When did the US Navy transition from the white/grey paint scheme ?

[scottb613]

Hi Folks,

Just a trivia question for help with my DB updates...

When did the US Navy transition from the white/grey paint scheme - to the all grey paint scheme found on naval aircraft ? I'm guessing around 1985 ?

Thanks...

Regards,
Scott

[CV60]

That would be about right. According to http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq2-1.htm,
MIL-STD-2161(AS) dated April 18, 1985 was the document that made the change. That is about what I recall, that the switch was made between 1985-86.

Hi Folks, Just a trivia question for help with my DB updates... When did the US Navy transition from the white/grey paint scheme - to the all grey paint scheme found on naval aircraft ? I'm guessing around 1985 ? Thanks... Regards, Scott

[hellfish6]

I think we should bring back some of the heritage schemes!

http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/cente ... roject.pdf

The EA-18G, EA-6B and MH-60R are dead sexy.

[ChezDaJez]

ORIGINAL: scottb613

Hi Folks,

Just a trivia question for help with my DB updates...

When did the US Navy transition from the white/grey paint scheme - to the all grey paint scheme found on naval aircraft ? I'm guessing around 1985 ?

Thanks...

Regards,
Scott

My 1987 VP-40 cruise book shows Fighting Marlin aircraft to still be painted in the gray/white scheme. My guess is that the transition may have begun around 1985 but took several years to implement. I do know that P-3s were in the all gray scheme by the time Desert Storm came around. BTW, that all gray paint scheme greatly increased corrosion control requirements because it was flat. It tended to absorb salt water.

Chez

[CV60]

I seem to recall the SH-3's kept the grey/white scheme longer. Possibly because they flew lower near the water?

My 1987 VP-40 cruise book shows Fighting Marlin aircraft to still be painted in the gray/white scheme. My guess is that the transition may have begun around 1985 but took several years to implement. I do know that P-3s were in the all gray scheme by the time Desert Storm came around. BTW, that all gray paint scheme greatly increased corrosion control requirements because it was flat. It tended to absorb salt water. Chez

[CV60]

Back in 1994, I was on the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON. We had some of our A-6's painted with the D-Day invasion scheme for the Normandy commemoration

I think we should bring back some of the heritage schemes! http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/cente ... roject.pdf The EA-18G, EA-6B and MH-60R are dead sexy.

[scottb613]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for all the info and the heritage schemes in that PDF are drop dead gorgeous... I got to my boat in San Diego in 87... I don't recall the P-3's but all the S-3's at North Island were grey by then...

Regards,
Scott

[magi]

That's really cool… Dot

[Vulcan101]

I remember that the paint they used was a special anti IR paint, I do know it looked a bit patchy when you saw it up close.

I read somewhere that it always felt "tacky" to the touch but not actually wet.