I lived on R.A.F. Woodbridge from '74 to '77 and saw many of the 81st T.F.W.'s wearing the all green upper surface paint. Always an avid modeler, I took note of the unusual third green and witnessed this color morph over time in shade. At first almost more tan than green, as the paint aged the pea green aspect of this paint would increase into sometimes an almost florescent hue. I thought it was great.
I once documented which phantoms in the wing were painted in this odd color, and I believe at one point it was as many as 1 in every 7 aircraft, around 4 in each squadron. That seems kind of hi now, I'll have to recheck those numbers. I do remember the 81st and the Liberty Wing up at Lakenheath had more examples of this paint than any other wings.
I bought the magazine discussed at the time, too. It was an issue of AirExtra and I still have it. I'll dig it out.
I'm glad I found this great web site, I'll be sure to keep in touch.
