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Please explain



 
 
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  #1  
Old November 11th 03, 12:11 PM
T3
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Default Please explain

I used to live on a lake just south of Orlando International Airport(just
outside the departure zone) on almost a straight line between Jax NAS and
the Avon Park bombing range, about 20 miles from our house. We were privy to
all kinds of aircraft,form 'Bones' to F-15's, F-14's FA/18's, A-6's, A-10's
and some we couldn't recognize. The A-10's were our favorites, though the
B-1B's were awesome. One evening about 7 years ago (around twilight) as I
was docking my boat, a single F/A18 was dropping to attack altitude at what
appeared to be mil speed and as he came by(approx200ft on the left) I
noticed what appeared to be an iridescent green box just forward and under
of the canopy on the left side. As a 30 year aircraft mechanic for Pan Am it
has always bothered me that I had no valid explanation for it. Was it an
anomaly or was I just hallucinating after catching no fish, if there are any
F/A18 drivers out there who can tell me without betraying any secrets, and
solve this mystery of mine, I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance

George


  #2  
Old November 11th 03, 02:53 PM
BUFDRVR
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I
noticed what appeared to be an iridescent green box just forward and under
of the canopy on the left side.


Sounds like formation lighting. There should have been a stripe on his
vertical stab as well.


BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"
  #3  
Old November 11th 03, 06:01 PM
user
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I think you're right BUFDRVR. Additionally with the continuing push
and installs of NVS, they won't be used very much at all in tactical
situations.

On 11 Nov 2003 13:53:28 GMT, (BUFDRVR) wrote:

I
noticed what appeared to be an iridescent green box just forward and under
of the canopy on the left side.


Sounds like formation lighting. There should have been a stripe on his
vertical stab as well.


BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"


  #4  
Old November 11th 03, 06:53 PM
Chad Irby
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Default

In article ,
"T3" wrote:

One evening about 7 years ago (around twilight) as I was docking my
boat, a single F/A18 was dropping to attack altitude at what appeared
to be mil speed and as he came by(approx200ft on the left) I noticed
what appeared to be an iridescent green box just forward and under of
the canopy on the left side. As a 30 year aircraft mechanic for Pan
Am it has always bothered me that I had no valid explanation for it.


Look at this photo:

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-18-bnd980501219.jpg

See the three rectangles just under the number "731" on the nose?

Those are electroluminescent lights, used for formation flying at night.
They put out a mild greenish-yellow glow.

They're related to the EL backlights seen on watches.

--
cirby at cfl.rr.com

Remember: Objects in rearview mirror may be hallucinations.
Slam on brakes accordingly.
  #5  
Old November 11th 03, 08:22 PM
user
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Default

Great picture Chad,
I'm thinkin that with NVS, the lights are blue? Not sure, but it would
make sense. I know before NVS came out the formation lights were all
green, but this would overdrive and blind NVG's. Wouldn't changing the
lights to blue be part of the NVS mod, or do they just keep em turned
off?

On Tue, 11 Nov 2003 17:53:26 GMT, Chad Irby wrote:

In article ,
"T3" wrote:

One evening about 7 years ago (around twilight) as I was docking my
boat, a single F/A18 was dropping to attack altitude at what appeared
to be mil speed and as he came by(approx200ft on the left) I noticed
what appeared to be an iridescent green box just forward and under of
the canopy on the left side. As a 30 year aircraft mechanic for Pan
Am it has always bothered me that I had no valid explanation for it.


Look at this photo:

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-18-bnd980501219.jpg

See the three rectangles just under the number "731" on the nose?

Those are electroluminescent lights, used for formation flying at night.
They put out a mild greenish-yellow glow.

They're related to the EL backlights seen on watches.


  #6  
Old November 11th 03, 09:46 PM
BUFDRVR
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Posts: n/a
Default

I'm thinkin that with NVS, the lights are blue? Not sure, but it would
make sense. I know before NVS came out the formation lights were all
green, but this would overdrive and blind NVG's.


Actually Green lighting is better than Blue lighting for NVGs. Anything with
shades of Red light (Green + Red = Blue) will wash out the NVGs.


BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"
  #7  
Old November 11th 03, 10:46 PM
Chad Irby
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Posts: n/a
Default

In article ,
user wrote:

I'm thinkin that with NVS, the lights are blue? Not sure, but it would
make sense. I know before NVS came out the formation lights were all
green, but this would overdrive and blind NVG's. Wouldn't changing the
lights to blue be part of the NVS mod, or do they just keep em turned
off?


I haven't seen them on recent planes, but it's not a hard modification
to make - just a different formula in the EL panels.

--
cirby at cfl.rr.com

Remember: Objects in rearview mirror may be hallucinations.
Slam on brakes accordingly.
  #8  
Old November 11th 03, 11:10 PM
James Hart
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Posts: n/a
Default

BUFDRVR wrote:
I'm thinkin that with NVS, the lights are blue? Not sure, but it
would make sense. I know before NVS came out the formation lights
were all green, but this would overdrive and blind NVG's.


Actually Green lighting is better than Blue lighting for NVGs.
Anything with shades of Red light (Green + Red = Blue) will wash out
the NVGs.


Green + Red = Blue???
Mind boggles.

--
James...
http://www.jameshart.co.uk/


  #9  
Old November 12th 03, 03:22 AM
T3
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Default


"Chad Irby" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"T3" wrote:

One evening about 7 years ago (around twilight) as I was docking my
boat, a single F/A18 was dropping to attack altitude at what appeared
to be mil speed and as he came by(approx200ft on the left) I noticed
what appeared to be an iridescent green box just forward and under of
the canopy on the left side. As a 30 year aircraft mechanic for Pan
Am it has always bothered me that I had no valid explanation for it.


Look at this photo:

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-18-bnd980501219.jpg

See the three rectangles just under the number "731" on the nose?

Those are electroluminescent lights, used for formation flying at night.
They put out a mild greenish-yellow glow.

They're related to the EL backlights seen on watches.

--
cirby at cfl.rr.com

Remember: Objects in rearview mirror may be hallucinations.
Slam on brakes accordingly.




That's it! One mystery solved, Thanks.
T3


  #10  
Old November 12th 03, 03:23 AM
BUFDRVR
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Posts: n/a
Default

Green + Red = Blue???
Mind boggles.


hmm, doesn't it? I have an idiglo Timex that has a blue light, I was told by
the NVG instructor in my squadron that it would work well enough, but would
have been better if it were green. He then gave me that exact line I gave you
above, anything with shades of red in it will tend to wash out NVGs. Anyone out
there have a clue better than mine? Any color spectrum experts?


BUFDRVR

"Stay on the bomb run boys, I'm gonna get those bomb doors open if it harelips
everyone on Bear Creek"
 




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