B.E.A. Red square colour scheme
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Reading, UK
Posts: 12,796
Originally Posted by pax britanica
Didn't the red wings come about as a hi-viz measure after a tragic mid air somewhere in Turkey or Yugoslavia, have a vague memory it was something to with that.
I'm not aware of any link between the two events.
Join Date: Aug 1998
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,965
Originally Posted by pax britanica
Didnt the red wings come about as a hi-viz measure after a tragic mid air somewhere in Turkey or Yugoslavia, have a vague memory it was something to with that .
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Reading, UK
Posts: 12,796
Originally Posted by jaytee54
When did the "red square" scheme change? Or did it?
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Dorset
Posts: 361
I always thought the red wings were introduced after the Munich / Manchester United accident to improve pilots' ability to spot surface contamination. I can't remember where I'd read or heard this, but the timing of their introduction in 1959 stated above ties in with the aftermath of the Munich Elizabethan accident in 1958. Could be purely coincidental - and the Viscount / F86 mid-air collision in Italy was later in 1958 as well.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: by the seaside
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On a side note around 20 years ago the GSA...(UK military gliding association) did a trial with two crews and two aircraft one of which had dayglow orange anti collision markings no doubt brought on by the requirement for gliders rock polishing in the french alps. The test under radar showed very little difference and iirc favoured the non marked up aircraft being viewed earlier. The crews were interchanged between aircraft.
It was suggested that the eye/brain recognises danger by shape and by breaking up the shape with colour flashes was a form of camouflage hence the derogatory effect.
The french subsequently brought in the requirement for flarm.
It was suggested that the eye/brain recognises danger by shape and by breaking up the shape with colour flashes was a form of camouflage hence the derogatory effect.
The french subsequently brought in the requirement for flarm.
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Dorset UK
Age: 67
Posts: 1,257
Thread drift.
Back in about 1981 at BCAL Gatwick, the BAC1-11s were getting the wingtips hit by Transit vans quite regularly, so it was decided to paint the wingtips dayglo orange.
The first such painted aircraft left the hangar on a Friday. I came to work on the following Monday to see that aircraft in the hangar having a wingtip changed due to Transit van damage.
It seemed that now bright dayglo, the wingtip could not be missed.
Back in about 1981 at BCAL Gatwick, the BAC1-11s were getting the wingtips hit by Transit vans quite regularly, so it was decided to paint the wingtips dayglo orange.
The first such painted aircraft left the hangar on a Friday. I came to work on the following Monday to see that aircraft in the hangar having a wingtip changed due to Transit van damage.
It seemed that now bright dayglo, the wingtip could not be missed.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Reading, UK
Posts: 12,796
