erewhon1872 Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Hi all. I'm just completing a CF-188 and want to make this aircraft http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/assets/AIRFORCE_Internet/images/news-nouvelles/2014/11/141030-f-mg-591-415.jpg I have the Canuckmodels sheet WVD005-48 that includes a marking that is described as "AETE Type A" which is a large red cross on the outside surface of the tails. In the picture above '743' has what I think is this cross rather crudely painted out on the tail but I'd like to include it as it would give a small dash of colour to an otherwise very grey finish. So question is what does the "AETE Type A" mean when applied to a CF-188? Is it for some kind of training exercise or particular mission these Hornets flew? And as I want to replicate the weapons load in the picture am I ok to add this tail marking to a fully loaded CAF Hornet? Thanks in advance to any CAF experts out there who can enlighten me. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter W Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Canadian Armed Forces AETE (Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment) is located at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. AETE is responsible for flight tests as well as ground test for all types of aircraft operated by the Canadian Forces. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erewhon1872 Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share Posted February 8, 2016 Canadian Armed Forces AETE (Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment) is located at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. AETE is responsible for flight tests as well as ground test for all types of aircraft operated by the Canadian Forces. Pete thanks for the information, so if it's a flight test facility are the markings only applied when the aircraft is at Cold Lake for testing and removed once the test phase is over? Also would an aircraft marked this way carry armaments/fuel drop tanks/a sniper pod etc. or would it be a 'clean' aircraft while at Cold Lake? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airjiml2 Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 188743 did carry another insignia that has been painted out, but it wasn't the AETE red X. You can see it here: http://www.airliners.net/photo/Canada---Air/McDonnell-Douglas-CF-188A/0972996/L/&sid=fde2fe48186bcef542e09a6298a73eeb Sorry, but I can't really tell what that insignia is. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffraff Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Here is a little history of 743 http://rwrwalker.ca/CF18_detailed_part1.html And some more pictures, nothing really different from what you have seen. http://www.flickriver.com/photos/tags/188743/interesting/ The picture you posted Pete is from the 409 Sqn which appears to be the most recent, with whatever was on the tail in the picture Jim posted from 416 Sqn, painted over. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erewhon1872 Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share Posted February 8, 2016 thanks for all the answers, so it looks like '743' was with one squadron and then transferred so they painted out the old emblem which was mid-tail and added the new one on the tail leading edge. My mistake as the painted out symbol looked like the red 'X' of the AETE. I think in the end I'll leave the tail with just the 409 badge, although having said that I am well qualified to paint the old badge out badly!! Cheers as the links above have cleared up the mystery, having said that I am still not sure when the AETE mark should actually be used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffraff Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 The red 'X' of the AETE is quite a bit larger than what has been painted over. http://t33.ca/assets/images/photos/Aircrafts/hornet/turbo-cf-18B-Hornet-917-1993.jpg The emblem is also not a squadron marking as you can see the Lynx and Nighthawk both at the top of the tails. Not sure what the emblem would be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 It may be one of the special anniversary markings painted out?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessica Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Aircraft tend to be assigned to AETE for long term, as they are used to test new equipment and new weapons. The red X shows that they're test airframes. Often their aircraft wear a red and white scheme with black trim. When an aircraft is in operational scheme, it will have a red and black "X" on the fin(s). White outlines are sometimes used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erewhon1872 Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share Posted February 8, 2016 Aircraft tend to be assigned to AETE for long term, as they are used to test new equipment and new weapons. The red X shows that they're test airframes. Often their aircraft wear a red and white scheme with black trim. When an aircraft is in operational scheme, it will have a red and black "X" on the fin(s). White outlines are sometimes used. I can see now the 'X' is a lot bigger and in a different position to the painted out symbol on the tail of '743' Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary C Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 (edited) The mystery badge is from 416 squadrons deployment to Exercise Clean Hunter at Aalborg in 2003. http://hangar1.net/trip03-03.html Edited February 8, 2016 by Gary C 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 The mystery badge is from 416 squadrons deployment to Exercise Clean Hunter at Aalborg in 2003.http://hangar1.net/trip03-03.html Correct, we only painted it on our jets just prior to leaving on the excercise and removed them when we got back. I have some close-ups somewhere. I even have one of the stencils. 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