Odd tail stripe

[AndyB]

On 17th, whilst attempting to see the "SJ's" I noticed an odd F15 tail sticking up above buildings on the Alpha ramp. It was just the top half of the tail so the "LN" or "SJ" code was hidden. However, what was noticeable was that the red stripe was twice as large as normal . It did not have any white trimming and was a slightly lighter red. colour The best way of describing it is to say it was an MO tail stripe but without any additional markings (just the red stripe!). I first thought that it was the red tailed SJ but later reports show it as elsewhere. Any ideas?

[LN Strike Eagle]

One of the jets back from active duty I would suggest. Many of the jets deployed were borrowed from the 492FS and several of them appeared to have had the tail bands hand painted and/or 'customised' to show both red and blue banding.

There's a shot in here of 98-0131 with the red banding sans white borders - viewtopic.php?f=16&t=211907&p=1349695#p1349695

Edit - or possibly 90-0230 / SJ - viewtopic.php?f=16&t=212754

[AndyB]

Thanks. You could well be right. I hadn't thought of that.