Belgium F-35A with full colour markings.

[Alf]

Credit to photo on Scramble.

https://www.scramble.nl/images/news/202 ... Martin.jpg

Belgium F-35A FL003 does not have the toned down version of national markings.

[roughcutter]

[binbrook87]

That's more like it! So why do the other nations not follow suit? I suppose it compromises the stealth characteristics being full colour?

[Gary]

First batch are staying in the US. There has been spottet talk the other will be standard subdued marking by the time the actual arrive at Florennes

[Vulcanone]

That's more like it! So why do the other nations not follow suit? I suppose it compromises the stealth characteristics being full colour?

Demark are doing full colour but barring special marks on Some USN/USMC jets I think everyone else is going with the grey National markings. Any one else know differently?

[Alf]

That's more like it! So why do the other nations not follow suit? I suppose it compromises the stealth characteristics being full colour?

Demark are doing full colour but barring special marks on Some USN/USMC jets I think everyone else is going with the grey National markings. Any one else know differently?

Some of the Alabama ANG F-35A have red tails.

https://theaviationist.com/2024/01/17/alabama-ang-f-35/

[Supra]

Can't really imagine that RAM Coating has to be Grey or that it cant be coloured? Clearly they already use light grey, mid grey & dark grey!

The last time I suggested there was no problem with a different coloured coating on these jets the baying derision was deafening, yet here we are!
As Radar doesn't operate on a colour spectrum & visual acquisition is less of a factor in BVR combat scenarios....Why not?

Yes, yes, I know there's no requirement to be painted pretty just for me.

[EGDR]

Can't really imagine that RAM Coating has to be Grey or that it cant be coloured? Clearly they already use light grey, mid grey & dark grey!

The last time I suggested there was no problem with a different coloured coating on these jets the baying derision was deafening, yet here we are!
As Radar doesn't operate on a colour spectrum & visual acquisition is less of a factor in BVR combat scenarios....Why not?

Yes, yes, I know there's no requirement to be painted pretty just for me.

Pigments are made of things that will increase the radar reflectiveness. No pigment, no colour.

The best colour for fighter aircraft as far as current camouflage preferences go is grey, so the coating has been developed in grey. Each different colour would require its own special development process, and even then might not be possible to produce with the same level of effectiveness as the standard grey. It isn't cost effective to develop all of this just so aircraft can have a splash of colour on them.

[Spook4]

Please note that Danish F-35As have the white of the roundels and flags replaced with a light grey. The have glass grey finishes contain metal particles which aren’t available in coloured paints.