JensOle
October 2nd, 2009, 12:26
Hi,
Most F/A-18 Hornet users has opted for grey low visibility paint schemes, but the Kuwaiti Air Force has opted for an interesting camouflage scheme which combines shades of grey and sand colours.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kuwait</st1:place></st1:country-region> actually ordered their C and D models before the Gulf war in 1990, but the aircraft were not delivered before after the war. About 40 aircraft are split between 9 and 25 Sqn.
<o:p></o:p>
Captain Sim included a Kuwaiti paint scheme for their Xload F/A-18D package and I was about to change just the tail art to 25 Sqn when I discovered that the paint scheme was completely wrong for a Kuwaiti Hornet. Even the tail number was not right! (it was for a single seater C model) Just one of the tail fins showed similar patterns as the real scheme. So I started to make completely new Kuwaiti textures, but that proved to be quite a demanding research job to find pictures to show all part of the wrap around paint scheme. Very few hi-res pictures are available of the KAF Bugs. <st1:PersonName w:st="on" ProductID="Frank Safranek">Frank Safranek</st1:PersonName> was of great help with finding a hi res picture of the 25 Sqn badge. The Kuwaitis have kept the decals to a minimum, beside the standard warning decals, there are only the national flag, squadron badge and number on the aircraft.
<o:p></o:p>
In the end I believe I got it mostly right and here are some screenshots of F/A-18D “<st1:metricconverter w:st="on" ProductID="442”">442”</st1:metricconverter> of 25 Sqn. Judging from recent pictures, the camo scheme looks rather faded and weathered by the Arabian sun and I have tried to make that impression on the repaint.
<o:p></o:p>
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/JensOle/Arab/Scrshot0112.jpg
<o:p></o:p>
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/JensOle/Arab/Scrshot0092.jpg
<o:p></o:p>
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/JensOle/Arab/scrshot1642.jpg
Most F/A-18 Hornet users has opted for grey low visibility paint schemes, but the Kuwaiti Air Force has opted for an interesting camouflage scheme which combines shades of grey and sand colours.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kuwait</st1:place></st1:country-region> actually ordered their C and D models before the Gulf war in 1990, but the aircraft were not delivered before after the war. About 40 aircraft are split between 9 and 25 Sqn.
<o:p></o:p>
Captain Sim included a Kuwaiti paint scheme for their Xload F/A-18D package and I was about to change just the tail art to 25 Sqn when I discovered that the paint scheme was completely wrong for a Kuwaiti Hornet. Even the tail number was not right! (it was for a single seater C model) Just one of the tail fins showed similar patterns as the real scheme. So I started to make completely new Kuwaiti textures, but that proved to be quite a demanding research job to find pictures to show all part of the wrap around paint scheme. Very few hi-res pictures are available of the KAF Bugs. <st1:PersonName w:st="on" ProductID="Frank Safranek">Frank Safranek</st1:PersonName> was of great help with finding a hi res picture of the 25 Sqn badge. The Kuwaitis have kept the decals to a minimum, beside the standard warning decals, there are only the national flag, squadron badge and number on the aircraft.
<o:p></o:p>
In the end I believe I got it mostly right and here are some screenshots of F/A-18D “<st1:metricconverter w:st="on" ProductID="442”">442”</st1:metricconverter> of 25 Sqn. Judging from recent pictures, the camo scheme looks rather faded and weathered by the Arabian sun and I have tried to make that impression on the repaint.
<o:p></o:p>
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/JensOle/Arab/Scrshot0112.jpg
<o:p></o:p>
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/JensOle/Arab/Scrshot0092.jpg
<o:p></o:p>
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/JensOle/Arab/scrshot1642.jpg