A BEA Viscount had a mid-air collision with an Italian AF F-86 in 1958, a year or so before the "Red square" scheme was adopted.

I'm not aware of any link between the two events.

When did the "red square" scheme change? Or did it?
Was the shiny metal lower half at some time changed to a pale grey paint scheme? (like FB in Duxford museum)
If so, when, and why?

The Zagreb collision occured in 1976, red wings appeared in 1959.

It changed fairly early on (not sure of the exact date) in that the red square on the fin/rudder was made considerably bigger::

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....54773c4007.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....2b09d7d902.jpg

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.

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.

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.

Dixi, I'd forgotten about those! Why just Cale and not Dan-Dare or Laker?

Think the Vanguard looked great in the BEA schemes...

Distinctly remember BA BAC1-11s having fluorescent markings on the wingtips in the Landor livery. Stuck in my mind as always thought it looked unusual.

Dixi , despite the hi viz wing tips ..I seem to remember one of our S-111s taking the cab off a JCB at GLA ... Guessing the JCB was yellow ..

rgds condor .

Has anyone ever found an artists impression of a Fairey Rotordyne in BEA red square livery in colour ? I’ve found a couple in black and white.
Thanks

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....732d770752.jpg

http://www.redbackaviation.com/wp-co...yne-layout.jpg