Just reading the curent issue of FSM (it only arrived this week) For the crew stencils on both these birds, the Pilot and RIO on the Tomcat both have the rank of CAPTAIN. Ditto for the Hornet. Now, isnt Captain in Navy rank equivalent to a bird Colonel ? Unlikely they would have their own personal Acft isnt it ? I would have thought they would more likely be the CO of the Squadron- or does that still entitle them to an Acft ? I wouldnt have thought that USN officers of that rank would have got much air time ? Particularly on a carrier. Did Trumpeter screw the pooch here, or am I missing something ? I would have thought that Navy Pilots would range from LT JG/LT/LT CDR/CDR
Each Navy squadron paints up one aircraft as a “CAG” bird. The CAG’s, or air group commander’s name, is painted on the aircraft as an honorary thing.
Each squadron in an air wing has it’s own series of three-digit nose numbers called a modex… The first squadron is “1XX” , the second is “2XX” and so on. The first aircraft of every squadron with a modex ending in “-00” is a CAG bird.
In recent years the CAG bird has been the one aircraft in the squadron they’re allowed to paint up in full color squadron markings, similar to those used in the 60’s and 70’s. These colorful paint jobs make them popular subjects for model decal sheets.
The CAG normally would have the rank of Captain. The deputy air group commander, or DCAG, may also have his name painted on the same plane. The DCAG can also have the rank of Captain.
The actual squadron commander (who would have the rank of Commander) has his name painted on the plane having the modex ending in “-01”.
Names on canopy rails are pretty much an honorary thing as crews are assigned to aircraft based on availability rather than flying their “own plane”.
Mark
The name for the rear seat could not be a rated pilot but a GIB. A GIB would not be assigned a front seat position.
It’s gotten more complicated since NFO’s have been allowed to command. I’ve seen both CAG and squadron CO’s names painted on the front rails even if they were NFO’s - in reality they would never fly there. Again, at least in the Navy, it’s more of a tradition or honorary recognition.
Mark
As long as the pilot has met the qualifications they can fly even as Admirals. The pilot (even an Ensign) in a two place aircraft is always the one in command of the aircraft regardless if the guy in back was a Admiral or someone of similar rank. Unless that person is an instructor.
Date of rank. Whom ever achieved the rank first is the senior officer. But that has nothing to do with who is the pilot in command.
The RIO may be a senior officer as well. Many a young pilot has had an old timer in their back seat.
That’s true hawk. At George AFB, the Flight Surgeon was a full bird Col and was assigned a rear seat. He was a rated WSO and a Maj was assigned as the AC. I saw him fly with every assortment of ranks in the front cockpit. He even flew with students in the front cockpit.
It’s pretty much standard practive in Navy squadrons to pair senior pilots with junior NFO’s and vice-versa.
Pilots are always the in command of the aircraft but the backseater can actually be the mission commander.
Mark