Lov viz vs Hi viz paint schemes....

[Navy Chief]

I remember when the "Hi visibility" paint schemes were changed to "Lo visibility" in the early 80s. The A-7 Corsair squadron I was with (VA-15 Valions) had very colorful markings. Most striking of all, were the tail colors! For that matter, ALL squadron markings were much more colorful, and interesting. The guys in the Corrosion Control workcenter (responsible for applying/maintaining the markings) ; weren't so enthusiastic, I suppose. It would take quite a while for them to complete the job sometimes.

When the haze gray (ZZZZZZzzzzz...boring!) Low visibilty paint schemes were implemented, the aircraft were no longer distinctive.

I understand the reasons behind the change, but I always enjoy flying those aircraft with the Cold War Era paint schemes!

NC

84932

[beana51]

Yes "DAY GLOW"!......

http://www.cloud9photography.us/Military-Aviation-Photography/DAY-GLOW-Airplane-Pictures-of/4407689_2vNFqx#!i=1367570102&k=RBrJkfF

[Navy Chief]

Yes "DAY GLOW"!......

http://www.cloud9photography.us/Military-Aviation-Photography/DAY-GLOW-Airplane-Pictures-of/4407689_2vNFqx#!i=1367570102&k=RBrJkfF

Yes, the test centers like Pt. Mugu, China Lake, Pax River....they all had "test Orange" markings..... NC Still do, I think...

[Meso]

Just out of curiosity, why are they so grey today? i can understand you need low-viz paint in a close range dogfight, but isnt all the dogfights BVR today? does color really matter then?

kind regards,
Meso

[Navy Chief]

Just out of curiosity, why are they so grey today? i can understand you need low-viz paint in a close range dogfight, but isnt all the dogfights BVR today? does color really matter then?

kind regards,
Meso

You are probably correct about the dogfights being BVR (beyond visual range). One other thing is that the paint used now is not glossy, and the dirt is MUCH harder to get off! NC

[TeaSea]

​radar absorption I believe.....

[Flyboy208]

I was at NAS Point Mugu in the arly 90's and saw QF-86's and QF-4's with some "Day - Glow" Paint schemes .... takes me back ! Mike :salute:

[Jafo]

Just out of curiosity, why are they so grey today? i can understand you need low-viz paint in a close range dogfight, but isnt all the dogfights BVR today? does color really matter then?

kind regards,
Meso
If it's got guns yer talkin' visual ....and a Corsair's got guns...;)

[srgalahad]

Beana's post/link to the Cloud-9 photos got me thinking about all that Day Glo so I did a bit of digging.

Since it's not just about FSX the article is in Newshawks, but for the navigationally-challenged, here's the link:
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?77704-Day-Glo-more-than-orange

[fxsttcb]

Boeing's F-4 Phantom "Rare Plumage and Wild Colors" page has a few colorful shots left on it. http://www.boeing.com/boeing/companyoffices/gallery/images/f4/f4_gallery5.page
I can remember when there were dozens on the page, including some really neat QF-4 schemes.

Top Row, Right. My 1975 ride to Top Gun. The shot was taken on the NFWS flightline just after we had secured the bird...Don

[dhazelgrove]

Give me hi-vis every time. :cost1::cost1:
There were some lovely VMFP-3 markings - including the famous bicentennial markings (available in the library here).

Dave

[delta_lima]

Give me hi-vis every time. :cost1::cost1:
There were some lovely VMFP-3 markings - including the famous bicentennial markings (available in the library here).

Dave

Search in the Library for "Phantom RF-4" by authors "Duckie" and "Tranquil" ... all the photo Phantom you can shake a stick at .... :)

DL