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A close-up rear view of the decal itself
Phantom FG.1 “COLONIAL NAVY” inscription
Hello and welcome to my suggestion. With more and more Historical decals coming to the game each month, I’d like to take some time to suggest some decals that I think would be both extremely fun and hold a large historical significance to vehicles in-game. The first of these is a humorous modification made to a Phantom FG.1 of 892 NAS by American crews of the USS Saratoga, the “Colonial Navy” Inscription!
A full colour view of the aircraft, including the other humorous changes, including the old US-style roundel painted over the British one
The decal originates from one of the final deployments of 892 Naval Air Squadron in 1978. During a visit to US Naval Air Station (NAVSTA) Oceana, the Phantoms had been working up onboard the USS Saratoga, and as this was to be the last time Fleet Air Arm Phantoms would be deployed on joint exercises, the American deck crews decided to paint the British aircraft with some humorous decorations, with Phantom “001” or XV590 being given the most drastic. Its roundel was completely covered by a Pre-1942 US roundel, and the “ROYAL NAVY” inscription on the back was painted over with black paint, with “COLONIAL NAVY” in its place. Other aircraft of the squadron also received updated markings, however not to the extent of XV590. Following this exercise, the aircraft would be transferred to the RAF in December 1978, alongside HMS Ark Royal’s retirement and the replacement of the Fleet Air Arm’s fixed-wing capability with the new Sea Harrier.
Three aircraft on Arc Royal upon return to the Carrier; the other, less prominent decorations are visible in the form of a white star painted on the other two aircraft’s roundels
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