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What Colors Do We Fly?
from The Frequency Flag
Bob Thompson, Editor
165 N. Clyde Ave.
Longwood, FL 32750
| We know that contrast is the key to producing a visible
paint scheme, but what paint schemes are easy to see and show aircraft
orientation? Well, before I offer suggestions, let me tell you what I have
learned. (The following observations are not based upon scientific process.)
Originally, the goal of this article was to increase my ability to see
aircraft orientation from great distances. What I learned was that the
paint scheme is irrelevant. Yes, all this talk about color and contrast
did not improve my ability to see and control my aircraft from great distances.
(If I wanted better orientation, I would have to change the size of the
model or fly closer to the ground.) Against the sunlit sky, color did little
to increase visibility. On the ground, or line-of-sight near-parallel to
the ground, colors and patterns made a direct impact on visibility and
orientation. So color research determined on the ground had no relation
to what was visible in the sky. When the aircraft flies between you and
the source of light, the aircraft becomes a mere silhouette in as few as
250 feet (depending on the size of the model). Obviously then, a paint
scheme should be organized to orient the aircraft during its three most
critical phases of flight: takeoff, landing and low maneuvers. Now for
another surprise. The most visually-effective design tested is "invasion
stripe(s)". (The same stripes that were used in Europe during WWII to identify
allies.) Invasion stripes are a pair of large wide stripes running with
the cord of the wing or vertically on the fuselage . The stripes wrap completely
around the surface covering both the top and bottom with no breaks. Sunburst,
diagonal stripes, and smaller forms of stripes help little in increasing
visibility or orientation. Large areas of contrast, such as the entire
bottom of the aircraft or 50% or more of a wing panel proved effective
but (believe it or not) did not offer the banking orientation that the
invasion stripes did.
Invasion stripes seem to form a 3-D effect in the air . The 3-D effect is created by the shape of the leading edge and the contrasting area between the stripes. You really have to see it to believe how something so simple can be so effective. It is quite easy to determine the bank of the wing or turning of the aircraft by the apparent shape of the invasion stripes. Knowing what paint design works and how it works, I proceeded to work
on some designs that would appeal to our sense of "art" and still provide
orientation. To be effective, the design must use cord-lines, or lines
perpendicular to the length of a wing or fuselage. Lengthwise lines are
only effective when used to break up cord or split the top and bottom colors
of the aircraft. One of my favorite designs is used by Burlington Air Express
. The design splits the different sides of the aircraft with variable contrast.
This offers great visual orientation and the impression of movement even
when the aircraft is sitting still. Another eye catching design is the
Patriot . Splashing red, white and blue in the proper patterns offers some
great contrast. Notice that all of these designs break up the leading edge
of the wing, providing better visibility head on. I wish these figures
were in color, but even in black and white, the contrast is apparent.
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