Tactical Paint Schemes Camouflage1976

 Tactical Paint Schemes Camouflage 1976

In 1976, Tactical Paint Schemes were adopted, an ambitious new camouflage technique proposed by Keith Ferris, a noted aviation artist. This so-called Ferris Scheme featured high-contrast fragment patterns as well as a false dome on the underside of the nose intended to deceive enemy pilots as to the aircraft’s orientation. The three colors used were Light Gull Gray FS-36440 and Dark Gull Gray FS-36231 for the sides and undersides, with Medium Gunship Gray FS-36118 on the upper side. The Ferris Scheme was applied to many USN fighters, particularly the F-4 and F-14, and was even tested on the then-new USAF F-15. However, it proved unsatisfactory and was never officially adopted, although some of its features, such as the false canopy, were later adopted by USMC F/A-18s as well as by many foreign air forces. The splinter pattern has also inspired many modern foreign camouflage designs.

Aeroplane

F-15 Eagle
F-14 Tomcat
F-4 Phantom II
Northrop F-5

Painting Guide:

Dark Gull Grey FS-36231: This color is described in the Interiors section as it is best known as the main post-war US color.

Medium Gunship Grey FS-36118: Almost universally available with some versions slightly bluer than others, but this is also evident in the photos. I find Gunze H305 to be very inaccurate for FS-36118 (too light and lacking the blue-grey tint). In contrast, Tamiya’s XF-24 is suitable for FS-36118, although it is not marked as such. All other versions of FS-36118 that I have come across (Vallejo, AK Real Color) look close to the real thing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Ferris