No ship, Sherlock.
While collecting files for the ‘On This Day...’ series I have frequently came across photos of aircraft who, for different reasons, landed on the wrong carrier. Tradition dictates that the offending pilot’s ride gets a new coat of paint to show off when he gets back to his home ship.
My particular favourite Is the ‘Colonial Navy’ phantom.
Hope you enjoy...
Robert Royes said on February 28, 2019
Me thinks it's called zapping, of which I participated in a little, don't have photos though. Here's one for the R.N.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
david leigh-smith said on February 28, 2019
Definitely not USMC colours...
David A. Thomas said on February 28, 2019
David, I'm not surprised by your preference. The whole thing is very English, after all--understated vs. the gaudy graffiti of the American counterparts.
Pedro L. Rocha said on February 28, 2019
What a laugh! The Colonial Navy is a real English humour example, but my favourite is the “must be Airforce” plane (Panther? Cougar? Definitly a Grumman)
Wolfgang Rusch said on March 1, 2019
Definately a McDonnell (F2H-2 Banshee), the biggest of Grumman´s rivals, then (ok, maybe beside Douglas)
Pedro L. Rocha said on March 1, 2019
Ahh, if proof was needed to demonstrate my lack of knowledge of post war Jets! Thank you for getting it right Wolfgang
Steve E said on February 28, 2019
The look on the pilots face on aircraft 408 is classic!
david leigh-smith said on March 1, 2019
Steve, I had exactly the same thought, he looks like he took his medicine well enough, though.
Thanks for posting.
@stevev22fe
Craig Abrahamson said on March 1, 2019
Very interesting (and comical) set of pis, my friend...I like 'em, though. 🙂
david leigh-smith said on March 1, 2019
Glad you enjoyed ‘em, Craig.
Jordyn Collier said on March 1, 2019
I hope someone makes a model version of this. I dont have the skills for it, haha.
Mika Harviala said on March 1, 2019
Nice pics ... but 'Dickbutt' is a fake ...
John Clark said on March 1, 2019
Lol, that one really stuck out to me too.
david leigh-smith said on March 1, 2019
Didn’t even realise it was a ‘chop job’ until you pointed it out, Mika.
@mharviala
Stan Traas said on March 1, 2019
Reading the fine print there are many good chuckles, but Colonial Navy does take the prize IMHO. Love the Brits... dastardly behavior with impeccable manners. 😉
Wolfgang Rusch said on March 1, 2019
My favorites are, indeed, Colonial Navy and 'Must Be Air Force', different kinds of humour but both of them cause a big grin in my face 🙂
It seems these occasions brought a needed relief for a ship´s crew, especially during war time, judging the wild, wide spread decorations on Panther, Corsairs and -2 Banshees
Morne Meyer said on March 1, 2019
They are all awesome examples of humour in uniform! The Banshee is my favourite.
Jeff Bailey said on March 1, 2019
Out-freakin'-standing! These are real gems, David! So far, it looks like Colonial Navy and the "Must Be Air Force" are in the lead as far as comments on Favourites seem to be.
Bravo ! ! ! ! !
Robert Royes said on March 1, 2019
I believe 'Colonial Navy' was zapped by VF-171 personnel while it was at NAS Oceana Va.
Rob Anderson said on March 1, 2019
When I was a Plane Captain in VAW-124, I once had to stand watch on a VAW-122 E-2C from the Forestall to keep it from being zapped. In the modern USN it is done with squadron stickers. I am proud to say I failed! That bird had VAW-124 zappers behind avionics boxes, the back of the cockpit door, and waaaiiiiit for it...Smack dab on the tip of the nose. The pilot pulled that one off. Chief chewed my a*s good! In fairness the bird was there on purpose for a meeting, but still it was fair game.
david leigh-smith said on March 1, 2019
Rob, I was aware that sailors had to ‘stand watch’ against this behaviour when a ‘visiting’ aircraft paid a call, but never in a million years did I hope that we’d actually get a first hand story. Thanks for this, you are a prince, Rob!
@robertandy
Robert Royes said on March 1, 2019
When I was a rookie in VF-31, we zapped a marine VMFA 321 F-4, with felix stickers, which we were told to remove, all were save one , which was inside the forward canopy frame behind the pilot.
Jim Sullivan said on March 1, 2019
Outstanding selection of 'zap' photos. I really enjoyed them all and thank you for sharing them with us.
david leigh-smith said on March 1, 2019
Absolutely my pleasure, Jim.
Gary Wiley said on March 1, 2019
Love ‘em all! Great fun for the floating families.
david leigh-smith said on March 1, 2019
Cheers, Gary.
John Healy said on March 1, 2019
Great pics, David. I built that FAA “Colonial Navy” Phantom a couple years ago! The VF-143 F-4 is interesting too. I think it’s the first F-4 I’ve seen on an Essex class carrier.
david leigh-smith said on March 1, 2019
@j-Healy
And here she is. A real beauty.
John Healy said on March 2, 2019
One of my favorite models!
Don Mk1a said on July 25, 2019
Inspirational. I've got a boring panther just waiting for this treatment! TY