Aeronavale schemes of the 1970s and 1980s

[rickshaw]

I'm looking for some info on French Aeronavale schemes of the 1970s and 1980s, particularly when cruising in warmer climes than the North Atlantic.  Did their aircraft stick with the dark blue/grey scheme or did they paint their aircraft in a lighter scheme?

[Amphion]

How about these (not mine, just googled them up):

[rickshaw]

The last two look like what I'm after.  Do you know what the colour is on the Etencard IVM?

[Dizzyfugu]

It's just a wild guess, but if it is authentic (I have never seen such a light/blue Etendard) it could be the air superiority blue which was e .g. used on the Mirage III or F.1.

AFAIK, FS 35164 (Intermediate Blue) comes close. Some Greek F-4's also carried this tone on the upper sides, called "Aegean Blue" - but all of them hat aluminum undersides.

[Dizzyfugu]

As an addendum, I found this real life picture:



But, to be honest, I am not sold on the idea that this was actually an official livery, or just weathered/bleached dark blue grey?

BTW, here's another variation: an all-grey Sue, with toned-down codes but full-color national insignia. I guess it's the lighter French grey, not FS 36440 as on the F-8, and probably too late for the 70ies/80ies timeframe - but it suits the Sue well:

[Geoff]

Some Etendards had a 2 tone dark blue grey/pale blue grey. The Airfix kit had this scheme.

[upnorth]

As an addendum, I found this real life picture:



But, to be honest, I am not sold on the idea that this was actually an official livery, or just weathered/bleached dark blue grey?

Given the level of reflection of the "MARINE" title on the wing in that picture, I'd be inclined to say it's likely not that weathered or faded at all.

[rickshaw]

The FS 35164 (Intermediate Blue) is basically what I'm looking for.  I'll use that.  Thanks for all your help!   

[Dizzyfugu]

As another addendum, I also found this one - it's a museum aircraft, though, in the USA, so I would not make a bet on an authetic tone. But this blue-grey looks very pale?



And here's "29 White" again in full daylight - totally agree that it IS a light blue shade, not a faded color:



And here's a similar sister ship, "9 White", in a glossy light blue livery with a white belly:

[rickshaw]

I think I'll go with a light grey top, white undersides and white upper control surfaces.  Will look the part.