price is Right!


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You are indeed a daisy, Steve. Hat's off to you. Give the man a year's supply of Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco treat!

blackwolfscd, I read the thread about you reference abilities, but holy crap! It's the WorldBlackwolfscd Encyclopaedia! (There's another saying refering to the extraction of information from a lower orifice...).

You mean the legendary bones of Ens. Jack Ernie?




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having worked extensively with them, I would have to say the Jolly Rogers would be the way to go, just for their history.

For instance, did you know that they actually have a small case with a human skull and crossed femurs that goes with them everywhere they go? Believe me, I've seen them in their ready room. They were donated by the family of a Vietnam pilot who was shot down over North Vietnam. He was too low to eject, and his last words over the comm were, "Tell them I was a Jolly Roger." In honor of those words, they changed their squadron name to the Jolly Rogers. Years later, the body of the pilot was recovered, and after hearing the story, the mother of the pilot donated his skull and femurs to the squadron. They are now displayed as a badge of honor.

Morbid, yes, but cool as well.

demono69

I'm looking to do my 1/48 Revellogram F-14D in the VF-103 Christmas Skulls, but can't find the decals.

Skulls all the way!






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