Request: Retro/Vintage schemes on modern aircraft

[Duggy009]

An F-16 Fighting Falcon, painted with non-standard markings, assigned to the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, taxis at the Duluth Air National Guard Base on July 17, 2023. The “heritage jet” was inspired by the 148th Fighter Wing’s emblem. The markings include the winged arrowhead dividing the top of the aircraft at a 45-degree angle, the Ursa Minor constellation and Phoenix. It also incorporates the Minuteman and fighter jets found on the Air National Guard emblem. The lightning bolts reference the Wing’s electronic warfare mission era as well as the Wing’s original P-51 Mustang aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Audra Flanagan)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon, painted with non-standard markings, assigned to the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, flew in Duluth, Minnesota on July 17, 2023. The “heritage jet” was inspired by the 148th Fighter Wing’s emblem. The markings include the winged arrowhead dividing the top of the aircraft at a 45-degree angle, the Ursa Minor constellation and Phoenix. It also incorporates the Minuteman and fighter jets found on the Air National Guard emblem. The lightning bolts reference the Wing’s electronic warfare mission era as well as the Wing’s original P-51 Mustang aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Amn Addie Peterson)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon, painted with non-standard markings, assigned to the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, taxis after flight in Duluth, Minnesota on July 17, 2023. The “heritage jet” was inspired by the 148th Fighter Wing’s emblem. The markings include the winged arrowhead dividing the top of the aircraft at a 45-degree angle, the Ursa Minor constellation and Phoenix. It also incorporates the Minuteman and fighter jets found on the Air National Guard emblem. The lightning bolts reference the Wing’s electronic warfare mission era as well as the Wing’s original P-51 Mustang aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Amn Addie Peterson)

[Duggy009]

A HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter dries after receiving a Vietnam Era heritage paint scheme inside the 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron’s paint barn at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, July 18, 2023. The recently painted surface must be completely dry before stenciled tail numbers and designations can be applied. The 943d Rescue Group completed a Vietnam Era heritage paint scheme for this HH-60G Pave Hawk on July 26. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andre Trinidad)

A 943d Rescue Group HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter with its new Vietnam Era heritage paint scheme sits in front of another Pave Hawk with the current gray paint scheme at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, July 27, 2023. The 943d RQG completed a Vietnam Era heritage paint scheme for this Pave Hawk on July 26. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andre Trinidad)

An active-duty Airman from the 355th Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants team and 943d Maintenance Squadron rescue Airmen defuel an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter with an International R-11 fuel truck at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, July 27, 2023. The Pave Hawk needs to be completely empty of fuel to be properly weighed after being painted. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andre Trinidad)

[Duggy009]

The RAF Typhoon Display Team have revealed the newly painted display aircraft for the 2024 display season at Royal Air Force Coningsby.

The aircraft paint scheme includes features that commemorate D-Day, with 2024 being the 80th Anniversary of the Allies invading Europe.
The aircraft is painted in a 1944 era ‘Day Fighter’ scheme.

The scheme remembers a Hawker Typhoon of 257 Squadron, FM-G. On D-Day, this aircraft was flown by Pilot Officer Denzel Jenkins, who became Officer Commanding 257 Squadron and was later decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Photos courtesy of the RAF.

[Duggy009]

A very cool looking T-38 Talon aircraft assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing taxis to the runway at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., July 10, 2024.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hetlage)

[k5083]

Love it. That might be the most vintage scheme I can remember seeing on a modern aircraft.

Even though I like how they reproduced the tail markings, changing the S to an N and the XIII to a XXXVIII would have been cool too.

Let's see if next year the RCAF takes the hint and paints an F-18 like Barker's Snipe or Bishop's N.17.

August

[Thomas_Mac]

New favorite?!


https://www.twz.com/air/b-52h-stratofor ... int-scheme

[JohnB]

The 116th ARS of the WA ANG is celebrating its centennial with a special scheme on its KC-135s.

Not an accurate retro scheme per se, but rather elements of a prewar scheme.

Photo: Key publishing

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[Hooligan2]

Love to see that B-52 deploy to the UK...

[JohnB]

Love to see that B-52 deploy to the UK...

With world events being what they are, keep checking Fairford, sooner or later it will show up.

[Hooligan2]

I've seen one over London twice during recent deployments to Fairford - a magnificent and welcome (if slightly sobering) sight.

[JohnB]

I've seen one over London twice during recent deployments to Fairford - a magnificent and welcome (if slightly sobering) sight.

No more sobering than a Vulcan....both designed for the same mission.

Yet the UK public went absolutely giddy when their homegrown ship showed up at displays during XH558's career. It was celebrated as a feat of UK engineering, not as a potential weapon of mass destruction.
A bit like the display at the IWM Duxford, great mention was made of the B-29s atomic missions (fair enough), but the display featured a section of burned bamboo representing someone's idea of Japanese home construction discussing the fire bomb attack on Tokyo and the huge casualties it caused.
Yet across the hall at the Lancaster, I don't recall a similar mention of Dresden or Bomber Commands toll on German civilians.

Yet despite that bit of political posturing (IMHO), when I was part of a joint B-52/B-1 deployment to Fairford in 1998 (or was it '99?) we were warmly received (including a huge event at a nearby brewery) and the open day was hugely successful and well attended by enthusiasts.

[StangStung]

A very cool looking T-38 Talon aircraft assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing taxis to the runway at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., July 10, 2024.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hetlage)

This is great. Would love to see more WWI callbacks like this.

I wonder if they have the period correct roundels? Certainly they're not on the fuselage, but perhaps the wings?

[Duggy009]

An A-29 Super Tucano (In 1st Air commando colours} arrives at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 18., where it will join a unique fleet at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. (Air Force photo by Lindsey Iniguez)