The RAF 43 Sqdn Black Tornado F.3

[Unknown74]

I was was online looking through a few Aviation Websites when I came across an item/ article about the controversial paint scheme applied to the 43 Sqdn Tornado F.3 which I seem to remember the RAF Hierarchy disapproved of for some reason, could anyone remind me what the problem was with the scheme which I believe was banned from appearing at the Leuchars Airshow one year - which one I can't remember?

Once again could someone remind me why the scheme was frowned upon please?

[hedgerowops]

It was the Firebird one with the flames painted on it they thought people would ring up saying they had seen an aircraft on fire.

[blackhandgang17]

Believe it was because the sqn did not have permission from Strike Command as was to paint the jet all over black were only meant to do the spine and Fin.Aircraft was GF ZG757 and was the bosses aircraft.Another point was the Radome was painted black which did something to the radar waves as the paint was meant to reduce the power of the radar that’s why when the Gr1/4 started getting painted all over grey the radomes were still black until the paint was found not to effect the effectiveness of the radar

[Sparts99]

An all black F3 would've looked brilliant.

[ukmil]

it was black for a short period



But yes the Radar could not penetrate the gloss used on the radome, so the radome was replaced



But also, as already said, the Sqn did not have command permission so it was then repainted Grey, with the spine and fin left black

[gamecock]

It was 2006, I arrived on the squadron in the middle of the bun fight. Should have learned from 25 Sqn's similar error about 15 years earlier!

[Thunder]

How on Earth did no one know that painting the radome would affect the radar, that's why they're made of a dielectric material with 'DO NOT PAINT' written on them.

[iainpeden]

TTTE also had a black Tornado (maybe 2) with a painted radome - maybe the air defence radar was more susceptible to blocking than whatever the GR1 had in the nose (Don't say concrete - that was the F.2)
(16 had a black Tornado and a black Buccaneer and 111 had Black Mike)

[Thunder]

Radomes were never painted. The Black on the GR1 was a composite material with a thin rubberised coating to protect the inner material.

[gamecock]

How on Earth did no one know

Who says they didn't?

[Contrail1958]

Paint will not effect Concrete.

[PA200]

But yes the Radar could not penetrate the gloss used on the radome, so the radome was replaced

Oh I think the RADAR energy would penetrate the gloss paint, it just won't do a great deal for the RADAR performance or the radome for that matter.