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Weathering of a SLUFF


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YA-7D, USAF s/n 69-6195, recently transferred from the 3246th Test Wing at Eglin AFB FL to the 6510th Test Wing  at Edwards AFB CA. At the time, the 3246th belonged to the Air Force Armament Division at Eglin, the 6510th belonged to the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) at Edwards. That’s the Armament Division shield on the forward fuselage. The Air Force Systems Command (AFSC) shield is on the other side. Surprised that the paint shop replaced the Armament Division tail band (white with red diamonds) with the AFFTC band (blue with white Xs), but didn't remove the shield at the same time.

69-6195 6512ts KEDW 19810300 18cr

 

Note the US Navy style air refueling probe aft of the nose radome characteristic of the YA-7D.

 

Images from a practice safety chase mission in 1984. Armament Division shield removed, surprised it wasn’t replaced with the AFFTC shield. Camo has certainly weathered over the three years since the above photo, including faded national insignias…

69-6195 6512ts ED R-2508 19840910 35cr

 

The red portion of the insignia is the first to be baked away by the desert sun. Seen this effect on many F-4s stationed at Nellis AFB in the 1970's as well. Just a touch of staining beneath the aft fuselage...

69-6195 6512ts ED R-2508 19840910 36cr

 

Left side, well-worn national insignia. That’s the AF Systems Command badge on the forward fuselage peeking out beneath the wing pylons.

69-6195 6512ts ED R-2508 19840910 32cr

 

Turning final over Rogers Dry Lake. Note the RAT is deployed. Looks like the right wing flap and the outboard leading edge flaps have been replaced from a bird with wrap-around camo.

69-6195 6512ts ED KEDW 19840910 37cr

 

Marvelous what depot maintenance and a coat of paint can do. In 1985 as the AFFTC commander’s aircraft… travel pod at the ready on the inboard wing pylon.

69-6195 6512ts 19850518 18

 

69-6195 6512ts 19850518 17

 

Thanks for looking,

Sven

 

Edited by Old Viper Tester
Add info, corrected typo
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An interesting feature of Air Force A-7's is the noticeable chromate yellow interior fuselage of the jet pipe area, visible in your pictures. Not sure if this applies to Navy Sluf's.

 

Nice pictures, cheers.

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