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For Saul
- Thread starter jknaus
- Start date
HOLY MOLEY! I will need another Viper!
Thanks!
Thanks!
That's new, and cool! 
Sherman 18
Master at Arms
Now that is cool 
Well, I did some follow up:
by by Senior Airmen Jaimi Upthegrove
482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
7/22/2013 - Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. -- The 482nd Fighter Wing's flagship F-16 recently received a new paint job.
The artwork for the paint job, running almost nose to tail on the jet, features the likeness of a Mako shark.
Members of the 482nd Maintenance Squadron's structural repair shop combined their artistic ideas and developed the paint scheme.
"Everyone from our shop, phase dock, and flightline put in ideas to fine tune and help make this vision a reality," said Tech. Sgt. Adam Colaprete, 482nd MXS structural repair specialist.
Once the design was determined, the real work began. The maintainers who work in the phase dock prepared the jet for painting, ensuring safety and removing components that could be damaged by exposure to the painting process.
After the jet was turned over to the structural repair shop, they began by masking off all the areas that were not to be painted and started sanding.
According to Colaprete, after the masking process, the crew sanded the jet and wiped it down to create a smooth surface to work with. Then they treated any bare metal, laid down a primer, and started painting.
Due to the complexities of trying to print a two dimensional vinyl cutout to fit on a three dimensional aircraft, creating the stencil was not a simple process.
"There was a lot of trial and error involved in getting the stencil to fit just right," said Colaprete. "It's hard to draw a design on the computer and have it line up perfectly when you lay it down on the aircraft."
Before the stencil was painted, the area was painted in a medium gray tone. After that layer dried, the stencil was laid down, lined up, and filled in with a dark gray.
After the Mako shark paint scheme was completed, the crew applied all necessary markings as dictated in the technical order and removed the masking to reveal their masterpiece.
"Everyone, all 25 of my guys, traditional reservists and active duty, phase and flight line, all came together to make this happen," said Senior Master Sgt. Luis Ayala, 482nd MXS structural maintenance supervisor. "This aircraft is our masterpiece and the culmination of our combined talents."
According to Col. Douglas Batson, 482nd Maintenance Group commander, the paint job showcases unit pride and represents the base.
"Over the last 60 years, our Air Force's heritage can be traced by our nose art and unique tail flashes," said Batson. "It helps separate us from other units and instills a sense of pride and ownership.
"I'm extremely proud to see our Mako aircraft on the flightline, and when I see it, I think of the talented Airmen in the 482nd Maintenance Group who put so much hard work into painting it."
Regards,
by by Senior Airmen Jaimi Upthegrove
482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
7/22/2013 - Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. -- The 482nd Fighter Wing's flagship F-16 recently received a new paint job.
The artwork for the paint job, running almost nose to tail on the jet, features the likeness of a Mako shark.
Members of the 482nd Maintenance Squadron's structural repair shop combined their artistic ideas and developed the paint scheme.
"Everyone from our shop, phase dock, and flightline put in ideas to fine tune and help make this vision a reality," said Tech. Sgt. Adam Colaprete, 482nd MXS structural repair specialist.
Once the design was determined, the real work began. The maintainers who work in the phase dock prepared the jet for painting, ensuring safety and removing components that could be damaged by exposure to the painting process.
After the jet was turned over to the structural repair shop, they began by masking off all the areas that were not to be painted and started sanding.
According to Colaprete, after the masking process, the crew sanded the jet and wiped it down to create a smooth surface to work with. Then they treated any bare metal, laid down a primer, and started painting.
Due to the complexities of trying to print a two dimensional vinyl cutout to fit on a three dimensional aircraft, creating the stencil was not a simple process.
"There was a lot of trial and error involved in getting the stencil to fit just right," said Colaprete. "It's hard to draw a design on the computer and have it line up perfectly when you lay it down on the aircraft."
Before the stencil was painted, the area was painted in a medium gray tone. After that layer dried, the stencil was laid down, lined up, and filled in with a dark gray.
After the Mako shark paint scheme was completed, the crew applied all necessary markings as dictated in the technical order and removed the masking to reveal their masterpiece.
"Everyone, all 25 of my guys, traditional reservists and active duty, phase and flight line, all came together to make this happen," said Senior Master Sgt. Luis Ayala, 482nd MXS structural maintenance supervisor. "This aircraft is our masterpiece and the culmination of our combined talents."
According to Col. Douglas Batson, 482nd Maintenance Group commander, the paint job showcases unit pride and represents the base.
"Over the last 60 years, our Air Force's heritage can be traced by our nose art and unique tail flashes," said Batson. "It helps separate us from other units and instills a sense of pride and ownership.
"I'm extremely proud to see our Mako aircraft on the flightline, and when I see it, I think of the talented Airmen in the 482nd Maintenance Group who put so much hard work into painting it."
Regards,
Duke Maddog
Well-known member
Gator
Well-known member
Tell me about it!
I was sent more photos of this aircraft while in flight so we see the bottom. I am awaiting permission to post them.
Regards,
Regards,
Duke Maddog
Well-known member
Cool! I'll take one in 1/72 scale!
Permission was granted!
Thank you Keith Snyder!
Regards,
Thank you Keith Snyder!
Regards,
