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Elite Joined: Jan 14, 2004 Posts: 2450 Status: Offline

There you go. A non-standard paint scheme, painted in a purposeful way, that looks professional, and good. Edwards has always had some nice looking jets. I really liked their white F-4s too!

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TC wrote:

That Viper looks like someone let their 8 year old paint it. I'm normally not big on special paint schemes anyway. Yeah, the CAG's bird looks cool on Navy ships, but other than that, I could generally care less...unless it is done, in a more "professional" manner, i.e., Luke's Reserve unit painting the red tail on the Viper in honor of the Tuskeegee Airmen. I thought that was pretty cool. Then, of course, the Heritage QF-4s.

As far as the Thunderbirds getting Raptors? They just received Blk. 50 Vipers, so it doesn't look like they'll be getting out of the F-16 for at least another decade. It would make sense that their next acquisition would be the F-35 (another single engine, mass produced, multi-role, Lockheed Martin fighter, in worldwide use)...but that's already been debated heavily in a couple of other threads.

Yeah, it's a pity the F-22's so darn expensive that the 'Birds won't be getting them. I saw that kind of paint scheme in the FS9 F-22, but alas, the only place it'll fly is in my computer. Crying or Very sad

Elite Joined: Jan 14, 2004 Posts: 2450 Status: Offline

I don't think that expense really has much to do with it, as much as quantity does. The AF is really only buying just enough F-22s to have about 5 or 6 operational wings, plus one training wing, and then the test, and operational test birds. In other words, they're only buying just enough to do the job.

The F-35 will be produced in greater numbers. Therefore, when the time comes, it will be easier for the AF to release 8 to 10 Lightnings for use with the Thunderbirds and the AF Demo teams, than it would to release 8 to 10 F-22s.

But again, this has already been heavily debated/discussed in a couple of other threads.

Tinito_16 wrote:

Now, if only the Air Force would paint the F-22 in Thunderbird livery... Drool

You's crazy. The 22 looks sexy enough as it is. Why making it even sexier would make us find it so sexy it would turn our attentions away from our wifes. That is of course the most logical reasoning.

RamF16 wrote:

and besides, you will never see a jet in the AOR painted up like that.

Proof that the Squadron Jets do go into battle painted up. Here is a picture of the VFA-86 Squadron bird on the basket over Iraq taken by me.

Elite Joined: Jul 20, 2005 Posts: 1029 Status: Offline

TC wrote:

The F-35 will be produced in greater numbers. Therefore, when the time comes, it will be easier for the AF to release 8 to 10 Lightnings for use with the Thunderbirds and the AF Demo teams, than it would to release 8 to 10 F-22s.

But again, this has already been heavily debated/discussed in a couple of other threads.

You're correct...and it was thought that there was no need or reasoning behind putting F-35's into our display team. They will have the F-16's for a LONG time. Thats why they just upgraded the jets.

I'd like to see something along the lines of the CAG birds in the USAF. The shadowded tail codes for Squadron commanders and Wing kings is pretty lame in comparison to the USN jets. Some jets such as the Diamondbacks CAG bird look bad. On the flip side the Tophatters CAG bird is amazing. I dont think "High Viz" markings are a big beal now with BVR weapons and other weapons that offer a decent stand off range. Even in the CAS role your working low and close enough that I dont think the color of your jet is going to matter. I think we should be able to show our squadron/wing colors that shadows and multiple tail flashes. The 23rd has been doing it since WW2 with the sharks mouth on everything from P-40s to C-130s. Lets expand that!

Newbie Joined: May 10, 2008 Posts: 6 Status: Offline

RamF16 wrote:

Hey dudes, long-time lurker on the forums here, I thought it was finally time to join! I just wanted to bring another viewpoint on this subject to the table... these jets are war machines, not canvases for an artist to paint on. I personally have never been a fan of the "rainbow" color schemes found on the Navy CAG jets and the few Air Force jets you see adorned in similar ways. To me, it defeats the purpose.. these jets are SUPPOSED to be hard to see, and besides, you will never see a jet in the AOR painted up like that. The low-viz schemes are much more in line with the jet's real sole reason for existing... to be a sharp instrument in our ability to wage war with the enemy. End of story. Not an airshow machine, not a tribute aircraft...

I'll have to agree with Ram on this topic. Let's leave the colorful jet art to the T-birds, period. The jets I've always worked on were the ones that leaked oil and hyd fluid, had dirt and grease streaks running down the fuselage, paint chipped from the L/E, and different shades of gray on LEF panels. But....ask any pilot who flew it and they would say they would take into combat any time. Kind of like seeing aircraft maintainers with crisp, clean uniforms and shined boots, which usually aren't the troops you want working on your jet. Very Happy

Point being is if you want to put on a show for the public, by all means let's put our best foot forward and show the best looking aircraft and crew chief. But if you're in combat, then let's act professional about it and fly jets with camy or subdued paint schemes.

Active member Joined: Apr 22, 2004 Posts: 133

Uhh...Paint schemes do matter a lot. Very tough to see the F-16's low vis grey. The Hornets lighter grey sticks out a little more and is easier to spot especially against a ground back drop.
And to anyone who thinks that BVR is where your going to kill all the opponents...well, probably need to rethink a little.

Some times my jet sticks out like a sore thumb. Flogger paint scheme against a blue back ground...not good. Blue Flanker against a blue background....gooooood! Blue flanker against a desert back ground...not good. Flogger paint scheme in Nevada...gooood
Over all the low vis grey of the Viper and its small size....goooood. Artic paint scheme....coool, I mean good look down.

Elite Joined: Oct 30, 2006 Posts: 627 Status: Offline

Enginetester wrote:

The jets I've always worked on were the ones that leaked oil and hyd fluid, had dirt and grease streaks running down the fuselage, paint chipped from the L/E, and different shades of gray on LEF panels.

All I have to say about the subject:

Even money: you'r from Shaw Rolling Eyes

Fix the sh*t ... the Viper is easy Embarassed

Newbie Joined: May 10, 2008 Posts: 6 Status: Offline

VarkVet wrote:

Enginetester wrote:

The jets I've always worked on were the ones that leaked oil and hyd fluid, had dirt and grease streaks running down the fuselage, paint chipped from the L/E, and different shades of gray on LEF panels.

All I have to say about the subject:

Even money: you'r from Shaw Rolling Eyes

Fix the sh*t ... the Viper is easy Embarassed

Sorry, you lost the bet! Never been to Shaw. Very Happy

It's obvious you don't have much experience working on aircraft and/or engines, either. Embarassed

You missed the point, too. Doh

Aircraft are built to fly, and if there's a bit of grease that has seeped out of some panels, or a bit of an oil leak from your engine, it's a little more important for your keep jet flying combat missions than it is to make it look pretty. Big No No

Although, there are times when we want our jets painted and looking pretty (i.e. Thunderbirds) then by all means do what you have to do to make it look it's best. In these situations, then, yes, by all means, lets paint them, clean them, polish them, etc.

Now it's my turn.....even bet, you're from Luke? They LOVE washing jets at Luke. Heck, that's more important than flying them. Or better yet, it's more important to wash cars than it is to fly jets!! Luke....biggest Mickey Mouse operation in the Air Force!!!

Strange, most of the ones I saw at Luke back when I was there for training looked like sh*t. My jet that spent 3 months in Iraq looked better when it came home than those do daily.

The AF would never do it, but the Israeli style F-16 tails in the same colors as the camo would be cool.

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Why doesn't the USAF do this?