Nigel Bunker Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 I see the first RAF A400M has flown. Does anybody know which grey it is painted in? My guess is the same as the C-17s but perhaps somebody knows the definitive answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastmcc Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Any photos mate ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Bunker Posted September 22, 2014 Author Share Posted September 22, 2014 Here is a picture: http://www.adsadvance.co.uk/first-raf-a400m-atlas-makes-maiden-flight.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotthldr Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 (edited) Better one here, it first flew in RAF colours towards the tailend of August http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/2/0/5/2495502.jpg Edited September 22, 2014 by scotthldr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastmcc Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 from those it looks like the same colours of the C17 .. thomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hovis Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 I thought our Globemasters were in an American shade of grey (gray?) painted in the factory. Surely Airbus or indeed the RAF wouldn't use the same colour initially? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don McIntyre Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Why not, they've got to paint it anyway? They just order up a batch of paint the color they want and off they go. A Matt green color (as an example) would cost the same but not match their C-17s, so, they specify exactly what they want. No big deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Bunker Posted September 23, 2014 Author Share Posted September 23, 2014 Well C-130Js and C-17s were delivered in FS 26173 overall, so I suppose it would make sense for the A400M to be in the same colour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Fleming Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 (edited) need to see them side by side - the prototype and C-17 were not painted the same, but the RAF could have specified another colour And good to see Royal Air Force in a proper size and type face after the A330! Edited September 23, 2014 by Dave Fleming 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caution Wake Turbulence Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Watching video of the 5 prototypes flying together, I'm not convinced that they are all painted the same shade of grey. Some of them seem darker, with perhaps a slightly purple hue. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hovis Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 I'm sure the Atlas isn't the same shade as the Globemaster. Maybe similar but surely an Airbus mixture? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feldr Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 due to be delivered In the next couple of weeks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 (edited) It looks a bit more blue than the C-17. I would hazard a guess (and it is only a guess) at dark camouflage grey. Remember that the C-17s were delivered in standard US camouflage as they were leased initially. Edited September 23, 2014 by T7 Models Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aeronut Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 The undercoat for these operational grey schemes is a matt black for IR protection. One possible explanation in the variance in grey shades with the prototype A400M could be that this base coat was not applied as it wasn't needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Nice comparison shot. Never seen one in the flesh, it is just like a C-17 with props. Wonder what the price difference is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Just a side note here, the Revell instruction sheet for the 1/72 kit refers to different greys for one of the prototypes and the 'proposed' French Air Force scheme. I suppose once the first RAF aircraft is parked next to a C-17 we will know if they are the same colour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotthldr Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 I've looked at pictures of the French, Turkish and RAF versions and they all have the same colour applied. I've also looked at the C-17 and if there is any difference I can't see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XV571 Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 After asking a contact who has visibility of the actual painting specifications, the basic colour on all A400Ms is FS 36173 grey whether it's the prototypes or the French, German, Turkish or British production aircraft. The base primer is also specified as a yellow-brown colour. If the C-17 uses a black primer this may account for the two appearing as different tones. The colour call-outs in the 1/72 Revell kit were simply speculation that the French would specify a different scheme when their aircraft were delivered, like the disruptive scheme for the Luftwaffe. The new 1/144 kit uses the same grey for all three options. Curiously, the colours used for the RAF roundels are also FS numbers - 31105 red and 35056 blue instead of the equivalent British Standard shades. These are also used for those painted on the RAF's A330s. Incidentally, the Voyagers are painted BS381C: 637 Medium Sea Grey overall with the fuselage 'transport flash' and 'Royal Air Force' titles in FS 36173 grey. Hope this helps, Jonathan 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 Great info, thanks Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Bunker Posted September 25, 2014 Author Share Posted September 25, 2014 Just what I was looking for. Thank you Jonathan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomastmcc Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 Great info Jonathan .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 (edited) Thank you indeed; very useful. Dark sea grey it is, then. Edited September 25, 2014 by T7 Models Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMK Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 It is just like a C-17 with props. Wonder what the price difference is? Looks similar - just a lot smaller, can carry less cargo, slower, a shorter (unrefuelled) distance. If the Tiger and the NH-90 are anything to go by, it'll be more expensive to buy, own & operate than the C-17. All that aside, it is a lovely, rugged-looking aircraft. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard E Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 All that aside, it is a lovely, rugged-looking aircraft. I've always thought it looks a bit like a refugee from the Antonov or Ilyushin design bureaux. And thanks for the confirmation of the colours - I'm hoping my LHS will have one in stock this weekend. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flankerman Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 I've always thought it looks a bit like a refugee from the Antonov or Ilyushin design bureaux.. An-70 ??......... Il-76 ??..... Ken 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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