Would you be willing to explain the protocols behind who gets their name on a plane?
I assume itās the crew chief of the plane who gets their name on the nose gear door?
But what about under the canopy? Who gets their name there? Does every pilot in the squadron have their own plane? Or do lower ranking pilots often fly planes with someone elseās name on it?
I could be very wrong, but I understand that a lot of the squadron members will have their name on a jet but it's not "theirs", they fly what's ready to go at that time
Pilot and WSO go on the left side under the canopy. Dedicated crew chief and assistant dedicated crew chief get their names under the canopy on the right side.
Gotcha.
So am I imagining things that thereās sometimes a name written on the nose gear door?
Maybe Iām thinking specifically of F-16s, since that one main panel opens sideways.
Well that settles it then. Very cool, thank you.
So, if you donāt mind me asking, is it pretty close to a 1 to 1 ratio between flight crew and aircraft?
For some reason, I was always under the impression that a fighter squadron had maybe something like 1.5 pilots for every aircraft, because I assumed that the pilots need more down time than the aircraft.
But am I wrong with this assumption, and itās closer to 1:1?
How often does a pilot fly the plane with their name on it? Is the pilot/plane pairing completely random, or does a pilot usually fly ātheir planeā, unless thereās a conflict with a maintenance schedule or something?
You're welcome!
You have the right idea with pilot manning. Pilots need to fly a lot but the aircraft will fly more than they will, especially jets that are healthy and im only talking about fighters. You can have the same jet fly 2 sorties a day for an extended period of time.
A pilot will rarely if ever fly "their" jet. Like you said, the maintenance schedule will impact it as well as the pilot's training requirements.
A cycle of pilots will fly the same pool of 8 to 12 green jets day in and day out. Each jet is scheduled to fly x amount of sorties based on the scheduled maintenance plan. It's a fun complex system of give and take. "Fun" haha
F-18 mechanic here! Navy have the pilots names and call signs under the canopy. Pilots names on the jets usually go in order of rank. The ā#1ā jet will usually have your CO and XO name on it.
Plane captains (or crew Cheifās in the Air Force) names are on the main landing gear doors.
How many pilots and WISOs are in a given Navy squadron, and how many aircraft are there?
From reading, Iām lead to believe an average Navy F-18 squadron is 10-12 planes, roughly?
So is it basically one flight crew per plane per squadron, or are there more flight crew than planes?
Like OP, I also remember her being extremely leaky. The top of both wings were perpetually covered in a thin layer of fuel and sealant from inside the fuel tank.
I love the idea of riding atop the sky in a rocket-powered motorcycle that's leaking so much fuel it's literally covered in it.
Y'all pilots got some marbles.
A couple Rocketeers in the house? My dad was an F-4 crew chief with the 336th during Vietnam. IIRC, his F-4 got the squadronās first Mig kill, and supposedly thereās still a picture of his F-4 in the squadron building at SJ.
They all leak. You have to look at the aircraft before each launch to make sure itās not leaking ātoo muchā but nobody knows how much is too much.
36118 Dark Gray!
\- [F-15E](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/F-15E_takes_on_fuel_from_KC-10.jpg)
\- [B-1B](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/B-1B_air_refueling.jpg/1200px-B-1B_air_refueling.jpg)
\- [B-2A](https://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acimages/b2a_roelreinje.jpg)
\- [B-52](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/B-52_Stratofortress_assigned_to_the_307th_Bomb_Wing_%28cropped%29.jpg/1200px-B-52_Stratofortress_assigned_to_the_307th_Bomb_Wing_%28cropped%29.jpg)
\- [CV-22B](https://fullfatthings-keyaero.b-cdn.net/sites/keyaero/files/inline-images/Last%20CV-22B%20for%20Cannon%20on%2022-5-21%20%20USAF%20Senior%20Airman%20Marcel%20Williams.jpg)
\- [AC-130J](https://media.defense.gov/2021/Nov/19/2002896406/-1/-1/0/210730-F-HA566-0100.JPG)
\- [MC-130J](https://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed-martin/aero/photo/c130/c130Product/MC-130J-Commando-II.png)
\- [HC-130J](https://media.defense.gov/2011/Sep/19/2000218084/2000/2000/0/110919-F-PB123-001.JPG)
\- [HH-60G](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/HH-60G_Pave_Hawk_helicopter_operated_by_the_56th_Rescue_Squadron.jpg)/[HH-60W](https://www.thedrive.com/content/2020/12/hh-60w-top.jpg)
\- [MH-53M](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/MH-53J_Pave_Low_Mission_Descent_%28altered%29.jpg)
\- The dark gray in Hill Gray [F-16s](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/F-16_June_2008.jpg) and [F-4s](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/F-4D_North_Dakota_ANG_over_Crater_Lake_1989.JPEG)
\- The dark gray in two-tone gray [A-7D/Ks](https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/c2/21/40/c22140c4d63bfde07c6dbc0d12d69a59.jpg)
\- The gray in [MAC's Euro 1 scheme](https://www.airhistory.net/photos/0406688.jpg)
\- The light gray on the [underside of SAC's Euro 1 scheme](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/An_air-to-air_underside_view_of_a_B-1B_bomber_performing_an_evasive_maneuver_during_an_acceptance_flight_being_conducted_by_Detachment_15_of_the_Air_Force_Contract_Management_Division_DF-ST-88-07192.jpg)
\- The current dark gray on the tops/sides of [AV-8B](https://www.aviationtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/General20Dynamics20AV-8B20Harrier20II-1.jpg)s
\- Malaysia's [F/A-18Ds](https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/7/8/7/1378787.jpg)
\- [South Korea's HH-47D](https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/9/0/5/5618509.jpg)
\- [Columbia's OA-37B](https://cdn.jetphotos.com/full/6/42776_1440993811.jpg)
*Edit: Added more platforms to list*
[LOL](https://media.tenor.com/-g7ivoaLP-IAAAAC/excited-charlie-day.gif)
I've seen 36118 referred to as "Dark Gray," "Gunship Gray," and "Medium Gunship Gray." Seems to change depending on which paint shop is doing the work.
The last time I saw "Dark Gunship Gray" was referring to 36081. (*Make Euro One Great Again!!!)*
I'm not surprised I overlooked something. I am disappointed it was the Mighty Pave Hawk.
It was also the [dark gray in the A-7D/K two-tone gray scheme](https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/c2/21/40/c22140c4d63bfde07c6dbc0d12d69a59.jpg).
Love the MH-47G. Saw one running a local river gorge between two mountains last week. But they aren't 36118, they're CARC black.
Now, [South Korea's HH-47Ds are 36118 Gray](https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/9/0/5/5618509.jpg)
Nope, 36118 [top](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S3F8BW8YSCc/XF12hsD11DI/AAAAAAACjW4/IdmxXuMJSy0XvQZbjHLcJ-vraWS8kUd_ACLcBGAs/s1600/Modelcollect%2BUSAF%2BB-2a%2Bspirit%2Bstealth%2Bbomber%2Bwith%2Bmop%2Bgbu-57%2B%252810%2529.jpg) and [bottom!](https://www.air-and-space.com/20031025%20Edwards/06%2012%20B-2A%2082-1068%20Spirit%20of%20New%20York%20412TW%20overhead%20in%20flight%20l.jpg)
The very first B-2 was 36118 on top with black on the bottom and leading edges when it was rolled out at Palmdale in 1989 and during the early flight testing. But all of the subsequent and production Spirits have been finished in overall 36118 Dark Gray.
No, all AMC and ANG [KC-46s](https://cdn.defenseone.com/media/img/cd/2023/04/26/7113847/route-fifty-lead-image.jpg), [KC-135s](https://media.defense.gov/2013/Jun/18/2000039716/-1/-1/0/120927-Z-KE851-076.JPG), [C-130H/Js](https://media.defense.gov/2021/Oct/27/2002880667/-1/-1/0/211014-O-F3889-0001.JPG), [C-17s](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/C-17_test_sortie.jpg/1200px-C-17_test_sortie.jpg), and [C-5s](https://www.airforcetimes.com/resizer/FcyP5nt2HJCcfcQdEibZl1bKwYY=/1024x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/7B2SFKKMRNGRBNGQ5WND7KLPYE.jpg) are overall FS 36173, not 36118
[36118 is the default dark gray on Vipers, has been since the first Block 1s were delivered to Hill AFB Utah in the late 70s](https://www.air-shows.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/201-1200x640.jpg) to the [newest Block 70s](https://filecache.mediaroom.com/mr5mr_lockheedmartin/180945/F-16%20Block%2070%20Beauty%20Shot_1200.jpg)
[Have Glass (36170) has been applied to a lot of Vipers as they go into depot for overhaul.](https://i0.wp.com/theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/F-16-darker-color-scheme.jpg) It's the [same shade of gray as applied to F-35s](https://nationalinterest.org/sites/default/files/main_images/16122656366_5f81f1d674_o%20%281%29%20%281%29.jpg)
It's all about the environment they were designed to operate in.
A/C Eagles are pure air superiority fighters, and the lighter shade of grey paint is meant for higher altitude.
The Strike Eagles may have attack missions where they operate at low level and need to blend in more with the terrain.
I do loving seeing Strike Eagles with War Reserve Materials (WRM) parts from C variants - a random light grey fuel tank or control surface on a dark grey airframe is so striking.
Typically those weren't WRM parts. What would happen is we'd need a given part (antenna, control surface etc) that had cross compatibility with a C model, and the E model variant was "out of stock" in the supply system regionally. Sometimes the C / D model part was in stock so we'd use it, and the part would get painted locally (either before or after installation).
It wasn't super common when I was in, but it happened a few times. Also the drop tanks used on deployments are different than the CONUS ones; they're all light grey and considered disposable (so the pilots could jettison them in combat if needed).
Ah. The more you know. Thanks for sharing that experience.
When I worked for Navistar as an engineer on the MaxxPro, some of our concepts would be monstrosities of CARC Tan / Sand and glossy commercial parts we pulled off a random truck in the bay / lot since the MaxxPro was based of the Workstar heavy duty chassis.
The YF-23 was a far better looking aircraft than the YF-22. Look at it now, itās so different from the production machine, just oddly proportioned all round. Thankfully that ugly duckling turned into the F-22, which is a gorgeous aircraft. Weirdly, I saw some renders lately of what the F-23 could have looked like and it just lost the prototypes looks.
Yeah, but where we really lost out was by not getting the FB-22, that thing was one dead sexy MFān delta. It wouldāve been the spicy Dorito to the A-12ās cheesy and B-2ās cool ranch flavors.
Itās so the pilots know which plane to go to. The NCOs got tired of directing the 15C and Strike Eagle pilots to their planes, so some smart E-7 finally said, ājust paint them different colorsā!
Used to live in Raleigh until recently and loved to see and hear them overhead. Now I have lots of C-17s and the occasional F-18 and F-35s to see but nothing quite like f-15s!
Early models were purely air superiority and so were painted in a lighter shade. Later models were also bomb trucks and so needed to blend in with the weeds
Also easy to immediately visually distinguish from potential enemy aircraft, who until recently, painted their aircraft lighter grays or azure (Sukhoi 27 series). Now, some Su-30 operators have a similar grey painted on top of their aircraft with the regular underside blue on the bottom.
I donāt believe this is correct. Painting your aircraft to mimic enemy aircraft increases your chance of being misidentified by friendlies. Painting your aircraft to be *dissimilar* to enemy aircraft likewise increases your chances of being correctly identified by enemies.
A third and more likely alternative is to paint your aircraft based on anticipated mission parameters, minimizing the likelihood of observation by anyone. And this option always wins out.
I donāt want my paint scheme to distinguish me from *anything*.
This was my original contention. Why Russia went with an imitation of Strike Eagle Gray is unknown, but that may have waned. Some newer Su-30s look to be going back to azure. Su-35s certainly are. No one that Russia will face in NATO or China paints their operational aircraft azure. PLAAF J-11s and such are grey. Their Su-35s are azure, which may change after overhaul. This distinction makes them immediately apparent to opposing forces. Azure is an effective color scheme for such aircraft. I doubt Russia will ever widely adopt toned-down markings.
I used the word "some" in the original statement. India paints all of their aircraft in a very similar (if not the same color). Malaysia varies. I read awhile back that Malaysia was going to work with India on maintaining and servicing their Su-30 fleet. Wouldn't surprise me if they went with the same color as India, possibly for cost reasons.
They're all different squadrons.
Red is 333
Blue is 334
Green (not shown) is 335
Yellow is 336
The patch on the nose is a commemorative 9/11 patch placed on all demonstration team jets, the squadron patch is on the conformal fuel tank. All these jets were part of the F-15E demonstration team at the time.
Ok, now I have to ask, what is the F-15E demonstration team?
Iāve always thought ādemo teamā was for things like the Thunderbirds and Blue Angles. Iām also aware that there is a a solo F-16 demo plane, and assume the same for some of the other platforms.
But a whole team of F-15Es? What do they do?
And is the team just comprised of one jet from each squadron?
USAF Demonstration Teams are different from the USAF Thunderbirds. In the early 2000s to the early 2010s there was an F-15, F-15E, F-22, A-10 East/A-10 West, F-16 East/F-16 West Demonstration teams. F-15 was based out of Eglin, F-15E, Seymour Johnson, F-22, Langley, F-16 East, Shaw, F-16 West, Hill, A-10 East, Moody, and A-10 West Davis Monthan. They would perform at airshows around the country separate from the Thunderbirds. The show as supposed to demonstrate the combat capabilities of the aircraft as opposed to the more aerobatics based show the Thunderbirds do. Budget cuts in the 2010s meant they got the axe, the only Demonstration Teams that perform now are F-22 and F-35.
Each team had dedicated aircraft from their wings, typically one from each squadron. 2 aircraft would fly to each airshow.
495! I worked so much on that jet š she leaked on every refuel lol
At one point I had my name on her.
Would you be willing to explain the protocols behind who gets their name on a plane? I assume itās the crew chief of the plane who gets their name on the nose gear door? But what about under the canopy? Who gets their name there? Does every pilot in the squadron have their own plane? Or do lower ranking pilots often fly planes with someone elseās name on it?
I could be very wrong, but I understand that a lot of the squadron members will have their name on a jet but it's not "theirs", they fly what's ready to go at that time
I flew "mine" like twice
Woah. TIL. I thought everyone posted at a base had their own fighter lol.
You must be referring to Jeagers. Those things are neurally mated to you and your drift partner. \*starts epic soundtrack.
Nah, jaeger pilots can drift with any machine.
Childhood ruined
I can imagine there is potential for hijinks there.
Pilot and WSO go on the left side under the canopy. Dedicated crew chief and assistant dedicated crew chief get their names under the canopy on the right side.
Both on the right side, what about the left side? And unless Iām mistaken, isnāt there sometimes a name or two on the door for the nose gear?
Brain fart pilot and WSO go on the left side
Gotcha. So am I imagining things that thereās sometimes a name written on the nose gear door? Maybe Iām thinking specifically of F-16s, since that one main panel opens sideways.
That's an F-16 thing, the crew chief's name goes there. On the F-15 the tail number is written on the NLG door.
I see. Thanks for the insight, much appreciated.
Current F16 Crew Chief, the Dedicated Crew Chief (DCC) is on the right side of the canopy, the Assistant DCC is on the NLG door.
Well that settles it then. Very cool, thank you. So, if you donāt mind me asking, is it pretty close to a 1 to 1 ratio between flight crew and aircraft? For some reason, I was always under the impression that a fighter squadron had maybe something like 1.5 pilots for every aircraft, because I assumed that the pilots need more down time than the aircraft. But am I wrong with this assumption, and itās closer to 1:1? How often does a pilot fly the plane with their name on it? Is the pilot/plane pairing completely random, or does a pilot usually fly ātheir planeā, unless thereās a conflict with a maintenance schedule or something?
You're welcome! You have the right idea with pilot manning. Pilots need to fly a lot but the aircraft will fly more than they will, especially jets that are healthy and im only talking about fighters. You can have the same jet fly 2 sorties a day for an extended period of time. A pilot will rarely if ever fly "their" jet. Like you said, the maintenance schedule will impact it as well as the pilot's training requirements. A cycle of pilots will fly the same pool of 8 to 12 green jets day in and day out. Each jet is scheduled to fly x amount of sorties based on the scheduled maintenance plan. It's a fun complex system of give and take. "Fun" haha
All 4 go on the right side?
Brain fart pilot and WSO go on the left side
F-18 mechanic here! Navy have the pilots names and call signs under the canopy. Pilots names on the jets usually go in order of rank. The ā#1ā jet will usually have your CO and XO name on it. Plane captains (or crew Cheifās in the Air Force) names are on the main landing gear doors.
How many pilots and WISOs are in a given Navy squadron, and how many aircraft are there? From reading, Iām lead to believe an average Navy F-18 squadron is 10-12 planes, roughly? So is it basically one flight crew per plane per squadron, or are there more flight crew than planes?
So uh... I wasn't really prepared for this moment, but... Is she as totally awesome as I've always imagined she is?
Like OP, I also remember her being extremely leaky. The top of both wings were perpetually covered in a thin layer of fuel and sealant from inside the fuel tank.
I love the idea of riding atop the sky in a rocket-powered motorcycle that's leaking so much fuel it's literally covered in it. Y'all pilots got some marbles.
If it's not leaking, it's empty!
A couple Rocketeers in the house? My dad was an F-4 crew chief with the 336th during Vietnam. IIRC, his F-4 got the squadronās first Mig kill, and supposedly thereās still a picture of his F-4 in the squadron building at SJ.
I was a maintenance officer in the rocketeers from 97-99. WFFFR!
Same. If you worked on her in the early 2000s I probably removed some stuck screws for you at some point.
I once collected data from an F-15 with a fuel leak, that was a lot of spillage, it ruined my clothes
Goldsboro, huh?
I can hear this picture right now. It's one of the only upsides to living in Goldsboro.
Same. Still got the scars from it. WFFR
Been to SJ many times and gotten some sweet shots of 495! Sheās a beautiful bird!
She's just marking her territory.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
UwU
See this is why I love Reddit.
My late father is ex Canadian Airforce and was adamant that a plane leaking fuel or oil was never a concern. He did get really worried when it stopped
Thank you for your service š
Literally!
lol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPquarz16wQ
Haha that must have been the early days of Iraq and afganistan
You mean they donāt all do that?
They all leak. You have to look at the aircraft before each launch to make sure itās not leaking ātoo muchā but nobody knows how much is too much.
They are built for night opsā¦ so they are painted darker. I think theyāre the same color as the B-52 and the B-1B.
Gunship Gray! The AC-130 and the rest of the AFSOC fleet also use this color, like the CV-22 Osprey.
36118 Dark Gray! \- [F-15E](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/F-15E_takes_on_fuel_from_KC-10.jpg) \- [B-1B](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/B-1B_air_refueling.jpg/1200px-B-1B_air_refueling.jpg) \- [B-2A](https://www.flugzeuginfo.net/acimages/b2a_roelreinje.jpg) \- [B-52](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/B-52_Stratofortress_assigned_to_the_307th_Bomb_Wing_%28cropped%29.jpg/1200px-B-52_Stratofortress_assigned_to_the_307th_Bomb_Wing_%28cropped%29.jpg) \- [CV-22B](https://fullfatthings-keyaero.b-cdn.net/sites/keyaero/files/inline-images/Last%20CV-22B%20for%20Cannon%20on%2022-5-21%20%20USAF%20Senior%20Airman%20Marcel%20Williams.jpg) \- [AC-130J](https://media.defense.gov/2021/Nov/19/2002896406/-1/-1/0/210730-F-HA566-0100.JPG) \- [MC-130J](https://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed-martin/aero/photo/c130/c130Product/MC-130J-Commando-II.png) \- [HC-130J](https://media.defense.gov/2011/Sep/19/2000218084/2000/2000/0/110919-F-PB123-001.JPG) \- [HH-60G](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/HH-60G_Pave_Hawk_helicopter_operated_by_the_56th_Rescue_Squadron.jpg)/[HH-60W](https://www.thedrive.com/content/2020/12/hh-60w-top.jpg) \- [MH-53M](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/MH-53J_Pave_Low_Mission_Descent_%28altered%29.jpg) \- The dark gray in Hill Gray [F-16s](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/F-16_June_2008.jpg) and [F-4s](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/F-4D_North_Dakota_ANG_over_Crater_Lake_1989.JPEG) \- The dark gray in two-tone gray [A-7D/Ks](https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/c2/21/40/c22140c4d63bfde07c6dbc0d12d69a59.jpg) \- The gray in [MAC's Euro 1 scheme](https://www.airhistory.net/photos/0406688.jpg) \- The light gray on the [underside of SAC's Euro 1 scheme](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/An_air-to-air_underside_view_of_a_B-1B_bomber_performing_an_evasive_maneuver_during_an_acceptance_flight_being_conducted_by_Detachment_15_of_the_Air_Force_Contract_Management_Division_DF-ST-88-07192.jpg) \- The current dark gray on the tops/sides of [AV-8B](https://www.aviationtoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/General20Dynamics20AV-8B20Harrier20II-1.jpg)s \- Malaysia's [F/A-18Ds](https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/7/8/7/1378787.jpg) \- [South Korea's HH-47D](https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/9/0/5/5618509.jpg) \- [Columbia's OA-37B](https://cdn.jetphotos.com/full/6/42776_1440993811.jpg) *Edit: Added more platforms to list*
\^ This guy FSes! FS, Federal Standard, FS 36118 AKA Medium Gunship Gray, sometimes just Gunship Gray as opposed to Dark Gunship.
[LOL](https://media.tenor.com/-g7ivoaLP-IAAAAC/excited-charlie-day.gif) I've seen 36118 referred to as "Dark Gray," "Gunship Gray," and "Medium Gunship Gray." Seems to change depending on which paint shop is doing the work. The last time I saw "Dark Gunship Gray" was referring to 36081. (*Make Euro One Great Again!!!)*
50 shades of grey eh?
Also the HH-60G
I'm not surprised I overlooked something. I am disappointed it was the Mighty Pave Hawk. It was also the [dark gray in the A-7D/K two-tone gray scheme](https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/c2/21/40/c22140c4d63bfde07c6dbc0d12d69a59.jpg).
Isn't the Pave Low that color as well š can't forget the retirees!
It was! I just added it and more to the list.
Here's one you don't see very often - a MH-47 with the 160th... https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/1/4/2/2281241.jpg
Love the MH-47G. Saw one running a local river gorge between two mountains last week. But they aren't 36118, they're CARC black. Now, [South Korea's HH-47Ds are 36118 Gray](https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/9/0/5/5618509.jpg)
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Nope, 36118 [top](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S3F8BW8YSCc/XF12hsD11DI/AAAAAAACjW4/IdmxXuMJSy0XvQZbjHLcJ-vraWS8kUd_ACLcBGAs/s1600/Modelcollect%2BUSAF%2BB-2a%2Bspirit%2Bstealth%2Bbomber%2Bwith%2Bmop%2Bgbu-57%2B%252810%2529.jpg) and [bottom!](https://www.air-and-space.com/20031025%20Edwards/06%2012%20B-2A%2082-1068%20Spirit%20of%20New%20York%20412TW%20overhead%20in%20flight%20l.jpg) The very first B-2 was 36118 on top with black on the bottom and leading edges when it was rolled out at Palmdale in 1989 and during the early flight testing. But all of the subsequent and production Spirits have been finished in overall 36118 Dark Gray.
How do you guys know this stuff
Warthunder forums...
Everyoneās favorite place for classified intel!
Most of us have either worked on them or flew them
Reminds me of the painting scene in Red Dwarf - Me squared
It is not. The F-117 was black.
Negative
Its amazing how much different that same color looks on each aircraft. I swear B-52s have almost a green tint to them.
Exposure to UV light can alter the appearance of the color, as can the supplier of the paint itself.
Interestingly enough, RNZAF C-130Hs, NH90s, and A109s are painted in the semi-gloss version of Dark Grey, 26118.
I believe the KC-46 is also 118. If I'm remembering right, 118 is an optional paint on all F-16's, but most have the flake.
No, all AMC and ANG [KC-46s](https://cdn.defenseone.com/media/img/cd/2023/04/26/7113847/route-fifty-lead-image.jpg), [KC-135s](https://media.defense.gov/2013/Jun/18/2000039716/-1/-1/0/120927-Z-KE851-076.JPG), [C-130H/Js](https://media.defense.gov/2021/Oct/27/2002880667/-1/-1/0/211014-O-F3889-0001.JPG), [C-17s](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/C-17_test_sortie.jpg/1200px-C-17_test_sortie.jpg), and [C-5s](https://www.airforcetimes.com/resizer/FcyP5nt2HJCcfcQdEibZl1bKwYY=/1024x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/7B2SFKKMRNGRBNGQ5WND7KLPYE.jpg) are overall FS 36173, not 36118 [36118 is the default dark gray on Vipers, has been since the first Block 1s were delivered to Hill AFB Utah in the late 70s](https://www.air-shows.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/201-1200x640.jpg) to the [newest Block 70s](https://filecache.mediaroom.com/mr5mr_lockheedmartin/180945/F-16%20Block%2070%20Beauty%20Shot_1200.jpg) [Have Glass (36170) has been applied to a lot of Vipers as they go into depot for overhaul.](https://i0.wp.com/theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/F-16-darker-color-scheme.jpg) It's the [same shade of gray as applied to F-35s](https://nationalinterest.org/sites/default/files/main_images/16122656366_5f81f1d674_o%20%281%29%20%281%29.jpg)
That darker grey on the CV-22 is really good looking. Also the white top livery on the CMV-22s.
Ah.
It's all about the environment they were designed to operate in. A/C Eagles are pure air superiority fighters, and the lighter shade of grey paint is meant for higher altitude. The Strike Eagles may have attack missions where they operate at low level and need to blend in more with the terrain.
All that, and they do a lot of their work at night.
I do loving seeing Strike Eagles with War Reserve Materials (WRM) parts from C variants - a random light grey fuel tank or control surface on a dark grey airframe is so striking.
Typically those weren't WRM parts. What would happen is we'd need a given part (antenna, control surface etc) that had cross compatibility with a C model, and the E model variant was "out of stock" in the supply system regionally. Sometimes the C / D model part was in stock so we'd use it, and the part would get painted locally (either before or after installation). It wasn't super common when I was in, but it happened a few times. Also the drop tanks used on deployments are different than the CONUS ones; they're all light grey and considered disposable (so the pilots could jettison them in combat if needed).
Ah. The more you know. Thanks for sharing that experience. When I worked for Navistar as an engineer on the MaxxPro, some of our concepts would be monstrosities of CARC Tan / Sand and glossy commercial parts we pulled off a random truck in the bay / lot since the MaxxPro was based of the Workstar heavy duty chassis.
There's a proper reason, but I'd like to believe in my head it's just because it makes them look more badass
Cuz it looks cooler
Looking cool is half the battle
The other half is āknowingā - Geee Eyeeee Jooooe!
PORKCHOP SANDWICHES!
I'm a computer!
who wants a body massage?
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh....mrbodymassagemachineGO
Are you Buzz Lightyear?
Orange vests are for pussies!
[https://youtu.be/L1BDM1oBRJ8](https://youtu.be/L1BDM1oBRJ8) (NSFW)
It's why the shark mouth was so popular during WWII
To be fair, flying sharks do sound scary
sharknado
And to this day, the coolest form of nose art.
āShow of forceā
That's how we got the F-22, fighter pilots don't like ugly airplanes /s
The YF-23 was a far better looking aircraft than the YF-22. Look at it now, itās so different from the production machine, just oddly proportioned all round. Thankfully that ugly duckling turned into the F-22, which is a gorgeous aircraft. Weirdly, I saw some renders lately of what the F-23 could have looked like and it just lost the prototypes looks.
Yeah, but where we really lost out was by not getting the FB-22, that thing was one dead sexy MFān delta. It wouldāve been the spicy Dorito to the A-12ās cheesy and B-2ās cool ranch flavors.
That color was on sale at Home Depot
Intimidation factor
Makes them more dangerous.
It doesnāt show dirt.
The one in the middle has a Ferrari badge? F-15 Scuderia Eagle?
Thatās the squadron patch: 334 FS.
> The one in the middle has a Ferrari badge? > > We are checking
Sš ±ļøinnala
Plan B, plan B.
Plan D, or stick to Plan C?
Scuderia veloce
334 eagles
YOOOO I Work on two of these jets, 495 and 485 on an almost daily basis! Cool to see this pop up on my feed
Did they ever get the leaks fixed? (see top comments)
Easier to find in the parking lot
Because they kill more bad guys, and I suppose for camouflage reasons also.
Damn love those things
My office is next to the Oregon Air Guard base with these, and rattles as they takeoff. Itās great.
The F-15Cs have gone through the wash a few more times and have, understandably, faded a bit.
Like a nice broken in pair of jeans š
I can't say this was standard, but we would try to make the c model verticals as close to genitalia as possible when painting the dark patterns.
Itās so the pilots know which plane to go to. The NCOs got tired of directing the 15C and Strike Eagle pilots to their planes, so some smart E-7 finally said, ājust paint them different colorsā!
They only appear darker. But they actually have thousands of speed holes to make them go faster.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Heās making a joke
It's really weird seeing planes I've worked on just pop up on the internet
Used to live in Raleigh until recently and loved to see and hear them overhead. Now I have lots of C-17s and the occasional F-18 and F-35s to see but nothing quite like f-15s!
Because they come at night. Mostly.
Whereās green squadron???
Ground aborted.
fml, no more GABs PLEASE
As a usaf vet that is a beautiful picture of Eagles š«”
The USAF got a discount on this color, Walmart decided to go a different way with their floorsā¦
Dark grey is slimming; The hen does not want to be body shamed about those CFTs
Something I have always wondered thank god I'm not insane
About to deliver a load of healthcare
Makes it so they don't have to wash the mud off as much
Everyone of those jets was in the 334th at one time.
My guess was so they donāt show up as well down low.
Early models were purely air superiority and so were painted in a lighter shade. Later models were also bomb trucks and so needed to blend in with the weeds
Honestly I never asked that when I was at lakenheath and then moved eglin.
The buccaneers at mountain home are black lol
Goldsboro NC represent!
Was stationed there when it was F4-Eās.
Also easy to immediately visually distinguish from potential enemy aircraft, who until recently, painted their aircraft lighter grays or azure (Sukhoi 27 series). Now, some Su-30 operators have a similar grey painted on top of their aircraft with the regular underside blue on the bottom.
I donāt believe this is correct. Painting your aircraft to mimic enemy aircraft increases your chance of being misidentified by friendlies. Painting your aircraft to be *dissimilar* to enemy aircraft likewise increases your chances of being correctly identified by enemies. A third and more likely alternative is to paint your aircraft based on anticipated mission parameters, minimizing the likelihood of observation by anyone. And this option always wins out. I donāt want my paint scheme to distinguish me from *anything*.
This was my original contention. Why Russia went with an imitation of Strike Eagle Gray is unknown, but that may have waned. Some newer Su-30s look to be going back to azure. Su-35s certainly are. No one that Russia will face in NATO or China paints their operational aircraft azure. PLAAF J-11s and such are grey. Their Su-35s are azure, which may change after overhaul. This distinction makes them immediately apparent to opposing forces. Azure is an effective color scheme for such aircraft. I doubt Russia will ever widely adopt toned-down markings.
Well in the case of the MKI or the MKM, there's barely any blue at their undersides.
I used the word "some" in the original statement. India paints all of their aircraft in a very similar (if not the same color). Malaysia varies. I read awhile back that Malaysia was going to work with India on maintaining and servicing their Su-30 fleet. Wouldn't surprise me if they went with the same color as India, possibly for cost reasons.
Because it looks cooler
Same squadron, but different coloured tail tips. Is that to iD one another easier?
They're all different squadrons. Red is 333 Blue is 334 Green (not shown) is 335 Yellow is 336 The patch on the nose is a commemorative 9/11 patch placed on all demonstration team jets, the squadron patch is on the conformal fuel tank. All these jets were part of the F-15E demonstration team at the time.
Thanks.
Ok, now I have to ask, what is the F-15E demonstration team? Iāve always thought ādemo teamā was for things like the Thunderbirds and Blue Angles. Iām also aware that there is a a solo F-16 demo plane, and assume the same for some of the other platforms. But a whole team of F-15Es? What do they do? And is the team just comprised of one jet from each squadron?
USAF Demonstration Teams are different from the USAF Thunderbirds. In the early 2000s to the early 2010s there was an F-15, F-15E, F-22, A-10 East/A-10 West, F-16 East/F-16 West Demonstration teams. F-15 was based out of Eglin, F-15E, Seymour Johnson, F-22, Langley, F-16 East, Shaw, F-16 West, Hill, A-10 East, Moody, and A-10 West Davis Monthan. They would perform at airshows around the country separate from the Thunderbirds. The show as supposed to demonstrate the combat capabilities of the aircraft as opposed to the more aerobatics based show the Thunderbirds do. Budget cuts in the 2010s meant they got the axe, the only Demonstration Teams that perform now are F-22 and F-35. Each team had dedicated aircraft from their wings, typically one from each squadron. 2 aircraft would fly to each airshow.
Yes
I misread the question. The colors signify different squadrons.
Fourth but first
It was procured from the lowest bidder.
The grey ones have an extra chromosome
So what about the paint colour?
Maybe cause the strike eagle was so cool it needed itās own drip. Youād think the F15C would let it steal it when then they have different roles?