I re-read what I was looking at. I was wrong. It was saying that only subs older than November 1 get the gunship paint job. Every think else is unlocked to all subs on Dec 3.
I have to say that probably would've been the straw that broke the camel's back. To deny a paying customer part of the game would've been unforgivable.
oh well, crisis averted. back to troubleshooting the ui loading at the wrong resolution bug. like I have been for three days.