easier to see F16 color scheme
 

Well, I put my 6th flight on my 1/8 scale F16. The jet flies fantastic, and lands easily, and I am very happy with it. HOWEVER,, yesterday while I was flying it I got a little far out and while starting a turn I lost it for about 2 seconds, and it kind of added to an issue I am starting to think about. The color scheme on this jet seems to be very unfriendly in the air, the yellow and grey do not seem to stand out very well. I am wondering if anyone may have a little insight on this. A lot of times I am flying a silhouette. Is there an easier color scheme that suits an f16 and stands out easily. MY jet looks great, but it is an Idea I am kicking around. Painting it is not an issue with me, I am more than capable of laying down a good finish, I have just not been around enough jets yet to find out what is easier to see and works with the plane,, this jet does not have a large wingspan.
Thanks for any input fellas

Very happy you got it in the air, thats great news. About the color, man, there isnt really a magic scheme that will look significantly better than the other, specially when far out. The F-16 will always dissapear for a fraction of a second when turning towards or away from you far away.....you will get used to it eventually. Sometimes I can only see a tiny spot, but I can tell what the spot is doing.

That being said, I think my favorite color was a Moroccan Camo a friend did for me (looks like an Israeli camo). It stood out very well when the model was near, but really made no difference when it was far. They all look black/dark gray when far out! :-)

Again congrats on your Viper, it will quickly grow into you and you will love it.

David

I found the base leg and initial final line up the F-16 is very hard to see, I will deff say stay away from the gray/black aggressor scheme. I will get the scheme again just because its my favorite but I did limit myself on when I flew. Winter time when the sun is low on the horizon I would not fly any later than about 3pm because it was just to hard to see, summer time I would go later till just before sunset. I also found this scheme harder to see when it was clear with no clouds, for some reason the jet seems to stand out better with a few clouds around.http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2004342http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2004343 these schemes stand out really well if your looking for an aggressor type

I have the general dynamics skeem very nice, but even with the bright red wings it still dose the same thing, but what has helped was I left the wing tip rails white , this gives a good contrast and helps a lot,

Also if you had some wing tip missiles you this may help with the clean lines of the F16

Thanks Fellas,, I figured it is just me,,, I am used to flying giant aerobatic planes with big wings,, I just need to get used to this jet,,I thought it might be the scheme, but after reading responses, I see that I just need to get some more time with it,, and of course learn to keep it in a little closer. Thanks for the advice on the MISSILES,, I am trying to get a set of white sidewinders for the jet right now..

Raron,
I suggest the Edwards AFB Chase Aircraft scheme, basically white overall with large areas of International Orange applied to the vertical fin and wings-quite vivid in most background conditions. White wingtip missiles also help and I've painted the nose cones flat black with dayglo red/orange applied to the rear and fin areas of the missile. You can use rattle can or Testors Model Master enamels to color the missile. Good luck with this.
Rgds,
Art ARRO

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2004456Edwards or Thunderbirds, there is a lot of contrast on the wingtips which helps a lot. You can also add a centerline tank, it also helps visualy.
here is mine, ad jet old kit.

Edwards, no question about it.

This is the best for f-16

nice color scheme for Skymaster F16 1/6 ,


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeEsE-ytHAc&sns=fb

Did you get any video? Congrats!

[QUOTE=essyou35;11822754]Did you get any video? Congrats![/QUOT
Yeah, my wife got some great video of the ground and empty blue sky, you can hear it zipping by, and get a glimpse here and there but she couldn't keep up with it, gonna try again the next time out.

These would be my choice, both scale, when I repaint mine.

I bought a Savex F-16 which a friend crashed on landing approach because he couldn't see it.
You guessed it, same scheme as yours.

John.

I have a Tam's F-16... and when I FINALLY get around to putting it together... I think it's getting converted to Edward's paint. Thunderbirds paint is good to see from the ground... but it's done so often... I want something a little different.


But then again... some of the NASA paint schemes look good too. (don't ever see them at the flying fields)



AND.... I know there was no such thing.... But I'm also toying with the ideal of the blue angel's "Style" paint. I really like the look of the blue and yellow... but I know I will get yelled at since they never flew F-16's.

I had the Thunderbirds scheme, and as Falcon said, coming directly at or away from you, it will disappear. All you will see is the intake or the exhaust. Until you get used to it, you just have to tell your mind what your intentions of the maneuver where, and not touch the controls as it disappears and comes back. I had the F-18 too, and it did the same thing. Any jet with scale thin wings will disappear, no matter the color.

Again congrats on your Viper, it will quickly grow into you and you will love it.

http://finanziellede.de/hu6l.jpg

Tony just keep in mind that the paint job will help you when it is near, but when you are far not so much. I would paint it any color that makes you happy, really.

If you have the ability to fly a dart in the air a color scheme should not matter. At distance they all turn black and that leaves you the pilot in command to figure things out. I'm not trying to be a smart ass but I learned this from flying helicopters and aerial targets for the military.

Agree! Where can we find stencils for such ?