Quote from: AeroplaneDriver on February 08, 2023, 11:30:39 AM

Quote from: Geoff on February 08, 2023, 10:06:48 AMI'm thinking of going with second hand F-16MLUs from Benelux countries as the support infrastructure is closer to Ireland and I have one in the stash even though I read that they tried to interest them in Block 70 F-16s

I think that would be the most realistic way for Ireland to get back into the Fighter game.  It seems the cheapest and easiest to achieve of the ideas tossed around.  Thought I'd put the first Gen Gripens being retired by Sweden as a close second best bet.  Both would be great Whifs.

Yep 

So what sort of markings would they go for? Traditional roundel colours, a UK-style pastel version or F-35 style monochrome outlines?

I'm presuming the F-16s or Gripens would be grey, of course.

Quote from: Weaver on February 08, 2023, 02:16:14 PMSo what sort of markings would they go for? Traditional roundel colours, a UK-style pastel version or F-35 style monochrome outlines?

I'm presuming the F-16s or Gripens would be grey, of course.

They are Irish, so 40 shades of GREEN  would probably be appropriate

Quote from: Rheged on February 08, 2023, 02:18:45 PM

Quote from: Weaver on February 08, 2023, 02:16:14 PMSo what sort of markings would they go for? Traditional roundel colours, a UK-style pastel version or F-35 style monochrome outlines?

I'm presuming the F-16s or Gripens would be grey, of course.

They are Irish, so 40 shades of GREEN  would probably be appropriate

Not much historical precedent though: their Vampire T.11s and Magisters were NMF and the PC-9s are light grey. Their Spitfires were a light grey-green colour that might be a different but credible alternative for an F-16.

Gray seems the obvious, but in Whifworld who knows?  I'd like to see a low viz but original gray scheme with low viz gray roundels.  That would involve making the decals though.

Quote from: Rheged on February 08, 2023, 02:18:45 PMThey are Irish, so 40 shades of GREEN  would probably be appropriate

          

A variation on the Swedish Fields-&-Meadows/Splinter scheme in 3 or 4 greens would look good.

Then again, low-vis schemes are really only relevent in a dogfight. If air-policing Ireland  ("Eire-Policing?"  )  against Bear-Ds is the ONLY thing the AMRAAM-armed fighters will be doing, then they don't really need low-vis, indeed hi-vis might be a positive advantage in making it clear to the Bear crew who exactly's telling them to "persist off". A variation on the PC-9 scheme with a gloss light grey base colour (easy to clean & good for corrosion prevention) with hi-vis orange panels and big, colourful national markings might be just the thing.

As a "realistic" option, Ireland could also "inherit" the small Austrian Typhoon fleet, another suitable QRA and air patrol option, and the type would make maintenance through "the island next door" easy? Would also open the option to share duties with RAF aircraft?

Livery-wise I'd favor an all-grey scheme - boring, yes, but sensible. With full-color roundels and maybe some dayglo-markings or a full-contrast-color fin?

Quote from: Dizzyfugu on February 08, 2023, 11:53:12 PMAs a "realistic" option, Ireland could also "inherit" the small Austrian Typhoon fleet, another suitable QRA and air patrol option, and the type would make maintenance through "the island next door" easy? Would also open the option to share duties with RAF aircraft?

Livery-wise I'd favor an all-grey scheme - boring, yes, but sensible. With full-color roundels and maybe some dayglo-markings or a full-contrast-color fin?

ADC Grey, with full color markings? 

It's still an "all grey" scheme, but it sure isn't as boring as low viz

As the planes are second hand probably too expensive to repaint and they could probably transfer a few planes from say Belgium, NL,   Norway and Denmark you get a mix of standard schemes. Norway uses a single grey, most of the others use two tone schemes.
Small standard bosses and a 3 digit Irish ID number. I agree about a few hi viz panels. Their job is intercept and escort so a bit of hi viz to help prevent air to air collisions.
Hmm what schemes are the bone yard planes in? I am thinking of the ADV variant now as used by USAF and AMI 

If they are to be Air-Police then surely they should be painted in a scheme based on this?

Bear in mind that in any alternative scheme for F-16s (and probably other modern types too), the radome will still have to be grey. IIRC this is because they're self-coloured "plastic" not painted GRP nowadays, the material doesn't take kindly to paint and is only available in, (I think) a couple of shades of grey. If you look at a Venezuelan aircraft or any of the cammo aggressor aircraft, the radome is always grey even if it clashed badly with the rest of the scheme.

The US is starting to repaint F-16s in a single shade of darker-grey RAM paint as used on the F-35, and that's also the colour used on the Norwegian F-16s.

I think you'll find that a whiffium based primer will stick to the radome material and allow any colour you like to be painted over the top.   

Quote from: Weaver on February 09, 2023, 02:17:34 AMBear in mind that in any alternative shceme for F-16s (and probably other modern types too), the radome will still have to be grey. IIRC this is because they're self-coloured "plastic" not painted GRP nowadays, the material doesn't take kindly to paint and is only available in, (I think) a couple of shades of grey. If you look at a Venezuelan aircraft or any of the cammo aggressor aircraft, the radome is always grey even if it clashed badly with the rest of the scheme.

The US is starting to repaint F-16s in a single shade of darker-grey RAM paint as used on the F-35, and that's also the colour used on the Norwegian F-16s.

Thank you

Quote from: zenrat on February 09, 2023, 02:39:05 AMI think you'll find that a whiffium based primer will stick to the radome material and allow any colour you like to be painted over the top.   

While I like the idea I suspect it bollocks up the radar to some degree. However the Block 1 aircraft had black radomes which I always liked.


Hmmm ex Austrian Typhoons? Probably a tad expensive to operate as Austria found out