Hello, all:

I'm working on a little project (that I don't want to spoil yet) and have come to need some info from those of you in the know. Is there a sort of "Prototype Fighter" paint scheme? Maybe something that one country tends to use for prototype designs? Something used widely enough that it may be recognizable as such? A cursory search on the subject brings some info, but unfortunately I'm not hip enough to the field to be sure what's what.

Thanks in advance!

Grey (most common) or black:

This might be the most famous prototype of them all though:

Grey/white/black has been foremost in my mind. That orange, though!...hmmm. Something like that will stand out quite well.

Thanks for the input, Stone!

not really as it varies from manufacturer. but usually some kind of high vis orange on the outer panels is/are used during testing.

Depends on the time frame. Early experimental ac were usually orange for visibility (X-1). That changed to white on the X-3 Stiletto. Some were natural metal and some were painted aluminium. There's a shot of the Flying Flapjack in bright yellow. I don't remember the "X" designation of that one. It was a twin engine fighter that looked like a pancake with engines and wings attached.

Individual companies might've had their own color schemes for prototype ac but I'm not sure about that. One place you might check is IPMS USA. If you know anybody that belongs to the national chapter and/or a local chapter they should be able to help. The national website has a list of local chapters with contact numbers. These guys know their ac. They'll even be able to supply the FS numbers for the colors. As for me, I'm a 'tread head'. I mostly build armor.

If you want to be safe, white or natural metal is the way to go. On a natural metal scheme individual panels can be tinted with glazes made from clear gloss and blues, greys and blacks.

If you need additional info drop me a pm.

Google YF-16 for imagery.

The OP immediately made me think of this F-16 prototype's red/white/blue paint scheme.

Grey/white/black has been foremost in my mind. That orange, though!...hmmm. Something like that will stand out quite well.

Thanks for the input, Stone!

Glad to help. I'm from an Air Force family and have lived near NASA, Army, Navy, and Air Forces bases most my life. NASA likes white, USAF now likes black, but once upon a time that orange was THE color. Army/Navy tends to be grey. If I were to pick a color, I'd pick the "experimental orange" used on the X-1 that Yeager is so famous for flying.

Many prototype a/c have large parts left unpainted:

Additionally, test aircraft have reference marks painted on them to aid in measurement from camera footage:

(Think like crash test dummy markings)

For any aircraft paint scheme you want.........WW1 to Ultra Modern

http://wp.scn.ru/

It's a bit of a pain to navigate at times. But......... select period and type of aircraft at top of screen. Then select model from left. Then select country from middle of screen. Then on the right are the listings for that particular aircraft including different sub types. Sometimes you get a squadron name which will also tell you if it's a training squadron etc. When you go into a page, left click will enlarge and minimize images.

Also some of the images will give you model paint references.

Forgot to add, some of the descriptions will list the aircraft name then (prototype)

Wow! As I expected from you fine folks, a TON of incredibly useful information. Thanks so much Stone37, Swedge, Stoneface, USCGrad90, PaulTiberius, Earthworm, & Andy1909!

Gonna be a little bit, but when I get my little Star Wars prototype project done, I'll certainly post it here.

^{http://zone-five.net/showthread.php?t=17&page=11 scroll down to see F-15 prototype pics.. F-18 prototype had similar orange panels. although some had navy blue and gold panels/trim.. F-16 prototype was red white and blue.. F-20 red or grey depending on which one.. just google and pick what you like..lol for some really cool paint jobs check out and google CAG birds... but I personally prefer the aggressor paint schemes..}

Coincidence?

The UN Spacy X-9 ghost prototype:

I would imagine a prototype spaceship would be as bright as possible..... because you know, space is dark

The UN Spacy X-9 ghost prototype:

I would imagine a prototype spaceship would be as bright as possible..... because you know, space is dark

Makes it easier to find the wreckage too.

In the '30s, a lot of prototypes were a bare aluminum/steel fuselage and bright yellow wings and tail. Look up the XF4U-1 Corsair for a reference. I've always been fond of that particular scheme, and need to track down a F4U-1 model to paint that way.

There's a shot of the Flying Flapjack in bright yellow. I don't remember the "X" designation of that one. It was a twin engine fighter that looked like a pancake with engines and wings attached.

Whenever somebody complains about "pancakes overrunning the meta," this is what I think of.

There's a shot of the Flying Flapjack in bright yellow. I don't remember the "X" designation of that one. It was a twin engine fighter that looked like a pancake with engines and wings attached.

It was V-173. We have one at a flight museum here in Dallas: http://www.flightmuseum.com/exhibits/aircraft-3/aircraft-3/

Whenever somebody complains about "pancakes overrunning the meta," this is what I think of.

It's amazing that some of these designs were actually pretty decent. Northrop's Flying Wing, XF5U-1 (bigger pancake), the Goblin and a host of parasitic fighters. That they actually got pilots to test fly some of these concept aircraft still makes my head shake. So much was trial and error. Some of it was mostly error. Ive got a book on US X aircraft from the X1 thru the X29. I think that was the FSW frame to test aerolastic divergence.

An interesting scheme for the Zs, X-wings, Es and maybe the Igs would be something from the Tiger Meets. These aren't prototype colors but variations on a tiger stripe pattern. My favorite ac in this scheme is the F104(?) Starfighter in yellow and black. They look pretty awesome.

Great for Rebels. Imperials couldn't FOCUS on that scheme!

Aircraft don't fly in space.... but ships do.