Announcement

**SanExup** · Jul 19, 2021, 06:52 PM

Originally posted by Evan D View Post

Ever stop to think there’s a good reason to not use the proper name? Same as with the AL?

Exactly!

**Evan D** · Jul 19, 2021, 07:30 PM

Another thought is they call it Gray Diamonds because it’s the base gray with the Diamonds decals, not Gray Diamonds but gray Diamonds. Does that make sense? Either way a big deal about nothing. To me I’d make a bigger deal of the gray cockpit.

**davegee** · Jul 19, 2021, 07:44 PM

Boy, didn't mean to stir up a hornet's nest (no pun intended) with my entry this morning! It was never that big a deal to me, I was just slightly annoyed that they didn't just put on the website with the intro of this new plane, or livery "Blue Diamonds" instead of "Gray Diamonds" I thought it might be a nice way to honor this Navy squadron that has been doing a great job for over 60 years.

Other Freewing planes like the F-15C, the F-14D, and the A-6 have squadron markings clearly in their advertisements online. I've owned all three. I didn't even know this unit existed until I decided to look it up yesterday to learn more about it, I don't know what the reason was that Freewing called it Gray Diamonds, but that wouldn't affect my purchasing the model.

BTW, "NH" and "NG" were both used on this squadron's markings at various times in its long service record. You can look it up online. My apologies if I typo' d in an earlier entry. I know the model has NG on its tails.

I was just sharing my personal opinion on it, and I still stand by it. And I agree with Nuts n'Volts, even if no one else does. We still have a right to an opinion, right? I can see that we probably won't change any minds here, so I've said my peace and am departing the pattern...

**nuts-n-volts** · Jul 19, 2021, 08:54 PM

Not making a big deal, I appreciate your opinion. Just standing by my original opinion.

I doubt there's anything like a copyright like the Boeing has with their 737. You're right, I do not know. But, we've used squadron decals forever and so have the manufacturers. Not withstanding, they did use the Blue Diamonds insignia and their identifier on the plane. NG was/is the identifier for CVW-9 which they have been part of for many years, especially when they had Cs. As for gray diamonds... sure. If you were aboard any carrier you would know most all colors were grayed out in the early 80s.

To me, calling VFA-146 "Gray Diamonds" is like calling VMF-214 the "Black Cows". But hey, it's not really that important.

**fredmdbud** · Jul 19, 2021, 10:08 PM

Photos of VFA-146 birds, both Legacy and Super Hornets, for your customization reference: VFA-146 Blue Diamonds Strike Fighter Squadron US Navy (seaforces.org)