bigkid24 Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Just something I was thinking about when I was thinking about customizing a CF to have me as a pilot. I was thinking of my name and my call sign but then realized that there were no call signs in Macross. Anybody have any good ideas or speculation as to why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macross_Fanboy Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Hmm...that is a tough one to answer. Of all of the inspiration Kawamori-san got to create such a kick ass anime series like Macross, you'd think callsigns would be part of it. Warplanes and the names of them and some of the characters sure were aviation inspired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Effect Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 You know this was something I didn't even think about, usually in military themed shows most fighter pilots have call signs. Interesting that in Macross, which heavy on the fighter action didn't have these. Hmm maybe call signs aren't as common in the military as we are lead to believe, that could be why. Then again my knowledge on the subject is very limited. Anyone care to clear this up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister_e Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Well, they weren't call signs per se, but many times they are refered to by squadron + number (e.g. Skull 1, Vermillion 1, etc.). It's like that in Star Wars too (at least in the movies, I have no knowledge of the expanded universe). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JsARCLIGHT Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 It could just be me but aren't "callsigns" a fairly modern western military thing? I don't believe I've ever heard of other eastern countries using "callsigns" with their pilots until they got "westernized". Like back in WW2 (the great granddaddy of Japanese military basis in most of these anime shows) Japanese fighter pilots took their "callsigns" from their unit and number like "Lotus 12" or "Sparrow 8"... they never had made up (and IMHO dorky) callsign names like "iceman", "maverick" or "goose". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightning Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 ok, here's what i know so far (regarding modern call-sign stuff), they dont say the call sign over the radio anymore because it's not "professional" instead the use the code-name of the flight or the squadron name followed by a number. The movies just over exaggerated the call-sign thing in order to appeal to people watching the movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 ok, here's what i know so far (regarding modern call-sign stuff), they dont say the call sign over the radio anymore because it's not "professional" instead the use the code-name of the flight or the squadron name followed by a number. The movies just over exaggerated the call-sign thing in order to appeal to people watching the movie. Yeah, call-signs are more to make fun of the pilots. For some odd reason, people have been implimenting so many interesting ways to give pilots a hard time - like it's going to kill their egos, or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewilen Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 (edited) Well, they weren't call signs per se, but many times they are refered to by squadron + number (e.g. Skull 1, Vermillion 1, etc.). I find it amusing that of all the colors available, they chose "vermilion" to name a squadron. (That is a translation of the original Macross, not a RT thing, right?) How many of us know for sure what "vermilion" is--no web searches! Is there a Chartreuse Squadron? Ecru? Mauve? Burnt Sienna? Raw Umber? Edit: P.S., yes, I'm aware they outdid themselves with the Pink Peckers... Edited November 9, 2003 by ewilen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 I find it amusing that of all the colors available, they chose "vermilion" to name a squadron. (That is a translation of the original Macross, not a RT thing, right?) How many of us know for sure what "vermilion" is--no web searches! Yes, it's from Macross, also it's the sqad in RahXephon - good show. For the meaning, check here: Dictionary.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hingtgen Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 It depends. For any formal announcements (to your squadron, ground, AWACS, etc) it'll be the flight's call sign plus flight number (Air Force) or squadron call sign plus modex number (Navy, and I think Marines). Thus, if you were flying the Jolly Roger's CAG plane, you'd report in as "Victory 101". (Call signs aren't the squadron names, and are often TOTALLY unrelated). If it was an Air Force F-16 or something, it's usually something like Wolf, Viper, Stiletto, Hammer, etc. "Viper 52" for the flight or something. Now, as for personal call signs, they're used all time time, for one-on-one, etc. If you're just calling your wingman, or talking to the RIO, they seem to use the callsigns ALL the time, at least from what I've read. Finally--people don't pick their callsigns, they're given to you, and are often derogatory. Callsigns aren't Iceman, Viper, etc. They're Stinky, Greasy, Dogboy, etc. If you're lucky, it'll be something like Smiley, Gizmo, or Froggy. Though my all time fave was a Lt Royce. Call sign "Rolls". Also fond of Cmdr (I think) "Race" Bannon. (Though so few people get that nowadays, but it's so perfect if you get it). Just saw a call sign "Psycho" a few days ago on TV. (F-15 pilot). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB0 Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Is there a Chartreuse Squadron? Ecru? Mauve? Burnt Sienna? Raw Umber? Weren't those all CF squadrons? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myk Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 They didn't use call signs in AREA 88 either. Of course, they all had death wishes on their minds so I'm sure they didn't give a damn about cutesy names for themselves... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coota0 Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 It depends. For any formal announcements (to your squadron, ground, AWACS, etc) it'll be the flight's call sign plus flight number (Air Force) or squadron call sign plus modex number (Navy, and I think Marines). Thus, if you were flying the Jolly Roger's CAG plane, you'd report in as "Victory 101". (Call signs aren't the squadron names, and are often TOTALLY unrelated). If it was an Air Force F-16 or something, it's usually something like Wolf, Viper, Stiletto, Hammer, etc. "Viper 52" for the flight or something. Now, as for personal call signs, they're used all time time, for one-on-one, etc. If you're just calling your wingman, or talking to the RIO, they seem to use the callsigns ALL the time, at least from what I've read. Finally--people don't pick their callsigns, they're given to you, and are often derogatory. Callsigns aren't Iceman, Viper, etc. They're Stinky, Greasy, Dogboy, etc. If you're lucky, it'll be something like Smiley, Gizmo, or Froggy. Though my all time fave was a Lt Royce. Call sign "Rolls". Also fond of Cmdr (I think) "Race" Bannon. (Though so few people get that nowadays, but it's so perfect if you get it). Just saw a call sign "Psycho" a few days ago on TV. (F-15 pilot). David is absolutley right, Marines use the same form of section/flight/squadron call signs as the Navy. I want to add one thing when they use a callsign like "Viper52" its not "Viper fifty-two" it's "Viper five-two", why? I'm not sure but My NROTC instructors told us it was far easier to understand on the radio. The favorite call signs I've seen so far are "Easy" Laye and "Hroney Toad" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobber Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 David and Coota0 are correct, I'm an Air Traffic Controller. Navy, Marine, and Air Force I have their squadron OPS assign them the callsign for that particular flight (usually from a set they normally use.)Coota0 is corect also, according to the FAA 7110.65 (the controller bible) Numbers are to be pronounced separately. It keeps it more clear. HOWEVER, airline and air taxis can have their flight numbers condenced such as US Air 1038 (ten thirty eight). Also, civilian aircraft can have the numbers reduced to the last 3 numbers after intial call-up, N12345 can be called N(november)345 or aircraft type (cessna) 345. We cannot condence Military callsigns though. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellohikaru Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Pilot's tactical callsign(Killer, Boots, etc) weren't that popular when Macross was made. The movie Topgun actually caused the boom in the callsign crazed. Then pilot more commonly starting spotting callsigns. This is an explanation given to me by a former fighter jock at simhq. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigkid24 Posted November 10, 2003 Author Share Posted November 10, 2003 Thanks for the info. That was damn informative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EXO Posted November 10, 2003 Share Posted November 10, 2003 (edited) Hikaru = Pimpdaddy Roy = Bender Max = Big Momma Lover Kakizake = Roadkill Millia = Hottie McYumyum Edited November 10, 2003 by >EXO< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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