Well, after two weeks and 122 views with no replies I shall have to assume the answer is NO, there is no way to easily change the F3 and F8 viewpoints.
I had found many years ago that if you add this to a ship's .udf file, [UNIT] section, you could create the "Flying Ship":
Translate = 0,50,0
This translates the visual model 50 m higher and creates a ship flying above the surface of the sea. I have no idea if this makes you immune to torpedo attacks or screws up your opponent's gunfire, but it amusing nonetheless. I had hoped something similar would affect the F3 and F8 viewpoints but to no avail. Oh well, for now it is what it is . . .
