Stealth VC10

[Skeleton]

I know we are short of cash but a stealth VC10 instead of a B1B..... come on

[FJJP]

...and the thinking behind this is?

[or is it blindingly obvious?]

[Razor61]

It was reported leaving Cambridge (Marshalls) like this with parts of the wing still in the usual 'primer' colour.

It was also said that this could be a new type of Primer before it is painted 'grey'.

Edit: Sorry, the link is advertising. PPP

[Onan the Clumsy]

I just see a hangar, some tarmac and a few posts in the foreground. Am I missing something?

[Darth Nigel]

I'm hoping that it is a newer version of Funbus Mk1 -- t'would be appropriate!

[joe2812]

Think how many bunnies you'd get in there!

[Art Field]

If it is a primer it is interesting to note that the roundals and tail markings are already on. No Tanker markings though.

[Razor61]

I noticed the roundels too, but was only going by what was said on the site i put up.

Can only think of two other things and they are Hi-Vis trial or painted black for the same reason the Typhoon was.... but then i can't think why a VC-10 would be doing either.

[BEagle]

National markings are a legal obligation, tanker markings aren't. Whenever we flew partly painted a/c in primer (or even in bare metal) after air tests to whichever was the latest cheapo place the gingerbeers had discovered for the 'real' repaint, roundels and registrations were applied.

I'm not sure, Art F, but were the a/c still repainted at StAthan/Brize/Abingdon when you left the fleet - or at Shat o' Roo?

Without the tanker markings, there were definite F700 restrictions on AAR.

This colour is a special purpose undercoat over which the normal John Major Grey will be applied, as far as I'm aware. I'm surprised to see it flying in that state though - unless KwintyKwoo are off to Las Vegas for more spurious 'hot weather trials', the Gulf not being quite hot enough for them at this time of year......??

[Anita Bush]

The black paint absorbs heat and makes the coal tar stored in the wings easier to burn.

[Navaleye]

Looks good though! I hope she looks as good on the inside as she does outside. I never got to fly in a VC10 and I wish I could.

[L1011GE]

Stealth or not we will hear it coming... then never see it leave (prob u/s)

[Skeleton]

Beagle are you saying you can't fly an military aircraft unless it has markings on it?

I never knew that.

I assumed it was just primer until I saw the markings, which is why I posted the pic... im intrigued.

[Onan the Clumsy]

Skeleton in an earlier thread, Fishead had this to say

From the "Rules concerning the Control of Wireless Telegraphy in Time of War and Air Warfare. "

Part II, Chapter 1, Article 3 states:


quote:
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Art. 3. A military aircraft must carry an exterior mark indicating its nationality and its military character.
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further articles go on to say:

quote:
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Art. 7. The exterior marks required by the above articles shall be affixed in such manner as to make it impossible for them to be altered during flight. They shall be as large as possible and shall be visible from above, from below and from either side.


Art. 8. The exterior marks required by the regulations in force in each State shall be brought without delay to the knowledge of all the other Powers.
Modifications made in time of peace in the regulations requiring exterior marks shall be brought to the knowledge of all the other Powers before being put in force.
Modifications made in such regulations at the outbreak or in course of hostilities shall be brought by each Power to the knowledge of all the other Powers as soon as possible and at the latest when they are communicated to its fighting forces.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Link to ICRC document

This comes under the definition of 'Hague Law' and so is 'Customary International Law', rather than being codifed...

[Skeleton]

Cheers Onan. Bit of an expense if there only on for a short while.

[Brain Potter]

L1011 GE

Perhaps if you paint your TriStars black we can then have a pot-to-kettle name calling contest about serviceability.

[Art Field]

Beags, picked up the first from Chateauroooo, lots of vino but the crew had to abstain, hangers on drank ours as well. I think the Frogs hoped we would not notice the flaws. Giving myself slap for spelling, roundals indeed.

[MrBernoulli]

Could it be anything to do with the hot weather trials for the new freon substitute in the aircon packs? You know, lets REALLY get the aircraft interior hot and confirm that the aircon is sh1te whether its got freon, something else or nothing at all in it!

[BEagle]

Not a problem in your nice 777, Mr B!

[bluetail]

The black will be a Primer, and it is not an uncommon maintenance task.

Nimrod '36 was painted in its trial Grey scheme from 1998 as part of the MRA 4 programme, I took her to Farnboro' that year

I digress

I have seen a pikky taken in the BA Paint shop at Heathrow,
36 was one of the last jets BA painted for the RAF and the aircraft was definately in Black Primer, it too looked pretty cool.

Not bad for the Funbus fleet though taking 7 years to catch up with the Kipper Fleet.