Need some Blue Angels design opinions

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hey guys,

As some of you might know, I’m building the history of the Blue Angels, in 1/72. Now, I’m almost at a critical junction of this project and I need some opinions from you guys.

Here’s where I’m at; I just finished the F9F-8 Cougar, chronologically, the 5th plane used by the Angels. So far, I’ve been numbering the planes in the order in which they were used. So far, this has worked well, but that’s about to end. The F11F-1 Tiger would be 6, the F-4J is 7, the A-4F is 8 and the F/A-18 is 9.

Now, the Angels have a 6 plane and even a 7, though it’s a two seater, PR bird. So, I guess my question is; do I just keep numbering them in the order I’m going in, or would anything after 6, just be too stupid? And if so, what do I do?

I know, it’s my project and I can do whatever I please, but still, I’d prefer not to be laughed out of the modeling community. Personally, I’m leaning towards just continuing with the current numbering scheme. But what happens when it goes to double digits? They can’t fly Hornets, forever.

Other options I had considered was numbering them all the same (i.e all would be number 1, the flight leader’s mount), but that didn’t really portray the sense of progression I was looking for (plus, it’s too late to go that route). Or just keep numbering them from 1-6, over and over. But I felt that would be too confusing, seeing different planes with the same number, but in no real order. This option is still open, as I’ve only built the first 5.

So, chime in guys and help a confused brotha out, LOL.

-Fred

2

Fred,

If it were me, I would work my way up through eight, then start back down the other way to 1 again.

3

Hey Frank,

Do you mean like this:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

or

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Do they have a number 8 bird? I’m pretty sure 6 is the solo flight and 7 is the PR, but I don’t recall a number 8. Not that I can’t be wrong, heck, I’m usually wrong, but I never heard of a number 8.

I’m only asking because, like I mentioned, I knew about 1-7 , so going 1-7-1 would make sense, I guess.

My biggest concerne is that what if they only get through 3 (using that kind of cycle) and then the program gets scrapped (it happened once before). I think it would be an odd way to end, no?

-Fred

4

This will be a nice display when complete. If it were my project, to keep with capturing the real birds I would just reuse the 1-6 or 1-7. Roll a dice to determine the tail number instead of maintaining numeric order. Just my take.

Any plans on a “What If” F-35C?

5

Blue Angel # 8 was the support bird, R5D-3 and C-121. I think that the C-130 they use today still goes by that call sign, but it is not painted prominently on the plane.

The yellow F8F Bearcat was coded “0” and called “Beetle Bomb”. They also had a T-6 painted yellow with “0” on the tail before the Bearcat.

Personally, I would only use tail codes that were actually used on the full scale birds.

The Blues had a new leader this day with a funny paint job.

My most recent Blue Angel, just completed a few days ago.

Darwin, O.F. [aln]

6

I’ll just wait for the Angels to decide on their next mount [;)]

Darwin, those are some sweet builds. What scale are they in?

-Fred

7

That is what I was thinking. I do like the idea too of picking one number, and making all of them the same.