Reference Gallery 3:
Carrier Air Wing Eight Special Markings
Contributed by Mike Boyd
This group of pictures show aircraft from CVW-8 in March & April 1980. The March pictures were taken from Vulture's Row in Nimitz's island while I was aboard for 'cross-deck training' with the ASW squadrons (yes, the airborne shot is of a VF-84 F-14A doing a barrel roll at eye level above the flight deck!). The April pictures were taken from my ship, USS California (CGN-36) a few days after the rescue attempt. I have included photos of other Nimitz planes to show the markings (note the VF-84 planes ARE in squadron colors and not red/black). I hope this sheds some new light on a 23-year old subject.
VA-82 A-7E with red/blue band.
F-14A of VF-41 with red/blue band
F-14A of VF-84 launches from the Nimitz.
F-14A of VF-84 maneuvering at VERY low level!
A pair of Jolly Rogers F-14As in flight
VF-84 F-14A with black/yellow band on starboard wing.
All Images © 2003 by Mike Boyd