Top Gun 2

[ea6bflyr]

I’m sure if there was a classified AWs, there would be plenty of patch-wearing folks spring-loaded to “well ackchually” whatever exercise scenario led to that kill mark.

Lacking that, I just hope it inordinately wound up a few F-22 bubbas.

Story posted from 2009...Appears the link is now dead.

Edit: Wayback machine: https://web.archive.org/web/2012011...e/2009/02/growler-power-ea-18g-boasts-f-.html

 

[johnboyA6E]

I’m sure if there was a classified AWs, there would be plenty of patch-wearing folks spring-loaded to “well ackchually” whatever exercise scenario led to that kill mark.

Lacking that, I just hope it inordinately wound up a few F-22 bubbas.

i'm more confused by the need to paint "Growler" on the side of a Growler

 

[ea6bflyr]

i'm more confused by the need to paint "Growler" on the side of a Growler

Well, it was the "first" airplane, and the Navy had to sell the name Growler vice Shocker.

The aircraft pictured above is EA-1, the first of two Lot 27 F/A-18Fs converted into flying prototypes for the EA-18G program.

It's a thing....here's your platform prototype....look at the nose.

 

[johnboyA6E]

ah, i see

i thought it was a fleet jet, VAQ 133 #506, not a prototype

did this EA-1 eventually become 506?

 

[nittany03]

Well, it was the "first" airplane, and the Navy had to sell the name Growler vice Shocker.

It's a thing....here's your platform prototype....look at the nose.
View attachment 37136

“Hey, we can do funny thrust-vectory STOL stuff!”

“Shit. Actually, weld those tailpipes in place and forget we ever tried.”

 

[WhiskeySierra6]

I’m sure if there was a classified AWs, there would be plenty of patch-wearing folks spring-loaded to “well ackchually” whatever exercise scenario led to that kill mark.

Lacking that, I just hope it inordinately wound up a few F-22 bubbas.

Edit: Yes, I know that's not what really happened.

 

[ea6bflyr]

ah, i see

i thought it was a fleet jet, VAQ 133 #506, not a prototype

did this EA-1 eventually become 506?

166641 (MSN F134) converted to prototype EA-18G Growler, flew for first time Aug 15, 2006, known
as Article EA-1
166642 Boeing EA-18G Growler
MSN F134, modified during production as EA-18G MSN EA-2. First flight Nov 20, 2006. Assigned to VX-31
at NAS China Lake

Looks like it started out as SD521 with VX-23, then flew with VX-9 for operation testing in 2008.

she’s probably had a few different side numbers in various squadrons.

 

[sevenhelmet]

You sure they didn’t paint “Growler” on more than one?