Instrument panels come in many colours: British were black, then light grey; American a tasteful mid green; Russian bright turquoise blue/green; western airliners light grey or a pleasant beige; GA aircraft, any colour, including red!
No doubt aviation research institutes came up with the different colours – so why are they all different?
As a long-term instrument man, I feel the main requirement should be that the instruments must be easy to read with a bright or dark sky outside. The iris closes when looking at bright light, so dark instrument panels are too much of a shock to the eyes.
So what is the best colour lads? Any pilots with any opinions?
Bri 😎
By: Jagx204 - 29th November 2007 at 14:35
JP5 Inst panels – What colour grey?
Using the vast font of knowledge amongst the forumites, can anybody tell what the BS spec is for the grey used on Jet Provost 5 panels (and indeed interior)
I’ve looked through the AP’s I have and done some ‘googling’ but seem unable to find it.
The collection of panels I have are from a variety of sources are all different shades so some guidance would be welcomed.
Offers?
Thanks
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 29th November 2007 at 12:26
Good old Steve – he’s even better at pub quizzes 🙂 !
TT
By: Mark V - 29th November 2007 at 09:12
The ‘RAF green’ (which I always call Matt 73 Humbrol fans) is what we chose for ours, dark green seems too oppressive and light grey, popular in the 80’s with US warbird restorers seems to look naff….
Correctly known as ‘Grey Green’ – BS381C-283.
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 28th November 2007 at 18:44
aka. the Tata Aeronca Chief….
as previously said, horses for course….
we have four harvard projects with four different internal colours – all of which are accurate historically but have been chosen for various reasons.
The ‘RAF green’ (which I always call Matt 73 Humbrol fans) is what we chose for ours, dark green seems too oppressive and light grey, popular in the 80’s with US warbird restorers seems to look naff….
its a case of working an ergonomic compromise between anti-glare, not being too damned dark in there (with ‘heat’ consequences too – darker colours absorbing more heat), not ‘interfering’ with flight controls – making them difficult to read etc- and being historically accurate.
‘RAF green’ was found on our birdcage when we were stripping it down so its accurate to the aircraft, plus its a nice compromise between all the aspects I mention above.
doffs cap, retires to bar.
TT
By: low'n'slow - 28th November 2007 at 18:08
Looks like the Pushpak I saw at Priory Farm a year or so ago.
Can’t baffle anyone on this forum for long, can we!! 😉
By: Yak 11 Fan - 28th November 2007 at 17:53
Looks like the Pushpak I saw at Priory Farm a year or so ago.
By: low'n'slow - 28th November 2007 at 17:32
How about a tasteful shade of biege?
Let’s see how quickly anyone can identify what the aeroplane is?? 😀
By: Rocketeer - 28th November 2007 at 16:58
Horses for courses old chap!!
Cockpit green (c1940) was very nice and a good trade off for day/night flying, however, at night suffered from bad reflections in transparencies. The darker green of WW2 US aircraft was good in a similar fashion. Black (matt) of the gen 1 & 2 jets was good for lower reflections at night. Tornados ended up with grey but at first were not NVG (Night Vision Goggle) compatible. You could argue that black would not be particularly nice for IMC flying….as it would tire the eyes.
So it depends on the aircraft role, day/night and what electro optics (if any you plan to use).
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November 28, 2007 at 4:45 pm