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Colors on ANG A-7K and USAF T-38


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Anyone know the correct colors the ANG A-7K's are in the two tone grays? One combo says they are 36375 Dark Ghost Gray and 35737 Blue Gray and the other reference I have say they are 36270 and 36118. Secondly I am building the Academy KIA T-50 trainer as the aircraft Lockheed is proposing for the T-38 replacement. Wanting to build it in the two tone grays used on T-38's. Anyone know the correct colors for these? I am guess 36118 for the dark gray nose and tail, but the light gray have no idea. Thanks for any help.

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ANG two-tone grays used on the A-7D/K were the same as F-16s and F-4s: 36270 and 36118. In some cases, semi-gloss paints were used, making the colors 26270 and 26118. Check your references for the jet you're building.

Jake

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I'm not at all convinced that 16473 is the color in the middle on the T-38s. That's been quoted, but has anyone seen an official paint spec that says that? Maybe it's just a trompe l'oeil, but it sure looks lighter than ADC Gray to me, in every photo I've seen.

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I'm not at all convinced that 16473 is the color in the middle on the T-38s. That's been quoted, but has anyone seen an official paint spec that says that? Maybe it's just a trompe l'oeil, but it sure looks lighter than ADC Gray to me, in every photo I've seen.

I have a PDF of AF Tech Order 1-1-4 "EXTERIOR FINISHES, INSIGNIA AND MARKINGS, APPLICABLE TO USAF AIRCRAFT" Revised 14 July 1998. It still shows the T-38 in white, but shows the AT-38B in three color - 15450 Light Blue, 15164 Gray, and 15109 Dark Blue. I haven't been up close to an AT-38B in a hundred years, but the current colors on the T-38 look about the same to me.

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Wouldn't say that the darker Grey on the T-38 is 16118, looks a lot darker in these pics more like 16081. The front a/c is 36118/36270

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/rivetjoint/USAF%20trainers/2564c1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g151/rivetjoint/USAF%20trainers/2556a1.jpg

The lighter Grey depends on what picture you look at. Unless someone can produce the definite answer, I would say it's somewhere between 16473 and 16515, but is that possible? If it was my build I would consider a 50/50 mix of the two.

What's the story behind the Hill Grey T-38's anyway?

Edited by scotthldr
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Hi all,

Specifically on the question of T-38s 2 tone colors I have seen very different series of photographs : Some show definately dark grey/light grey camo while others show an almost black/almost white livery.

Interpreting photographs, even modern color pictures, can be difficult. Is there any way there actually are two different colors schemes, or is this just a matter of printing or differences in photo constrast and exposure?

Here are some photos

Grey/Grey

http://www.ecpropertymanagement.com/resources/cool+T-38+web+large.jpg

http://www.ecpropertymanagement.com/resources/3+ships+web+large.jpg

http://www.ecpropertymanagement.com/resources/DSC_2636+web+large.JPG

Black/white

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/T-38_560FTS_RandolphAFB_2001.jpeg

http://nice-cool-pics.com/data/media/29/usaf_t-38_talon_trainers_in_four-ship_formation.jpg

Notice, I reckon RA 66389 appears in both grey/grey and "black"/"white" series of photos.

Cheers

Eric B.

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Surely someone can lay hands on a Air Force technical spec for that scheme? It's been around for years now... That would answer it once and for all.

Edited by Jennings
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Hi,

Eric, I'm pretty sure all of the photos you've posted show the exact same paint scheme. The variation you perceive is due to different lighting conditions and brightness/contrast of the photos; nothing else.

Thanks Kursad,

That is basically what I am thinking, still I find it amazing there is such a high tonal variation on modern, colour photographs, especially as both "versions" are numerous, not just the exception.

Also why I was pointing that 66389 could be found on both series of photographs; I had a doubt it could have been repainted between both series of photos.

Photo effect is weird, bringing the above question to me.

Thank you.

Eric B.

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