jmel Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Some photos from a recent KC-135 flight with the 121st Air Refueling Wing from Columbus, Ohio. The scheduled receivers was a pair of 178FW Vipers. When I arrived to the base the morning of the flight, I was thrilled to learn that an additional 4-ship was due to come up. Enjoy the pictures. Jake Unfortunately, the LH escape hatch window was smeared with yuck, making any shots from it less-than-ideal. This jet is fresh from depot and a new paintjob. Note the addition of the AIFF antenna in front of the cockpit, part of the CUPID upgrade. This makes 4 178FW jets with these antenna now, right Mike? Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Terrific shots Jake That last one is so bright, clear and clean it looks like CGI :blink: Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 This jet is fresh from depot and a new paintjob. Note the addition of the AIFF antenna in front of the cockpit, part of the CUPID upgrade. This makes 4 178FW jets with these antenna now, right Mike? So that's why they look so new and have that nice shine on them. Always love that brand new look on a good looking plane. Link to post Share on other sites
jmel Posted December 8, 2006 Author Share Posted December 8, 2006 So that's why they look so new and have that nice shine on them. Well, that's just ANG, in general. Jake Link to post Share on other sites
Bill Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Thanks Jake. Outstanding pics. Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Sweet. Nice pics Jake. Assume these will be featured on your website? Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Excellent shots Jake. Thanks for posting, I always enjoy them. Link to post Share on other sites
VOODOO73 Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Good shots Thanks for posting Link to post Share on other sites
Koen L Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Very nice Jake, some of the best shots I've seen from you to date! Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Those photos are just exceptional. As mentioned above, those are some of the best you've ever posted here. Thanks for the shots. Link to post Share on other sites
CRASCA Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 (edited) THanks Jake! Stunning! Setting the bar, as usual. Craig Edited December 9, 2006 by CRASCA Link to post Share on other sites
RipVW Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 Really beautiful stuff Jake!! 30 years on and I've never had a tanker flight!! One of these days - maybe January . . . Thanks for posting - glad to see everyone got home safely! ATB - - Rip - Link to post Share on other sites
DutyCat Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 I notice there is no light/dark ghost gray demarkation on the forward fuselage or around the intakes. How long have they been doing that? Forgive my ignorance if they have been doing this for years. Link to post Share on other sites
jmel Posted December 9, 2006 Author Share Posted December 9, 2006 . Assume these will be featured on your website? Eventually. They are earmarked for other projects in the very near future, then I'll get some on my site as time permits. I added a few today, though. Very nice Jake, some of the best shots I've seen from you to date! Thanks, but, to be fair, with the lighting I had it would have been a challenge to not get nice shots. For once, the weather really cooperated. One of these days - maybe January . . . I've got something cooking for January while I'm down in your neck'o'thewoods. Maybe I can bring a friend.... I notice there is no light/dark ghost gray demarkation on the forward fuselage or around the intakes. How long have they been doing that? Forgive my ignorance if they have been doing this for years. It's been since around 1995. Thanks guys. I had a great time up there, and I'm glad the pictures are enjoyed here. Jake Link to post Share on other sites
jefropas Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 Jake, The rear cockpit on that D looks awful empty, I'm sure you were longing to trade seats.....Great pics as usual! Jeff Link to post Share on other sites
jcfay Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 I notice there is no light/dark ghost gray demarkation on the forward fuselage or around the intakes. How long have they been doing that? Forgive my ignorance if they have been doing this for years. What I'm noticing is that the lip of the intakes appear to be a different color. I thought they, like the entire undersides, were now painted neutral gray (FS 36270) as well. It almost looks like the lip of the intake is a dark gull or gunship? Any ideas? Great pic, BTW. Thanx - Jon Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 What I'm noticing is that the lip of the intakes appear to be a different color. I thought they, like the entire undersides, were now painted neutral gray (FS 36270) as well. It almost looks like the lip of the intake is a dark gull or gunship? Any ideas? That there's summa that 'special' paint.... (ignore the patch of bondo) ;) Link to post Share on other sites
jcfay Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 That there's summa that 'special' paint.... (ignore the patch of bondo) Special paint, huh. How so is it special? And it does look a different color, at least in a few of the photos. I've got a few "patches of bondo" on my 1/32 viper right now - of course they were unintentional! Link to post Share on other sites
jmel Posted December 9, 2006 Author Share Posted December 9, 2006 Special paint, huh. How so is it special? And it does look a different color, at least in a few of the photos. Hey, Jon. On most Vipers, the edge of the intake is a shade or two different than the surrounding paint. I'm guessing here, until the guys who work on the jets show up, but I think it is a radar-reflecting paint used to lower the jet's signature. Just my guess, so please don't hold me to it. Jake Link to post Share on other sites
migf4 Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 Thanks Jake for these outstanding pics.... :blink: These are absolutely stunning shots, especially the formation break away looks awesome :blink: A shame to see that empty backseat.... :blink: Cheers Mick Link to post Share on other sites
Guard Hog Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 Terrific shots, Jake! Glad the ride worked out for ya'! - Tom Link to post Share on other sites
DutyCat Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 What I'm noticing is that the lip of the intakes appear to be a different color. I thought they, like the entire undersides, were now painted neutral gray (FS 36270) as well. It almost looks like the lip of the intake is a dark gull or gunship? Any ideas? Neutral gray? Is the lighter gray is now neutral gray? It used to be light and dark ghost gray. What's up with that? Link to post Share on other sites
jcfay Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Neutral gray? Is the lighter gray is now neutral gray? It used to be light and dark ghost gray. What's up with that? Yup, neutral gray. As stated above, the former 3 tone scheme (that I think involved light ghost, but I'm not sure if it used to involve dark ghost) has been replaced by a simpler 2 tone. Neutral gray below, and most often all or most of the vertical stabilizer and portions forward of the cockpit, and the top of the aircraft otherwise is gunship. Radome, in my book, is represented well by dark gull gray. But yeah, now it's just a 2 tone scheme (not counting the radome, I guess) - neutral gray below, and gunship above. Simplicity's good, I guess. Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Yes, it used to be FS36118 Gunship Grey, FS36270 Neutral Grey and FS36375 Light Ghost Grey. Now it's generally just FS36118 and FS36270. Link to post Share on other sites
jmel Posted December 10, 2006 Author Share Posted December 10, 2006 Thanks, Mick and Tom! Actually, Mick, the 4-ship picture was taken as the entire flight, tanker included, was in a left-hand turn. When the Vipers were done refueling, the entire flight moved behind the tanker and posed for me, as the boomer told them there was a photographer on board. Very cool. Jake Link to post Share on other sites
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