2013 RAF Tucano Display Scheme Revealed

[CoffmanStarter]

All ...

Plans for the paint scheme for the 2013 Royal Air Force Tucano Display aircraft have been revealed by 72(R) Sqn at RAF Linton on Ouse.

The 2013 airshow season coincides with the 70th anniversary of 72 Squadron’s involvement in North Africa, in support of the Tunisian campaign during World War II, and 72 Squadron also assisted the Allied 8th Army as it advanced through Italy and France, whilst it was based out of Malta and Sicily. During this period, 72 Squadron flew the Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb, Mk Vc, Mk VIII, and Mk IX; a number of which were painted in Mediterranean Camouflage (Dark Earth, Middle Stone and Azure Blue), which was used to better conceal the aircraft in the more tropical climates of North Africa and Southern Europe.

http://www.globalaviationresource.com/reports/2013/airshows-uk-2013-raf-tucano-display-scheme-revealed/images/4.jpg

More gen here ...

Global Aviation (http://www.globalaviationresource.com/reports/2013/airshows-uk-2013-raf-tucano-display-scheme-revealed/index.php#)

Best regards ...

Coff.

[dead_pan]

better conceal the aircraft in the more tropical climates of North Africa

Coincidence or prescience?

[orgASMic]

I like it. She needs a shark's mouth on the cowling and a couple of 20mm cannon to complete the look, but I think the studes will get a kick out of flying her once she goes back on the line.

[XV277]

But sharkmouths were 112 Squadron

[teeteringhead]

But 72's wartime Sqn Bigraph was "RN" and not "RA"! (Yes, of course I see what they've done and why)

And it certainly avoids confusion. One once saw an American publication - can't remember what - with photos of some 72 Sqn Spitfires, complete with RN markings. Problem was, the picture was captioned as "British Royal Navy Spitfires from the Fleet Air Arm". Doh!

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

72's wartime Sqn Bigraph was "RN" and not "RA"!


Didn't sqns change letters frequently during the war to confuse the Hun?

Good to see the old colour scheme resurrected - does the aircraft have yellow leading edges as per the wartime scheme?

[chuks]

Why the yellow leading edges, anyway?

[oldmansquipper]

Nice to see recycling is part of the MoDs ethos..;)

Perhaps this is one of the airframes being tarted up ....

Dramatic escape for RAF trainee pilot and instructor after it crash lands with wheels up | Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2259692/Dramatic-escape-RAF-trainee-pilot-instructor-crash-lands-wheels-up.html)

[Courtney Mil]

My understanding is that the yellow leading edges were to aid recognition head-on. RAF in North Africa also used red prop spinners for the same purpose.

[sycamore]

Could have been `gas cloud` indicators.

[Admin_Guru]

After hearing that Hawk, Tutor, King Air, Tornado have all been removed from the 2013 flying display season with no new displays it is refreshing to see that someone somewhere still believes in the value airshows bring. I know that recruiting is not an issue these days but showing taxpayers at first hand what their money is spent on is surely worth investing in and it is not as if we are overwhelmed with At Home days nowadays. My 2p FWIW.

[CoffmanStarter]

I agree ... a nice set of Sharks Gnashers would go down a treat ... even if it's not the right Squadron :ok:

http://lowres-picturecabinet.com.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/162/main/1/742926.jpg

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

the yellow leading edges were to aid recognition head-on


Absolutely right, and the Japanese did the same. Lucky really that we put the yellow on the outer leading edges and they went for inner leading edges...

[chiglet]

And the Luftwaffe did yellow nose and wing tips.... and sometimes tail units, as did the Americans,etc. I don't think that the Regina Aeronautica used yellow as a tactical marking/id aid, but I could be wrong

[CoffmanStarter]

Then along came Mr M3 a while later with his Dayglow Orange for peacetime training use ...

[Union Jack]

I don't think that the Regina Aeronautica used yellow as a tactical marking/id aid, but I could be wrong

You could indeed - unless of course you were making a very oblique reference to the Queen of the Skies .....:)

Jack

[Lightning Mate]

Talking of sharksmouths.....

http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/Lightning_29/SharksmouthX740_zps8ee06398.jpg

[CoffmanStarter]

Lightning Mate ... 5 Squadron and the Bosses F6 mount circa 1984 ?

[Ali Barber]

With apologies for taking the thread back to the original pic, shouldn't the A be more sloped? Corporate recognition and all that?