If I cover the top of my 4*60 wing with three different colored stripes running the legnth of the wing, and the bottom with the same three colors, but in stripes running the chord of the wing, will this be a big enough difference for me to tell the orientation and attitude of my plane?
Hope you can understand all of that.

I wouldn't do that......You should make sure that you can have different colors that are contrasting on the top and bottom.....One thin to remember, don't make anything white....well don't make a big area white....I have a Superstar that Iis so hard to see when I'm flying......I would let the top and bottom of the wing have differnt CONTRASTING COLORS...like Black/White...not really that color but you get what I'm saying......

Well.. depends on the size of the stripes, and the colors involved.

Just the difference of one big wide stripe on the bottom is sometimes enough.

Scale competitors don't have the luxury of modifying the colors for improved orientation of a pilot on the ground, and they generally do OK... its a matter of your eyesight, your skill and attention to what the plane is doing and... practice.

That should work, depending onthe colors you choose. And contrary to what iflynething says, white is an excellent color to use - as long as you have contrasting colors to go with it. Personally, I like mostly white on top, with red wingtips and some blue trim, and the same on bottom, with a lot more blue added to darken the scheme up a bit.

Your plan will work as long as you make your stripes big enough.
If they are to small they will blend together into one color from a distance.
I like to just paint or cover my bottoms a solid darker color.
This particular color scheme and stripe size is very easy to see. (the bottom is just solid orange)

That's what I meant Minn.....you can use white but have some contrasting colors.....sorry for the misunderstanding.........

[link=http://www.ultimatecharger.com/color.html]Have a read of this....[/link]

Should work fine,I use 3" to 4" strips and on the bottom I make sure there is a contrast,dark/lite.

My plan for the top of the wing is black for leading edge to main spar, grey from main spar to rear spar, and yellow from rear spar to trailing edge. On the bottom, I was think black from leading edge to main spar, and alternating yellow and grey stipes between the ribs. This won't be any color difference, but what I hope is a big patttern difference. Do you think this will still be recognizable?

That was very very ver interesting.........

BearcatPilot, I wouldn't want to fly with the pattern only,at distance the pattern will disappear,and then so can the plane,simple rule can't see it,can't fly it.

Try using some flourescent colours as one of the stripes. You will be amazed at how well you can see them. I find yellow the best followed by orange and red. Try some you will definately see an improvement in visibility.

Mark Shuman

Do what ever you like. I have most of mine identical on the top and bottom. Never had a problem telling if it was right side up or upside down. Many like different colors on top and bottom though. Thats ok too. To each his own. Stripes one way on top and the other on bottom would be a huge diff. You would be able to tell very easily with that.