Talk:Viper 2276/Archive 1

The Viper's serial number on nose is 2276NC. However, it's call sign was Viper 450. I believe that the 3-digit numbers like 450 or 591 are like the nose numbers on US Navy aircraft. For example, an F-14A Tomcat could have a serial number like 160299 but, since it is a fighter, it will have nose number in either the 100s or 200s. The Squadron commander's plane usually would have 00 at the end (100, 200, et al). Other aircraft would have nose numbers according to their type. For instance, A-6 Intruder attack planes could all have 400 and 500 series number, regardless of their serial number (That isn't the correct set of nose numbers for A-6s though). In flight operations, the nose number would be used to refer to the plane, just like Apollo when he first landed on Galactica. Captain Kelly referred to him as Viper 450. The 2276NC was visible on the nose (in low-viz markings unlike the Mk II) when Apollo met Tyrol. -By the way, the Tomcat serial number was for the first Tomcat sold to Iran, it ironically never had a Navy nose number. I'll update the main article when I get back from my finals this afternoon. --Talos 12:15, 13 December 2005 (EST)

Only problem is that the actual props/CGI models don't have nose numbers, just a four-digit tail number. In most of the scenes in the mini-series, the tail number matches the designation used over wireless (Apollo's 7242 and Starbuck's 8547, anyway). --April Arcus 15:07, 13 December 2005 (EST)

The nose numbers are on the real US Navy aircraft. I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear. It's just that the 3-digit call numbers don't match with the 4-digit tail numbers. It would make sense for the Mk IIs early in the Mini to not have the 3-digit numbers since they weren't on active flight status. They would likly be assigned numbers later, probably by Ragnar. --Talos 17:12, 13 December 2005 (EST)

That seems plausible. Would an individual craft ever be assigned multiple nose numbers? --April Arcus 17:37, 13 December 2005 (EST)

It could be I guess, if its status changed. Maybe if it was moved to another squadron. --Talos 17:45, 13 December 2005 (EST)

Coming back to this topic - what's the use in having both a numerical nose number and an individual callsign? --April Arcus 20:33, 14 February 2006 (EST)

This website has a good overview of the Navy system. The section about a third of the way down, titled "Modex Letters and Side Numbers" is what you want, especially the paragraph beginning with "The following is the side number scheme for carrier air wings." I believe this is what the BSG numbers are based on (even if just format and not content). US Navy and US Marine Corps Aircraft Serial Numbers and Bureau Numbers--1911 to Present --Talos 22:19, 14 February 2006 (EST)

I think I found something that fits. In the US Navy, in addition to the three digit squadron nose number, aircraft are also known by the last four digits of their serial numbers. I found a picture of a F-4B Phantom II assigned to the Naval Air Test Center at NATC Patuxent River Maryland. The markings on the plane were (on the tail) 3839, and (on the nose) 839. So, we have Phantom 3839, also known in flight as Phantom 839. Similar pictures are here. Look especially at Phantom 7254, aka 212 in the bottom left corner. This makes me think that the four digit numbers on Vipers are part of the serial numbers while the three digit ones are basically callsigns for wireless and DRADIS useage. I'm still thinking about the two digit numbers. --Talos 15:00, 25 February 2006 (EST)

I'm impressed. This might be good to include as a footnote on the Viper (RDM) page. --April Arcus 19:51, 25 February 2006 (EST)