XF442 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Hi all, I am currently working on a Phantom during the final deployment of Ark Royal. It looks like the underwing serials had been overpainted at that time. Instead most aircraft show some strange markings (arrow-/"F"-shaped lines to complete patches) on the underside of the outer wing: XV586; Arrow or "F"-shape: http://www.abpic.co.uk/popup.php?q=1021006 XV590; Large patch: http://www.abpic.co.uk/popup.php?q=1021007 XT864; "F" on grey patch: http://www.abpic.co.uk/popup.php?q=1021000 Any idea why? Did this markings continue on the underside of the main wing? Thanks in advance Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 I suspect some airframe repairs have been done and are still in primer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kstater94 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 It's a structural reinforcement patch. They just haven't repainted the underside to match everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roof Rat Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Hello XF442 To the best of my knowledge they are reinforcing plates, when they were first added they remained unpainted, and then as bentwaters has mentioned the area has been painted with primer prior to the white being reapplied. I cant remember exactly when but the practise of not painting them returned, I guess to make inspecting easier. Hope this has been of help RR 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Ogilvie Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 What /\ he /\ said Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XF442 Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 (edited) Thanks very much!! Especially Roof Rat for posting the picture. It highlights something else I hadn't been aware of: By overpaintig the underwing serials had not been removed at all but relocated inwards (compared with this picture from 1970) so the letters stopped showing up beneath the outer wing. Cheers Chris Edited June 24, 2015 by XF442 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan B Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 There was a regular inspection program carried out in that area for the rest of their operation lives, dye penetration NDT mostly. Duncan B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now