This year marks the 100th anniversary of US Naval aviation and so the Navy figured it would be a great idea to commemorate this by painting current aircraft in schemes worn by aircraft of the past. It was quite an undertaking that involved about two dozen aircraft from various units. The units chosen were for the most part, training and test units who wouldn't be required to wear the garish schemes into combat.

Every era of Naval Aviation from the very beginning, through the yellow wings period, World War II and the post war light gull grey and white periods are covered. This includes Coast Guard aviation and those from the Vietnam era as well.

Within these pages you'll find more than 200 images of these planes including T-45s in Yellow Wings markings, S-3s and F-18s in WWII schemes, a T-34 in early Coast Guard Markings and an H-60 painted in OD to commemorate Vietnam combat helo operations. In addition to these great color schemes, there are photos of some current special schemes that includes some very colorful H-60s from units based at North Island. In addition, the Marines are also represented with their Harrier II aircraft.

These photos were all taken last month at the kick-off air show at NAS North Island. Not only were all of these specially painted planes in attendance, but this show included a superb fly-by of a variety of types including just about every aircraft in CVW-19, making for a most impressive display. Much of that is also included in this new book.

In all it makes for an excellent reference book on what are sure to be some very colorful decal sheets for modelers (Wolfpak Decals already has the S-3 commemorative scheme on its latest sheet), and it makes a great way to commemorate this important anniversary.

March 2011

Review book courtesy of Alga Publishing. Get yours direct from the link.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

Back to the Book Index

Back to the Main Page