"SCORCH 51" in full airplane mode as it prepares to work El Centro's runway 8

168280 from FY2011 is the first presidential Osprey (LRIP Lot 15). It flew first on 23 Jan'13 and was delivered to Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMX) ONE 'the Nighthawks' on 3 May'13. The Marine One Osprey's replaced a small number of CH-46 and CH-53s within HMX-1 and are used as support aircraft. They lack the white paint at the top of the fuselage (thus the nickname "white tops") that the VIP transport helicopters have. On 11 Aug'13 two MV-22Bs made their presidential debut ferrying Secret Service agents, White House staff, and members of the media from CGAS Cape Cod to Martha's Vineyard (MA).

The construction number of this Osprey is unconfirmed. The tilt-rotor is coming from the Lor Rate Initial Production Lot 115 series and was part of the US Navy FY2011 budget. As they are support aircraft, the are named "Green Tops", the other assetts of HMX-1 are named "White Tops" and these transport the VIPs. HMX-1 operates a dozen MV-22Bs.

The construction number of this Osprey is not known. The Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMX) ONE MV-22Bs are identical to those used by the USMC in the fleet, they only differ from their paint job.

Final approach for runway 26.

Final approach for runway 26.

"SCORCH 55" CMV-22B works the March tower pattern late in the day

This was the second pre-series development aircraft. It wears very light MARINES - AIR FORCE titles on the rear fuselage, also if being registered with a Navy/USMC serial

This squadron as VMM-561 barely made 18 months of activation surviving until July 7 2012. This is the one and only 'Pale Horse' I have photos of.

'Red Lions' MV-22B performing it's routine during practice day for the 2014 Yuma show

"RUDY 70" CMV-22B getting in some pattern work with multiple circuits yesterday

Another excellent paint job by Shayne Meder. The code for this squadron would typically be YP, but was left off of the aircraft.