NATO Fighters 3

[Emp_Palpatine 501]

I don't think the Euro One scheme was introduced until the 1980s...after the WOE campaigns take place.

Right then. I must admit that I'm really not a specialist of US air force.

In a French magazine on the USAFE, I saw some F-4 in Euro camo (photos dated to the 80's, indeed), and I found them georgous. But as I prefer history closeness, no problem with the SEA scheme then.

[column5 63]

Right then. I must admit that I'm really not a specialist of US air force.

In a French magazine on the USAFE, I saw some F-4 in Euro camo (photos dated to the 80's, indeed), and I found them georgous. But as I prefer history closeness, no problem with the SEA scheme then.

 

I agree, the Euro scheme is awesome on the Phantom! :yes:

[+Dave 2,322]

Yes Euro Green Rhinos are among my favorite.

[Guest Sony Tuckson]

but as stated, was only seen in the G Wild Weasel variant in USAFE units

 

E models were seen with SEA scheme and the wraparound version of it

 

Some continental US units deployed to Europe with the Euro camo (e.g. the Rocketeers from Seymour Johnson, well before the F-15E appeared)

 

F-4E were deployed mainly at Ramstein, 86 TFW and Spangdhalem, 52 TFW.

 

RF-4C from Zweibrucken were seen with Euro scheme for many months.

[+Spectre_USA 7]

I flew my last NATO Fighters campaign in an F-16A with Euro camo as default `coz I like it!

 

And, as a USAFE patch wearer in the 80's, I figure I can.

 

[Nicholas Bell 117]

When did the USAF (and other NATO) countries start camouflaging their planes anyway? Always wondered why (and when) everyone gave up bare metal aircraft.

[column5 63]

When did the USAF (and other NATO) countries start camouflaging their planes anyway? Always wondered why (and when) everyone gave up bare metal aircraft.

 

USAF switched to camo around 1965 for obvious reasons...I believe the standard NATO camo started showing up in the late 1950s but someone else will have to give the definitive answer.

[Emp_Palpatine 501]

Yes Euro Green Rhinos are among my favorite.

Oh, nice pic!

So "cold-warish"

Euro-camo F-4 always remember me of a Calvin and hobbes strip, when Calvin is building (at least trying) a F-4 model.

It also reminds me of good ol' A-10 Tank Killer!

[Emp_Palpatine 501]

USAF switched to camo around 1965 for obvious reasons...I believe the standard NATO camo started showing up in the late 1950s but someone else will have to give the definitive answer.

As for Armée de l'Air, they switched by the mid-60's or early 70's too, when the european-camoed Mirage III-E entered service. Around the same time, Mirage III-C got their "aerial defense blue", whereas older "nudes" planes where phased out. But I do remember some Super mystère or F-100 pictures, in the late 70, with sort of Desert or SEA camo, flying from Djibouti.

[Guest Sony Tuckson]

Belgium started camouflaging its F-104's in 1967

 

F-84F a few years earlier, with NATO scheme, then SEA scheme

[JediMaster 451]

Yeah, that was back when they were more worried about being seen by a plane from above. Now they realize that the plane being co-alt with you is a bit more likely.

[+drdoyo 2]

There is another aspect that having been a sheetmetal mechanic/painter in the ANG that few are knowlegeable about. The paint used since the mid 80s is formulated to reduce IR reflectivity of a surface. It was found as the IR missiles got better it was more and more likely they would pick up and home on reflections from the target's surface, as well as the heat generated by friction of the surface moving through the air. The paint manufacturers were contracted to change the paint to reduce the implied vulnerability of these signatures. This has led through the years to the current MilSpec of paints. The 1st FW at Langly is noted for their "Mod" grey camo pattern which they made from standard MilSpec colors by adding a cap-full of black per gallon to both colors. It was mentioned at a corrosion conference that I attended that this cap full of black was found to have changed the IR signature reduction properties greatly, and as a result Langly's painters were asked to stop the practice.

[+Soulfreak 6,524]

When did the USAF (and other NATO) countries start camouflaging their planes anyway? Always wondered why (and when) everyone gave up bare metal aircraft.

West-German Air Force started in 1962

But not all. The 104s flew in the early years in bare metal & in Camo.

also the T-33As, Fouga Magisters, F-84Fs & the RF-84Fs.

the German ginas oly were the camo-sheme.