F-22 paint job. Can anyone explain?

[scribbler614]

Small matter of curiosity, which one of you clever types might explain.
The Raptor has this odd two-tone grey paint job, with darker blobs in the centre of the wings / tailplanes / fuselage.
Look....

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/images/AIR_F-22_Landing_lg.jpg

Did they save a few bob on cheap paint which hasn't dried in the middle? I suspect not.
Is it just a rather subtle form of disruptive cam? Or something clever to do with LO materials (which if so perhaps isn't for discussion here).
Do other aircraft have similar paint jobs and I just haven't noticed?
I may be straying into anorak/spotter territory, but it's been bugging me.

[BEagle]

Nothing really new - if you look here:

http://www.militaryaircraft.de/pictures/military/aircraft/F-15/F-15.html

you'll note that the F-15C has very similar markings (apart from the toned-down insignia).

[Polikarpov]

There's quite an interesting link in the flight testing forum (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=278257) to an article on the Boeing Bird of Prey demonstrator.

That has a similar shades-of-grey paintscheme (although it seems to be inverted, darker on the extremities) with the aim of "reducing the visual contrast of shadows from various parts of the airplane", making the thing harder to spot/track visually.

Looks like they've stopped painting cockpits on the underside of the aircraft? Maybe that was just a Hornet thing.

[scribbler614]

You're right, dammit Beagle.
Just good ol' disruptive camouflage, then?
Maybe I never spotted it before because it's so effective. Err...

[Dan Gerous]

Polikarpov, there were quite a few types with false cockpits painted on their undersides. I believe the US Navy started this scheme, and even went as far as painting false shadows to represent tails. The idea was to confuse the bad guy on your six, which unfortunately it seemed to do all to well. There were several near misses attributed to this, and the US Navy stopped doing it. The Canadian Hornets retained this marking throughout their time in Germany, and the A10 also had it. Even our Jags in GW1 had the nosewheel door painted black to represent a false cockpit.

[Double Zero]

The Harrier GR5 originally had a cockpit painted on the underside too.

You might be right thinking there's more to the F-22 and others than getting B&Q to supply the paint, if rumours of long ago are correct - if so, wouldn't do to discuss here but anyone can work it out...

Can't point you to any sites in particular but if interested there may be stuff on the 'net about various trials over the years to make aircraft less visible in daylight, ranging from actually lighting up dark areas to, well, think of how some lizards work...

[LowObservable]

I could tell you, but then I'd have to bill you.

[ORAC]

Hard to tell, what with this stealth technology to hide it... :cool: :p
http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/04/f22_montage.jpg http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/05/raptor4.jpg

[Green Flash]

Cloaking device, eh ORAC?

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!]

That's an old magicians trick to divert your attention to the wrong hand. It works too; can you see his wingman?





If that stuff creeps far enough forward, can it make you IMC? :8

[XV277]

The paint used on the F-22 (and MV-22) is rather different from the regular stuff. Almost pearlescent (Maybe they get it from Halfords)

Nothing in the public domain about it.:ok:

[cornish-stormrider]

I have found out the definative answer, George W was on a station visit and to keep him amused they gave him some crayons:E

[Kiwiconehead]

George W was on a station visit and to keep him amused they gave him some crayons

Nah - he would have just eaten them, and maybe stuck one up his nose.

[scribbler614]

Stormrider, nice one:ok:
XV277 - intriguing! I know enough to know there's no more to be said here.
Thanks for replies, all.

[XV277]

When I said 'nothing', that wasn't quite true:

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2000/news_release_000323n.htm

[buoy15]

Could be RAM paint
Awaiting all the goat jokes:ok: