Have you read my free newsletter? It's called flybuyer - aviation news for the modern pilot. If you’re a pilot, aircraft owner or someone who just loves aviation - this newsletter is for you! Go to flybuyer.com/subscribe to get on the list!
I was on the USS Independence in 1972 when one went into the drink on landing. It floated upside down for about 15 minutes and 5 passengers jumped out from the ramp but the 2 pilots didn’t make it.
@@davidgardner863 That's a sad story to hear, and the Pedro can't do anything about that ... 😥 Thank you for your service, hope ure retired now ! edit: while admiring the plane reliability I forgot to mention the fantastic crews operating them in the worst conditions, bless them !!
My late uncle flew Sea Vixens for the Royal Navy. The Vixen was a big old bus for the time, and HMS Eagle was on the compact side for a carrier. He always said 'one didn't land on a carrier, but rather attempted to ram it wheels first as hard as the gear would allow'. When the Sea Harrier was first trialled, one of the senior officers aboard was asked what he was most impressed by - his response was 'the total lack of terror from the deck crew'.
@@s.marcus3669 It was an early concept for a missile-only fighter. However, with only four somewhat unreliable missiles and no guns, you were quickly useless in a fight.
i took off a carrier as a passenger sitting sideways once once is way enough lol talk about the bottom dropping out. awesome plane great pilots and crew. thx for the service greyhounds
Older COD driver here, with exactly 1,702 hours in type, 297 traps from the left seat and around 325 traps right. I had 79 night traps left and over 100 night traps right. This was due to VRC-30 flying night ops at the boat and being a VAW-120 IP, night CQ qualified. The COD was a Thunder Pig, flew like it looked. I never flew the 8 blade or upgraded avionics. Anyway, good video!!
@@dirtfarmer7472 apart from beying very old, the C-2 is also too small to carry the F135 engine, something that the Osprey can do, and that's an important capability.
@@dirtfarmer7472 Keeping both means maintaining both logistics trains, and not only is that expensive, it requires more personnel, more training, and maybe most importantly, more space to store things like parts and tools. It just makes more sense to transition to the Osprey if it can do everything a Greyhound can do and much more.
I was a Grumman Aerospace Corporation employee at Bethpage Long Island NY 6 years with them . I was in old with the 2nd batch of C-2 CODs. Wing center section ,tail ramp, flight deck main entrance door. 1981-1987. Proud to be a part of helping our Navy as a civilian worker. A licensed A&P line technician United Airlines, J,Stutts.
Former Navy AD2 & retired major airline A&P here. Born & raised on Long Island but went to work defense contract after the Navy then went to the airlines. While I was working defense contract we went to Calverton to provide SAR support for them. FLY NAVY!!!
This sentences are from a GUY --who is knowing about he is writing about--tue rollf --ex TORNADO CREWCHIEF----I read it three times --llooll and was starting my time in the MARINEFLIEGERGESCHWADER 1as a crewchief a couple of years after you--all my planes were comming home safely --that´s the (in my mind) best I think --but "TONY" was a great airplane --hope it will be so I (you would they --IT-) {I say -HE-) retired without any complication --I hope every PILOT that starts --return´s safe home - tue rollf
I worked out in Calverton at plant #6 final assembly form 1980 to 1995 on the F-14's , A6E's, EF-111's, nice to hear from a fellow Grumman " Iron Worker " ! Also an A&P since 1973 and Navy Carrier vet. Grumman built them to last, sad to see them close ! Cheers.
@@joemoore4027 -hi here is rollf--you have a lot of experience --a lot of planes --your cargoplane I never met--I think it is cool -supply is very important--the F-14 is a cool plane --I had the honour --in oceana --I´m a TORNADO PA 200 guy--and the F-14 is large -and i´m 1 meter --96 cm (figher the inch out --llooll)--and I miss my plane--the A6E´s I saw only in movie´s --BUT I believe it is a plane who safed the democratic world--the F-111 I saw one in Loosiemooth GB / Scottland--it made me goosepims -so enjoy your life JOE Moore --cheers --tue DEIN ROLLF
The reasons that the Navy is replacing the C-2 with the CMV-22, are age, vanishing parts vendors, and the ability of the Osprey to carry a complete F135PW-400 engine without being broken down into smaller components for loading aboard the C-2, plus, the CODSPREY can conduct VITREP/VOD along with performing the traditional COD mission, without the cargo broken down into smaller sling loads for the choppers to take over to the Strike Group's escorting Cruisers, and Destroyers, which is time consuming.
The reason the relatively simple, old-faithful ship is being replaced with the astoundingly dangerous, vulnerable, complex, over-the-top Osprey is that navy brass had long since acceded to the pressure from the vendors and their puppets in congress. Navy brass is sorta' like American Medical Doctors. As the allopathic physicians have abandoned all honor and responsibility in favor of money from big pharma, the brass has abandoned all honor and responsibility in favor of "better jobs later from the military industrial complex." It ought to be - yeah - "embarrassing" - but when everybody's a prostitute, the only controversy gets down to such as "fishnet hose or no..."
I like the Mistake. The only problem I have with it is that Boeing canceled the aerial refueling pod & the UK canceled the development of the airborne radar pod.
@@tomelmore8431 no more “astoundingly dangerous” than any other fleet aircraft including the beloved F-14, CH-53, and the list goes on. You must not know much about the history of new aircraft coming into the fleet. You sound unhinged.
I flew off the USS Saratoga in a C-2 COD in 1984 from the Eastern Med back to the USA to attend my brother's funeral. I was lucky enough to serve with my brother on the same boat. I was airwing, (VA-83 Rampagers) while my brother worked in Pri-Fly.
I got my C-2 flight time in 1990 &1991, in the back of course. Was working the insurgencies in the PI (Army Special Forces) when ground travel was cut off by the bad guys. We used C-2s going back and forth between Clark AB and Subic Bay NS. Again in 1991 while working the same issues (forgot to mention seven coup attempts an 1.5 years) Mount Pinatubo decided to erupt covering Clark in three-four feet of ash. That ended the official stations in the PI which was under renegotiations at that time. Assisted evacuating Clark with C-2s and all other USN/USAF assets that could be called in. The Carl Vinson arrived in short order and we loaded all dependents from both bases onboard. Last trip in to Clark was with USAF SPs to clear out the Armory of all their and our weapons and ammo. The bad guys had been there using sledge hammers trying to break down that massive steel door, no luck. A short personal history but enjoyed those shaking/rattling C-2s!
Thanks for all the replies. Yes, the PI was a great place to work and enjoy! Angeles City and Olongapo were some "fun" places to hang out in. Now it looks like the US wants back in to Subic. Same problems with bad guys today as it was back then.
VAW-115 1987-1989 aboard the USS Midway here! Was a Plane Cast and took care of the CODs from VRC-50 when they came aboard as well. What a time!!!! Wishing you well Shipmate!
USAF pilots ae good but can't quite wrap their brain around landing on a moving runway less than 2 miles long! (Carrier-qualified Jarhead pilot sends . . . )
I was looking at a photo of Ranger from about 1964 with the whole air group on deck--and it was so fun! What a drag to see a flight deck full of F-18s!
This video brings back memories since I was a member of VRC-40 from 2004-2009 as a member of the AT Shop but 40 was Det Concept at the time not shop back in 2004 but I got to build a C2A in that had been sitting at the other end of the flight line by VAW-120 for about 4 years and was stripped down to just the Airframe without wings and anything inside of it at all! It was a great experience for a new AT to get to work in all the other ratings and I was a VERY PROUD PAPA when that bird came out of the hanger with a brand new paint job new engines and was ready to FLY for the first time. The Plate worked Perfectly on its first flight and was a Workhorse for 40 till it was sent out west for VRC-30 to send it to Japan because they needed a plane and they were short but if anyone opens some of the deck panels they will see my initials and a message not to mess up my PLANE! :)
I was ATO on the Enterprise from 98-99 did the med cruise with VRC 40 Det 2 . I got to fly off with the boys a few times . Cat shots and traps are a ton of fun . Sad to see the C-2 get retired , I wonder wut will happen to the old battle wagons? Reserves ? Hopefully not the bone yard
When I was stationed on the USS Eisenhower 2000-2004, I used to love watching the CODS land. The C2 is my absolute favorite naval aircraft. Thank u sir for uploading your experiences as a pilot. 💯💯💯💯
Everyone loves the COD, we bring the mail! Well maybe except times when the VAW maintainers have to fix the bird when it goes down on the boat. Then, I'm sure they're cursing us 😅.
Instead of tucking my old behind into the rack, I stayed up (0420)to listen to your great narration and watch this doggone video. "Thank you sir, may I have another, lol lol." Great upload and this old EM appreciates the job you folks do to keep the rest of us sleeping warm and comfy. (Hand salute). E7, USAR, RETD.
Hi Rob, thanks for all of the informative commentary to describe what is happening on the video. I thought only fighter jets landed on the carriers so this was interesting to see.
Those propellers at 2:03 look almost as cool as the noise they make. Very, very cool. I also remember my flight instructor saying (more than once) "you have to stay ahead of the aircraft". Very good advice. The winning comment though is "Hansel, so hot right now", I lost it and laughed so hard I scared my dog.
My late brother began his AB career on the Randolph during Korea. I think the blast deflector would have made it easier for him to collect the sought after bucket of prop wash! Flight deck too busy for me, my service being Silent. Narragansett Bay
Condition lever to run, calling for air, rotation, oil pressure, fuel, haha it’s been 20+ years since I turn one of those up. I was low/hi power turn qualified back at good ole VRC-40 1997-2001 det 3 CVN 69. Great video! Thanks you. Brings me back!
Love your commentary Bro!!! Tried for the Gold Wings but budget cuts killed that. So it’s good to live vicariously through you!!!! Sure are lots of switches n stuff.
Retired F/A-18A-F framer here. I have some serious issues with the Osprey. My biggest complaint was you now have to build a break in the schedule to land that POS. The COD you could land and stuff it in the hummer hole. We did a DET on the Vinson supported by the osprey bake in 2017 or 2018. That thing is massive spread and spinning. The C-2 is proven and pretty reliable for its age. Rob thank you guys for doing gods work and bringing me a ton of mail over the years!
@@budmcdonald9190 One can never predict the future with certainty. I'm thinking that our allies & perhaps even the US will someday need to supplement it's navel aviation by using LHA's to launch F-35B's. Having the ability to refuel them with the Boeing's now canceled aerial refueling pod & protect a group with the now canceled British airborne radar pod is an option that is now off the table.
I just discovered your channel and subscribed. Excellent video of the C2 starting up and flying. I remember when the C1 was flying with the C2 replacing it.The C2 has been a good reliable aircraft for the COD role. Now the C2 is now being replaced by the CMV 22 Osprey.
My dad, who spent 30+ years on flight decks of CV's/CVS's/CVA's told me 'normal' people don't fly CODs (regularly, he did do a few flights in a C1a), but then he was a STOOF (S-2f/g) driver...lol.
I love these videos. Always great gaining more insight into the process. Just a sound designer here who has had the pleasure of working on a few Imax docs; Aircraft Carrier; Guardian of the Seas, also not directly related, Rescue, and Fighter Pilot; Operation Red Flag.
former VRC-30 XO/CO here - very sad to see the C-2 go. That was a good tour, very demanding but lots of good memories. Great experience. Last P-3 guy to go to COD's.
I have no love for the HST did two deployments as part of the CSG in '13-'14 and '16-'17 and did not enjoy the direction we received from them. But moving into aviation on the outside world this is fascinating to me now as an instructor on how Naval Aviation functions.
My dad was Navy when I was young but he was a Radioman 1st Class on Submarines. I ended up going ARNG as a combat engineer. As much as I like water, I wanted to be closer to home for most of my military contract.
Old Air Wing jarhead here. Land based catapult and arresting gear. (mid 70's) Seen lots of YT videos about these activities. I really enjoyed your style with this one.
Great video, I have to ask, I work for the USAF at RAF Lakenheath. I often send parcels/packages to USS and USNS ships plus the odd submarine, I know they tend to go to a land based APO but do you guys then deliver it via a carrier? Just always wondered how the parcels I send out get to there final destination
Great question - the answer is yes! haha. We literally fly on any and all packages that need to go to the aircraft carrier. More often then not, they are Amazon Prime packages lol
Back before I was born the TBF/TBM was used for Carrier Onboard Delivery. Then modified A1 Sky Raiders were used to deliver personnel and priority supplies. The C1 Trader was still in service when I joined the Marines but if I remember correctly, it was only used by reservists at the time. There were experiments with the C130. The C2 Greyhound had some issues such as excessive airframe fatigue and there were rumors of converting some S-3 Vikings over to COD duties. In my opinion the C2 is limited to a dozen flight decks. While on a November 77 to August 78 WESPAC aboard the USS Tripoli/LPH-10 a C-130 made an emergency resupply from CONUS. Included in the drop was mail dated the same day. My brother Dave conducted CH-53E qualification on an AKA during the Eighties and was the last to make a successful landing and take-off, but the Super Stallion was never cleared to operate from the AKA due to mere inches of rotor blade clearance. Should the CV-22 get its bugs ironed out, all of the helicopter carrier flight decks can be added to the COD list. Several other platforms can comfortably handle the Osprey (excluding the AKA--if there are any remaining in mothballs). A dozen platforms versus perhaps thirty without the need to use parachutes. How did the Greyhound handle in-flight refueling? "On paper" often doesn't translate into reality. President George W. Bush was a passenger aboard a Viking when he infamously landed on the Abraham Lincoln/CVN-72. This one-upped Richard Nixon's visit to USS Hornet/CVS-12 to personally greet the Apollo 11 astronauts. Being able to launch missiles and fixed-wing aircraft (AV-8 Harrier, replaced by F-35B Lightning) from surface ships is a game changer in power projection. When will the US Navy catch up to the WW2 Imperial Japanese Navy with submarine aircraft carriers? Then there was this proposal: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SUSTAIN_(military) Could SUSTAIN pull the COD mission? Can the C-27 Spartan be operated from both real aircraft carriers and the helicopter carriers? The C-130 didn't use arrestor cables or catapults--the smaller Spartan might get away without those, too. There are many glitches between wild-assed idea and routine operations--and COD started off in the Thirties using biplane torpedo bombers.
As Aviation Officer Candidates in Pensacola around 1981 three of us would usually head out to the NAS Pensacola transient flight line during our 4-hours of freedom on Sunday afternoons to see what types of aircraft were in town. During one memorable occasion a C-1 Trader (predecessor to the C-2 Greyhound) landed, taxied in and shutdown near where we were exploring an F-14 Tomcat. The two pilots exited the aircraft, walked past us, and said "Hey, guys." We were mesmerized. They both needed haircuts and they had enough facial hair to suggest a beard (Navy personnel could have facial hair back then) or they just hadn't shaved in a week. Their flight suits were zipped down to their navel and their flight boots hadn't seen polish in years and looked grey, not black. One of my buds said "I'm gonna fly C-1s." My other classmate and I instantly agreed. Unfortunately none of us got so lucky. But during the rest of my 28 years as a pilot I always thought of COD guys as the "Bikers" of Naval Aviation.
I flew out to the Truman on a COD, I remember the rear door didn't seal and when we got to altitude the flight crew ran from the front to the back and had to jump on the door to get it to seal. Turned the whole aircraft into a cloud for about a min. Fun times in the worlds greatest navy!
When I was in the Navy (1966-70), the C-2 and its various related types were new and a major advancement from the venerable C-1 and related types. Although our air group ECM detatchment aircraft remained based on the C-1 for our Essex-Class carriers, the C-2 could easily operate off the smaller and older ships. The greyhounds were powerful and versatile birds. Sorry to see 'em flying off into the sunset. Good luck with the Osprey...
Excellent teaching video. I enjoyed that and learned a couple of things. I was trained as a second mech on F-14s before they sent me to AT school. This brings back some great memories. Thank you. (Btw, the musical interlude was great! Now I've got it stuck in my head, LOL).
Another brilliant and very informative video many thanks Rob😮 i now feel fully equipped next time i fly to answer the call "is there a trained pilot onboard?"😂
Great video rob! As a civilian plane captain on the f-18, it’s pretty cool to see a view point from an aircraft that we fly on frequently off the boat! One question I do have is how come you guys don’t feather the props on shut down? Thanks again! Great video!
@flyrobroy - Can you tell us the range of one of those planes Rob? I read something, somewhere maybe a 2 years ago - the story of a C2 pilot and how you guys secretly had the best job in the Navy because you got to hop around all over and get sometimes long layovers in really cool places. Maybe it was written by you - I do not recall now. Made me think back to my Army days, before I retired years ago when I spent several years working with PACOM all over their AOR 6 to 8 months out of any year - Philippines, Thailand, SIngapore, Australia, Korea, and other places. I always thought I had the best job in the Army. Great for a single guy that liked to travel.
many a day spent on life guaed duty trailing the American and JFKennedy in the Med at 1000K's loved every second of it !!! SO many great photos of you guys on "The Ball" !!! thanks for what you do !!!
Good video-really cool. thank you for making this awesome . I just hope the ASO And all other carrier air wing crewmen and maintainers aren’t watching. He’s wearing a ring on each hand?! Yay, safety.
An Old Navy ‘BIRDFARMER’ here. Been looking at your stuff/posts since they began…BEST NARRATIONS EVER! BZ…! COD crews are the bravest in the AirWing Rob…you know why…no ejection seats and possibility of shifting cargo. Oh! And thanks for the mail! Caught the clue about the Osprey…propaganda…pray every second when onboard…
1968 1970 C2 A at Atsugi, Japan and Cubi Point Philippines VRC50 we flew those birds 12 hours a day seven days a week to supply all the aircraft carriers on the Yankee station. Tremendous aircraft like the old Time X watch takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Hard to believe 55 years ago.
Why don’t the crew have direct comms (frequency) with the ground crew instead of sign language on startup? I adore the multi bladed scimitar setups, we installed a similar prop on the PC12 and it’s so much better. Great to see some outside shots she’s a beauty.
Awesome video, I didn't know yall were still flying c models. That's some nostalgia right there, I remember when the super came out and even they are getting older now. The 14 will always be pure sex in fighter form to me though.
I have a friend who’s training in Goshawks to fly F-18s on the carriers and whenever he shows me the stuff he gets up to it makes me second guess my career path 😂😎
A few facts about the Osprey: 1. It has a better safety record per hour of flight than the C-2 2. It has a larger payload volume than the C-2 3. It can land heavier cargo onto a carrier deck than a C-2 4. Circa 2023, it had a better "up" rate aboard gator freighters than the C-2 had anywhere in the service.
Great video. Can't help but wonder if the C2s might just get a life extension since they must be several multiples cheaper to operate than the Ospreys. I am sure also that in the fullness of time there will be a successor to the Osprey and its technologies. I wonder also if the C2 was designed today that the only real difference would be the cockpit and avionics.
Have you read my free newsletter? It's called flybuyer - aviation news for the modern pilot. If you’re a pilot, aircraft owner or someone who just loves aviation - this newsletter is for you! Go to flybuyer.com/subscribe to get on the list!
Legend has it every time a C2 crashes they just add another blade to it's props.
More blades more power, more power fewer crashes, I guess.
@@TheNefastor Think the point was to state / remember that there was only 8 C2 crashes logged, 7 of them bein before 1973, pretty reliable plane TBH 😇
I was on the USS Independence in 1972 when one went into the drink on landing. It floated upside down for about 15 minutes and 5 passengers jumped out from the ramp but the 2 pilots didn’t make it.
@@davidgardner863 That's a sad story to hear, and the Pedro can't do anything about that ... 😥 Thank you for your service, hope ure retired now ! edit: while admiring the plane reliability I forgot to mention the fantastic crews operating them in the worst conditions, bless them !!
That's how jet engine was invented😂
My late uncle flew Sea Vixens for the Royal Navy. The Vixen was a big old bus for the time, and HMS Eagle was on the compact side for a carrier. He always said 'one didn't land on a carrier, but rather attempted to ram it wheels first as hard as the gear would allow'. When the Sea Harrier was first trialled, one of the senior officers aboard was asked what he was most impressed by - his response was 'the total lack of terror from the deck crew'.
I gave a PLUS --this story has to be remembered--two different plane´s--thx rollf
The Sea Vixen, is that a "COD-Carrier Onboard Delivery" aircraft?
@@s.marcus3669 It was an early concept for a missile-only fighter. However, with only four somewhat unreliable missiles and no guns, you were quickly useless in a fight.
@@EnderMalcolm I was being sarcastic, Drake. I really hate it when people take the conversation in a totally different tangent.
@@s.marcus3669 Sarcasm doesn't translate that well online, it sounded like you genuinely wanted to know.
i took off a carrier as a passenger sitting sideways once
once is way enough lol
talk about the bottom dropping out.
awesome plane great pilots and crew.
thx for the service greyhounds
Other than the fact that it often kills its occupants, the Osprey is a great bird.
Older COD driver here, with exactly 1,702 hours in type, 297 traps from the left seat and around 325 traps right. I had 79 night traps left and over 100 night traps right. This was due to VRC-30 flying night ops at the boat and being a VAW-120 IP, night CQ qualified.
The COD was a Thunder Pig, flew like it looked. I never flew the 8 blade or upgraded avionics. Anyway, good video!!
The B52 is a lot older than the COD, if it can fly forever then the COD can as well. If it works don’t fix it, that’s my money we’re talking about.
How many years did it take to get 1700 hours, if you don't me asking?
@@dirtfarmer7472 apart from beying very old, the C-2 is also too small to carry the F135 engine, something that the Osprey can do, and that's an important capability.
@@BrunoViniciusCampestrini
Maybe keep both
@@dirtfarmer7472 Keeping both means maintaining both logistics trains, and not only is that expensive, it requires more personnel, more training, and maybe most importantly, more space to store things like parts and tools. It just makes more sense to transition to the Osprey if it can do everything a Greyhound can do and much more.
I was a Grumman Aerospace Corporation employee at Bethpage Long Island NY 6 years with them . I was in old with the 2nd batch of C-2 CODs. Wing center section ,tail ramp, flight deck main entrance door. 1981-1987. Proud to be a part of helping our Navy as a civilian worker. A licensed A&P line technician United Airlines, J,Stutts.
Former Navy AD2 & retired major airline A&P here. Born & raised on Long Island but went to work defense contract after the Navy then went to the airlines. While I was working defense contract we went to Calverton to provide SAR support for them. FLY NAVY!!!
Don't you have some bolts to tighten?! 😂😂
This sentences are from a GUY --who is knowing about he is writing about--tue rollf --ex TORNADO CREWCHIEF----I read it three times --llooll and was starting my time in the MARINEFLIEGERGESCHWADER 1as a crewchief a couple of years after you--all my planes were comming home safely --that´s the (in my mind) best I think --but "TONY" was a great airplane --hope it will be so I (you would they --IT-) {I say -HE-) retired without any complication --I hope every PILOT that starts --return´s safe home - tue rollf
I worked out in Calverton at plant #6 final assembly form 1980 to 1995 on the F-14's , A6E's, EF-111's, nice to hear from a fellow Grumman " Iron Worker " ! Also an A&P since 1973 and Navy Carrier vet. Grumman built them to last, sad to see them close ! Cheers.
@@joemoore4027 -hi here is rollf--you have a lot of experience --a lot of planes --your cargoplane I never met--I think it is cool -supply is very important--the F-14 is a cool plane --I had the honour --in oceana --I´m a TORNADO PA 200 guy--and the F-14 is large -and i´m 1 meter --96 cm (figher the inch out --llooll)--and I miss my plane--the A6E´s I saw only in movie´s --BUT I believe it is a plane who safed the democratic world--the F-111 I saw one in Loosiemooth GB / Scottland--it made me goosepims -so enjoy your life JOE Moore --cheers --tue DEIN ROLLF
The reasons that the Navy is replacing the C-2 with the CMV-22, are age, vanishing parts vendors, and the ability of the Osprey to carry a complete F135PW-400 engine without being broken down into smaller components for loading aboard the C-2, plus, the CODSPREY can conduct VITREP/VOD along with performing the traditional COD mission, without the cargo broken down into smaller sling loads for the choppers to take over to the Strike Group's escorting Cruisers, and Destroyers, which is time consuming.
The reason the relatively simple, old-faithful ship is being replaced with the astoundingly dangerous, vulnerable, complex, over-the-top Osprey is that navy brass had long since acceded to the pressure from the vendors and their puppets in congress. Navy brass is sorta' like American Medical Doctors. As the allopathic physicians have abandoned all honor and responsibility in favor of money from big pharma, the brass has abandoned all honor and responsibility in favor of "better jobs later from the military industrial complex."
It ought to be - yeah - "embarrassing" - but when everybody's a prostitute, the only controversy gets down to such as "fishnet hose or no..."
Sounds like the Osprey is superior in every way -- until it crashes.
@@Cryptonymicussomething it does no more often than other military aircraft but you wouldn’t know it listening to the detractors
I like the Mistake. The only problem I have with it is that Boeing canceled the aerial refueling pod & the UK canceled the development of the airborne radar pod.
@@tomelmore8431 no more “astoundingly dangerous” than any other fleet aircraft including the beloved F-14, CH-53, and the list goes on. You must not know much about the history of new aircraft coming into the fleet. You sound unhinged.
I flew off the USS Saratoga in a C-2 COD in 1984 from the Eastern Med back to the USA to attend my brother's funeral. I was lucky enough to serve with my brother on the same boat. I was airwing, (VA-83 Rampagers) while my brother worked in Pri-Fly.
I got my C-2 flight time in 1990 &1991, in the back of course. Was working the insurgencies in the PI (Army Special Forces) when ground travel was cut off by the bad guys. We used C-2s going back and forth between Clark AB and Subic Bay NS. Again in 1991 while working the same issues (forgot to mention seven coup attempts an 1.5 years) Mount Pinatubo decided to erupt covering Clark in three-four feet of ash. That ended the official stations in the PI which was under renegotiations at that time. Assisted evacuating Clark with C-2s and all other USN/USAF assets that could be called in. The Carl Vinson arrived in short order and we loaded all dependents from both bases onboard. Last trip in to Clark was with USAF SPs to clear out the Armory of all their and our weapons and ammo. The bad guys had been there using sledge hammers trying to break down that massive steel door, no luck.
A short personal history but enjoyed those shaking/rattling C-2s!
MASSIVE RESPECT to YOU for your service…
I was in PI briefly as well…HM with VP-48. Do you remember the small tree monkeys that populated the woods?
I swept ash off the sidewalks at Subic in August '91. Good times.
Thanks for all the replies. Yes, the PI was a great place to work and enjoy! Angeles City and Olongapo were some "fun" places to hang out in. Now it looks like the US wants back in to Subic. Same problems with bad guys today as it was back then.
@@bucksfer7039I wrote a paper in college on this subject. Why do we want back in there?
What I liked was the talkover of the flight check video. Gives an insight of pre prep to fly.
Dont expect the C-2 to fade away anytime soon, they keep grounding the Osprey fleet for one glitch or another.
During my time (1977-79) aboard the Midway, before the internet and cell phones, sailors would cheer when the COD landed. The mail is here!
Concur! "COD ON THE BAA WITH MAIL" was everone's favorite 1MC call. Midway same time period in CAG-5.
VAW-115 1987-1989 aboard the USS Midway here! Was a Plane Cast and took care of the CODs from VRC-50 when they came aboard as well. What a time!!!! Wishing you well Shipmate!
For sure! C2's spot the mail buoys!
Midway 90-91, IM4, AIMD. Ground Support Equipment. Hearing them announce the COD with mail was always great to hear.
With the transition to the Osprey, I foresee a lot more lost cargo underway.
As a former F18 plane captain this was sweet to see the slightly different signals for the props! Thanks for the sweet shots sir
Such a cool plane! I fly C-5s but secretly wish I could fly the C-2. Don't tell my squadron 👀
USAF pilots ae good but can't quite wrap their brain around landing on a moving runway less than 2 miles long! (Carrier-qualified Jarhead pilot sends . . . )
Love your channel. I took a COD to the Midway back in 87 from Subic. My one and only carrier landing. Feels like yesterday.
It’s so cool how at the beginning when you showed outside of the C-2 and the props looked like they were standing still. That’s so crazy.
Was never an aviator, but, I got to experience my only carrier landing from the back of a COD.
I was looking at a photo of Ranger from about 1964 with the whole air group on deck--and it was so fun! What a drag to see a flight deck full of F-18s!
" ... a lot of switches and stuff ... "😂Great video - love the "hotting it up" over the taxi clip 😊
That is the voice of a man that loves his job.
This video brings back memories since I was a member of VRC-40 from 2004-2009 as a member of the AT Shop but 40 was Det Concept at the time not shop back in 2004 but I got to build a C2A in that had been sitting at the other end of the flight line by VAW-120 for about 4 years and was stripped down to just the Airframe without wings and anything inside of it at all! It was a great experience for a new AT to get to work in all the other ratings and I was a VERY PROUD PAPA when that bird came out of the hanger with a brand new paint job new engines and was ready to FLY for the first time. The Plate worked Perfectly on its first flight and was a Workhorse for 40 till it was sent out west for VRC-30 to send it to Japan because they needed a plane and they were short but if anyone opens some of the deck panels they will see my initials and a message not to mess up my PLANE! :)
Man oh man your videos take me back to my younger days on the USS KITTY HAWK CV-63. I can smell the JP5.
It's so funny how the props sync up with the camera shutter so it doesn't look like they're moving at all!
I was ATO on the Enterprise from 98-99 did the med cruise with VRC 40 Det 2 . I got to fly off with the boys a few times . Cat shots and traps are a ton of fun . Sad to see the C-2 get retired , I wonder wut will happen to the old battle wagons? Reserves ? Hopefully not the bone yard
When I was stationed on the USS Eisenhower 2000-2004, I used to love watching the CODS land. The C2 is my absolute favorite naval aircraft. Thank u sir for uploading your experiences as a pilot. 💯💯💯💯
Everyone loves the COD, we bring the mail! Well maybe except times when the VAW maintainers have to fix the bird when it goes down on the boat. Then, I'm sure they're cursing us 😅.
we just missed each other! I was on the mighty IKE from 04-07 my last day in the navy I was CODed off the ike
Instead of tucking my old behind into the rack, I stayed up (0420)to listen to your great narration and watch this doggone video. "Thank you sir, may I have another, lol lol." Great upload and this old EM appreciates the job you folks do to keep the rest of us sleeping warm and comfy. (Hand salute). E7, USAR, RETD.
I really appreciate these videos Rob Roy, very informative. Good information of all the non-verbal communication.
Hi Rob, thanks for all of the informative commentary to describe what is happening on the video. I thought only fighter jets landed on the carriers so this was interesting to see.
Those propellers at 2:03 look almost as cool as the noise they make. Very, very cool. I also remember my flight instructor saying (more than once) "you have to stay ahead of the aircraft". Very good advice. The winning comment though is "Hansel, so hot right now", I lost it and laughed so hard I scared my dog.
My late brother began his AB career on the Randolph during Korea. I think the blast deflector would have made it easier for him to collect the sought after bucket of prop wash! Flight deck too busy for me, my service being Silent. Narragansett Bay
Love it! “That Hansel is so hot right now” 😂
damnit, had to google it 😂
Condition lever to run, calling for air, rotation, oil pressure, fuel, haha it’s been 20+ years since I turn one of those up. I was low/hi power turn qualified back at good ole VRC-40 1997-2001 det 3 CVN 69. Great video! Thanks you. Brings me back!
Must have been kinda crazy to get out of the NAVY, then the US is at war later that year.
I really enjoyed your cockpit mustache cam shots from back in the day. Good to see your posting again, this kinda stuff is cool to watch :D
Love your commentary Bro!!!
Tried for the Gold Wings but budget cuts killed that. So it’s good to live vicariously through you!!!!
Sure are lots of switches n stuff.
Retired F/A-18A-F framer here. I have some serious issues with the Osprey. My biggest complaint was you now have to build a break in the schedule to land that POS. The COD you could land and stuff it in the hummer hole. We did a DET on the Vinson supported by the osprey bake in 2017 or 2018. That thing is massive spread and spinning. The C-2 is proven and pretty reliable for its age. Rob thank you guys for doing gods work and bringing me a ton of mail over the years!
True, but the C-2 can't land on a rooftop.
@@aCycloneSteve sure can’t, but not sure the last time the COD Carrier Onboard Delivery needed too.
@@budmcdonald9190 One can never predict the future with certainty.
I'm thinking that our allies & perhaps even the US will someday need to supplement it's navel aviation by using LHA's to launch F-35B's. Having the ability to refuel them with the Boeing's now canceled aerial refueling pod & protect a group with the now canceled British airborne radar pod is an option that is now off the table.
@@budmcdonald9190
The Osprey may be able to land on a rooftop but it’s still an over-priced, widow-making, hangar queen POS.
I just discovered your channel and subscribed. Excellent video of the C2 starting up and flying. I remember when the C1 was flying with the C2 replacing it.The C2 has been a good reliable aircraft for the COD role. Now the C2 is now being replaced by the CMV 22 Osprey.
Awesome Rick, thanks for subsribing!
My dad, who spent 30+ years on flight decks of CV's/CVS's/CVA's told me 'normal' people don't fly CODs (regularly, he did do a few flights in a C1a), but then he was a STOOF (S-2f/g) driver...lol.
A very cool video. I was a CS so I never got to see the aviation side of the Navy.
I love these videos. Always great gaining more insight into the process. Just a sound designer here who has had the pleasure of working on a few Imax docs; Aircraft Carrier; Guardian of the Seas, also not directly related, Rescue, and Fighter Pilot; Operation Red Flag.
I loved when these would visit our FBO. Such a cool aircraft and sad to see them go.
It may be adumb question but I noticed that at 4:08, during the landing, both pilots had their hand on their yoke. Why is that?
former VRC-30 XO/CO here - very sad to see the C-2 go. That was a good tour, very demanding but lots of good memories. Great experience. Last P-3 guy to go to COD's.
When I was stationed on the U.S.S. Enterprise the C-2 Cod was my favorite aircraft because they brought mail! This was long before e-mail.
I have no love for the HST did two deployments as part of the CSG in '13-'14 and '16-'17 and did not enjoy the direction we received from them. But moving into aviation on the outside world this is fascinating to me now as an instructor on how Naval Aviation functions.
My dad was Navy when I was young but he was a Radioman 1st Class on Submarines. I ended up going ARNG as a combat engineer. As much as I like water, I wanted to be closer to home for most of my military contract.
Old Air Wing jarhead here. Land based catapult and arresting gear. (mid 70's) Seen lots of YT videos about these activities. I really enjoyed your style with this one.
Great video, I have to ask, I work for the USAF at RAF Lakenheath. I often send parcels/packages to USS and USNS ships plus the odd submarine, I know they tend to go to a land based APO but do you guys then deliver it via a carrier? Just always wondered how the parcels I send out get to there final destination
Great question - the answer is yes! haha. We literally fly on any and all packages that need to go to the aircraft carrier. More often then not, they are Amazon Prime packages lol
I taught some aircraft systems on the very first F/A-18. Retired from McBoeing (McDonnell/Boeing) 35 years later.
Back before I was born the TBF/TBM was used for Carrier Onboard Delivery. Then modified A1 Sky Raiders were used to deliver personnel and priority supplies. The C1 Trader was still in service when I joined the Marines but if I remember correctly, it was only used by reservists at the time. There were experiments with the C130.
The C2 Greyhound had some issues such as excessive airframe fatigue and there were rumors of converting some S-3 Vikings over to COD duties. In my opinion the C2 is limited to a dozen flight decks.
While on a November 77 to August 78 WESPAC aboard the USS Tripoli/LPH-10 a C-130 made an emergency resupply from CONUS. Included in the drop was mail dated the same day.
My brother Dave conducted CH-53E qualification on an AKA during the Eighties and was the last to make a successful landing and take-off, but the Super Stallion was never cleared to operate from the AKA due to mere inches of rotor blade clearance.
Should the CV-22 get its bugs ironed out, all of the helicopter carrier flight decks can be added to the COD list. Several other platforms can comfortably handle the Osprey (excluding the AKA--if there are any remaining in mothballs). A dozen platforms versus perhaps thirty without the need to use parachutes. How did the Greyhound handle in-flight refueling? "On paper" often doesn't translate into reality. President George W. Bush was a passenger aboard a Viking when he infamously landed on the Abraham Lincoln/CVN-72. This one-upped Richard Nixon's visit to USS Hornet/CVS-12 to personally greet the Apollo 11 astronauts.
Being able to launch missiles and fixed-wing aircraft (AV-8 Harrier, replaced by F-35B Lightning) from surface ships is a game changer in power projection. When will the US Navy catch up to the WW2 Imperial Japanese Navy with submarine aircraft carriers? Then there was this proposal: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SUSTAIN_(military)
Could SUSTAIN pull the COD mission? Can the C-27 Spartan be operated from both real aircraft carriers and the helicopter carriers? The C-130 didn't use arrestor cables or catapults--the smaller Spartan might get away without those, too. There are many glitches between wild-assed idea and routine operations--and COD started off in the Thirties using biplane torpedo bombers.
As Aviation Officer Candidates in Pensacola around 1981 three of us would usually head out to the NAS Pensacola transient flight line during our 4-hours of freedom on Sunday afternoons to see what types of aircraft were in town. During one memorable occasion a C-1 Trader (predecessor to the C-2 Greyhound) landed, taxied in and shutdown near where we were exploring an F-14 Tomcat. The two pilots exited the aircraft, walked past us, and said "Hey, guys." We were mesmerized. They both needed haircuts and they had enough facial hair to suggest a beard (Navy personnel could have facial hair back then) or they just hadn't shaved in a week. Their flight suits were zipped down to their navel and their flight boots hadn't seen polish in years and looked grey, not black. One of my buds said "I'm gonna fly C-1s." My other classmate and I instantly agreed. Unfortunately none of us got so lucky. But during the rest of my 28 years as a pilot I always thought of COD guys as the "Bikers" of Naval Aviation.
Great narration Rob. Fly Navy 🇬🇧👍
I flew out to the Truman on a COD, I remember the rear door didn't seal and when we got to altitude the flight crew ran from the front to the back and had to jump on the door to get it to seal. Turned the whole aircraft into a cloud for about a min. Fun times in the worlds greatest navy!
I grew near Grumman in Bethpage, Long Island and would see the E-2s fly off when they were build and delivered to the Navy....
Loved it
Thanks Sergio and thanks for subscribing!
Can you please explain why both pilots were holding the yoke while landing? I’ve never seen it before. Thanks
When I was in the Navy (1966-70), the C-2 and its various related types were new and a major advancement from the venerable C-1 and related types. Although our air group ECM detatchment aircraft remained based on the C-1 for our Essex-Class carriers, the C-2 could easily operate off the smaller and older ships. The greyhounds were powerful and versatile birds. Sorry to see 'em flying off into the sunset. Good luck with the Osprey...
My goal is to one day fly carrier aircraft. I know how hard it is but let’s see where dedication takes me. Thanks for sharing! God bless
Yellow shirt here, USS RANGER CV61,V1 DIV ,FLY 3 76 TO 78, FUNNEST JOB IVE EVER HAD.GREAT VIDS!!
I worked at Grumman on the C2-A from 1985 through 1988 in Bethpage plant 1 building the side fuselage panels and interior work.
I got a cat shot in one of these in the Mediterranean Sea around 1989. I was shocked at the acceleration. I was amazed that the wings didn't come off.
Excellent teaching video. I enjoyed that and learned a couple of things. I was trained as a second mech on F-14s before they sent me to AT school. This brings back some great memories. Thank you.
(Btw, the musical interlude was great! Now I've got it stuck in my head, LOL).
It’s like watching someone’s home movies but these are good ones!
Another brilliant and very informative video many thanks Rob😮
i now feel fully equipped next time i fly to answer the call "is there a trained pilot onboard?"😂
Cool plane, got to work on them and E-2Cs at Norfolk in the 1980s, probably the same planes!
Another masterful video! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
Great video rob! As a civilian plane captain on the f-18, it’s pretty cool to see a view point from an aircraft that we fly on frequently off the boat! One question I do have is how come you guys don’t feather the props on shut down? Thanks again! Great video!
Fantastic video I love this guy…… the last part was clutch. “ yall pilots working on it lotta switches and stuff.”😅
Three carriers, no C-2 rides, but did ride three times in a CH-46 on the supply ship I was on.
Thanks for the external view. Earlier, I was looking out the windshield, and went "wait, what, are those trees? On the deck of an aircraft carrier?"
I love these insights in the day to day operations on the flight deck.
Those 8 blades are so weird from the 4 blade Hamilton Standard props I was used to! They had you TOW?? Very nice as always! Cheers!
@flyrobroy - Can you tell us the range of one of those planes Rob? I read something, somewhere maybe a 2 years ago - the story of a C2 pilot and how you guys secretly had the best job in the Navy because you got to hop around all over and get sometimes long layovers in really cool places. Maybe it was written by you - I do not recall now. Made me think back to my Army days, before I retired years ago when I spent several years working with PACOM all over their AOR 6 to 8 months out of any year - Philippines, Thailand, SIngapore, Australia, Korea, and other places. I always thought I had the best job in the Army. Great for a single guy that liked to travel.
I know my son loves these flights! Being on the edisonhower it brings his care packages!
many a day spent on life guaed duty trailing the American and JFKennedy in the Med at 1000K's loved every second of it !!! SO many great photos of you guys on "The Ball" !!! thanks for what you do !!!
Any insight as to why both the left and rightseater had their hands on the controlls during landing?
One of them controls the comms, usually the button is on the yoke.
Thank you
I needed this,
delivered ...
Gonna start calling the F/A-18C a baby hornet now. Thank you for that wonderful nickname.
Good video-really cool. thank you for making this awesome .
I just hope the ASO And all other carrier air wing crewmen and maintainers aren’t watching. He’s wearing a ring on each hand?! Yay, safety.
An Old Navy ‘BIRDFARMER’ here. Been looking at your stuff/posts since they began…BEST NARRATIONS EVER! BZ…! COD crews are the bravest in the AirWing Rob…you know why…no ejection seats and possibility of shifting cargo. Oh! And thanks for the mail! Caught the clue about the Osprey…propaganda…pray every second when onboard…
Your narration is gold! For a sec I thought we might not get the "We are outahere! Seeyah!"
Which plane will you be flying next? Great channel mate love the videos. Respect from Australia 🇦🇺
I love it, PHELPS and SUNSHINE! Great COD dudes. I love this video. Super Cool. Thanks for sharing.
On the Big Stick? Ever get shore leave at NSA SUDA BAY?
1968 1970 C2 A at Atsugi, Japan and Cubi Point Philippines VRC50 we flew those birds 12 hours a day seven days a week to supply all the aircraft carriers on the Yankee station. Tremendous aircraft like the old Time X watch takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Hard to believe 55 years ago.
Why don’t the crew have direct comms (frequency) with the ground crew instead of sign language on startup? I adore the multi bladed scimitar setups, we installed a similar prop on the PC12 and it’s so much better. Great to see some outside shots she’s a beauty.
Man to many switches and gauges 😮😊
Wonderful! Well done, love your sense of humor. Ex-ATC here.
that shot narration was killer! love your vids
I really dig your commentary. Great job. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Awesome video, I didn't know yall were still flying c models. That's some nostalgia right there, I remember when the super came out and even they are getting older now. The 14 will always be pure sex in fighter form to me though.
COD on the ball with mail. USS Midway 1980-1982, US Carl Vinson 1983, USS MIDWAY 1987-1989. The memories are awesome.
I have a friend who’s training in Goshawks to fly F-18s on the carriers and whenever he shows me the stuff he gets up to it makes me second guess my career path 😂😎
Awesome gow You get all those camera angles filmed by different people/cams even though you’re just landing/raking off👏
Love the voice over and the humour
You have great narration skills, your voice is perfect!
And to think, their replacing these proven work horses with "death defying contraptions" aka Osprey's.
I prefer to not think about it…
Leave it to the politicians to screw up what works. (See USAF A-10).
A few facts about the Osprey:
1. It has a better safety record per hour of flight than the C-2
2. It has a larger payload volume than the C-2
3. It can land heavier cargo onto a carrier deck than a C-2
4. Circa 2023, it had a better "up" rate aboard gator freighters than the C-2 had anywhere in the service.
@@jamesharding3459 And it can both land and takeoff from a rooftop or a carrier that's been hit and is without power. ;-)
Great video. Can't help but wonder if the C2s might just get a life extension since they must be several multiples cheaper to operate than the Ospreys. I am sure also that in the fullness of time there will be a successor to the Osprey and its technologies. I wonder also if the C2 was designed today that the only real difference would be the cockpit and avionics.
this bird was born same with one if my favs, thanks for experience
FLY NAVY 👉