New color scheme on operational squadrons
According to the aviationist (provided from someone on the ARC board), the new paint is targeted at SEAD-tasked Block 5X units only (which is pretty much all of 'em ). No confirmation of this tho.
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Hmmm. I guess Mr. Cenciotti's source didn't know about the two Block 30 Vipers at Edwards that have the paint scheme applied as well? Granted the Edwards birds may be a test effort just to show feasibility, but the evidence so far suggests more than the 5x's are getting it.
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Nice shot of 848 chasing an F-35. Overall color looks the same here.
http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... 630bc6b31d
http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Ai ... 630bc6b31d
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The article is linked here on f-16.net but according to it, the Block 40's are still getting the 2-tone gray scheme applied. Lends a little credence to the thought that the dark gray scheme may be "Block 50-only" with the exception of the two Block 30's at ED. Still surprised more examples aren't popping up.
http://www.aviano.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123323507
http://www.aviano.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123323507
Stands to reason. Logic suggests they'll wanna see how it holds up under daily ops (especially in a desert setting) before pulling the trigger on the whole fleet. Could take several months or 2 or 3 deployments.
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-004 still sporting the new scheme. http://www.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/ ... 99-934.jpg
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You don't repaint jets every other day. The skin of the Viper is pretty worn by the sandblasting and paint removal period, so you will follow strickt schedules for such repaints. These Vipers have most likely been repainted at regular repaint-intervals. Not sure, but read somewhere that it is around 5 years between repaints? I bet someone who knows this form the inside can confirm or deny
Best regards
Niels
Niels
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Yeah wasn't expecting it to be different, the comment was a little tongue-in-cheek since we've only see a few examples of the scheme so far. The MN painted Viper (391) spent some time in the sandbox and appeared to be no worse for wear when she got back so maybe they're getting closer to making a decision.
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Been a while, but it looks like another all dark gray VIper has finally popped up. http://www.flickr.com/photos/eor1/10682 ... 1071814798. Missing the South Carolina tail code/bar but still looks cool.
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Looks like a few more examples have shown up at Duluth. I see 91-336 and 91-410 are now sporting the new scheme.
http://www.148fw.ang.af.mil/shared/medi ... 22-089.jpg
http://www.148fw.ang.af.mil/shared/medi ... 22-097.jpg
http://www.148fw.ang.af.mil/shared/medi ... 22-053.jpg
http://www.148fw.ang.af.mil/shared/medi ... 22-089.jpg
http://www.148fw.ang.af.mil/shared/medi ... 22-097.jpg
http://www.148fw.ang.af.mil/shared/medi ... 22-053.jpg
the first Have Glass 5 for Nellis is out and about. OT 90-0740 422TES
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eor1/3502 ... ateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eor1/3502 ... ateposted/
It would appear that at least one Viper from the SDANG (Block 40) has an HG5 application.
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