Tridents fly Battle of Midway CoNA Orion to Florida

As part of the 2011 Centennial of Naval Aviation (CoNA) celebration, the “Tridents” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 recently flew a uniquely painted P-3C Orion from Atsugi, Japan to NAS Jacksonville. The Orion, P-3C Bu No. 161591 is painted in the markings of PBY-5A Catalina 44-P-4 of VP-44, which was the first American aircraft to spot the Japanese invasion fleet off Midway on 3rd June 1942.

Photo Gallery of US Navy Centennial aircraft special schemes

The French plastic modeller's association Association Maquettiste Varoise - AMV83 has put up a Photo Gallery of the various Centenary of Naval Aviation special schemes put out by the US Navy. Great work all round!

PHOTO: Prowler and Growler in Centennial retro paint schemes

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An E/A-6B Prowler from the "Vikings" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129, based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, Wash., arrives at NAS North Island Jan. 27. The Prowler is painted in a throwback tactical paint scheme (circa 1942), honoring U.S. combat aircraft that fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea during World War II. The specially-painted Prowler is one of more than 200 naval aircraft, from pre-World War II to the present, participating in a Parade of Flight over San Diego Bay, kicking off a series of nationwide events celebrating the Centennial of Naval Aviation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Joseph Moon)

PHOTO: Centenary MH-60R in 1944 retro tricolour scheme

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I personally really like this one. MH-60R BuNo 166524 in the markings of Night Air Group 90 aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6), late 1944. (Photo: US Naval Air Forces Facebook)

PHOTO: Sneak peek of US Navy Centenary Growler

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Here's a sneak peek of the US Navy's Centenary of Naval Aviation EA-18G Growler. Can't wait to see a proper high resolution shot of this one! (Photo: US Naval Air Forces Facebook)

PHOTO: River Rattlers F/A-18A+ in Centennial scheme

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VFA-204 "River Rattlers" Centennial F/A-18A+ BuNo 162866 makes its first squadron flight since coming out of the paint shop painted in an overall Glossy Sea Blue scheme. The X was the station identifier for Naval Air Station New Orleans when Vought F4U Corsairs based there were painted in similar colours in the late 40s and early 50s. Each Reserve base had its own letter as an identifier, with X being the identifier for NAS New Orleans. (US Navy Photo via US Naval Air Forces Facebook)

T-6B gets retro colours for US naval aviation centenary

The latest US Navy aircraft to carry a retro paint scheme is a new T-6B Texan II trainer delivered by Hawker Beechcraft in a special colour scheme to commemorate the Centenary of Naval Aviation. The aircraft is in a orange-yellow paint scheme, reminiscent of trainer aircraft from the 1940s and 1950s.

Gallery of US Navy Centennial of Naval Aviation aircraft

The US Naval Air Forces has a photo gallery of aircraft painted up in retro schemes for 2011's Centenary of Naval Aviation in their Facebook page (need to log into Facebook). I've seen photos of some other aircraft currently in the paintshop, and I can't wait to see those fully done!

Bloodhounds Viking wears 1942 paint scheme

The US Naval Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-30 'Bloodhounds' has gone retro with one of its S-3 Vikings wearing a 1942 US Navy aircraft blue/sea grey paint scheme as part of the US Navy's Centenary of Naval Aviation celebrations. The US Navy has painted several of its aircraft in paint schemes of yesteryear as part of the centenary.

PHOTO: T-45 Goshawk in a pre-World War II paint scheme

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101029-N-3951P-001 KINGSVILLE, Texas (Oct. 29, 2010) A T-45 Goshawk training aircraft painted in a pre-World War II tactical aircraft paint scheme flies over Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas. The plane is one of nine training command aircraft being painted in celebration of the Centennial of Naval Aviation. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Gabe Pincelli/Released)