UK Defence Forum

I think that either the tail portion needs toning down or more detail on the fuselage. A bit too much contrast between the two.
If it had to be UK written it should have been in a dark blue.
Other than that it's OK, not great but not terrible either.

Ron5 wrote:Can someone who knows how, do a poll so we can get a headcount?

Done. Poll added to thread ^

Maybe the wavy blue line should turn into the lightning strike ala a330, agree the united kingdom should be in navy blue or black, I would also put a smaller union flag in front of the uk or near the radome,

But not to shabby, but l think it could very easily confused with a BA plane?

https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/vi ... obal-role/

The aircraft, known as Vespina and also often referred to as 'ZZ336' which is its military registration number, was previously visually indistinguishable from the rest of the Operational Voyager Fleet. This external paint scheme will better reflect its VIP mission and contribution to ‘Global Britain’. The paintwork concludes a refurbishment stemming from the 2015 SDSR.

(Forces TV) 25th June 2020

The RAF Voyager which has been given a £900,000 paint job has landed at Brize Norton. The aircraft, which is used to transport the Prime Minister, royals and senior cabinet ministers, has gone from grey to bright white, with a Union Flag on the aircraft's tail. The words 'United Kingdom' have also been printed on the fuselage in gold. The aircraft flew from Cambridge to RAF Brize Norton earlier today.

ZZ336 "Vespina" has arrived back at RAF Brize Norton. Video:
https://videopress.com/v/VaEbx3wm

Trivia: Vespina is a genus of moths of the family Incurvariidae.

SKB wrote:ZZ336 "Vespina" has arrived back at RAF Brize Norton. Video:
https://videopress.com/v/VaEbx3wm

Trivia: Vespina is a genus of moths of the family Incurvariidae.

Vespina??

OMFG

I agree about the BA comment above but I do think that now we are striking out as an independent United Kingdom we should have a VIP aircraft that clearly shows who, what and where we are on the world stage. Flying the flag is nothing to be ashamed of.

It is a bit too "BA" and agree that the UK text should be darker. Nothing to be ashamed of though, having the flag on the Premier's plane, the US, French, Dutch, German etc do as well

SW1 wrote:

Ron5 wrote:

Jensy wrote:There's two

I count six!

Now up to ten!

There's one atop each wing as well as those underneath, two each side of the nose, and four tiny ones included in the 'RAF logos'.

Have to say, it looks pretty good in the air and the design is growing on me. Can't wait to see it with the Red Arrows.

Jensy wrote:

SW1 wrote:

Ron5 wrote:

Jensy wrote:There's two

I count six!

Now up to ten!

There's one atop each wing as well as those underneath, two each side of the nose, and four tiny ones included in the 'RAF logos'.

Have to say, it looks pretty good in the air and the design is growing on me. Can't wait to see it with the Red Arrows.

6 Union flags and 2 Crowns?

.............

^ For all those people who've said that the Union Flag has been painted backwards or upside-down on ZZ336's starboard (right) side....

I really like it bar the golden United Kingdom, its just too much. That should have been in Black or Navy, & possibly just said Royal Air Force.

Growing on me a lot more especially seeing her refueling F35 and Tiffies

Yeah that refuelling picture is shit hot!

(AIRBOYD) 26th June 2020

Following the arrival of the RAF VIP Voyager to its base at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, post the completion of its smart new paint scheme, the aircraft returned to its primary role supporting operational training today acting as a ‘petrol station in the sky’ offering Air-to-Air refuelling (AAR) to RAF Lightning and Typhoon fighters during Exercise CRIMSON OCEAN.

Russian pilots were allegedly blinded by Vespina's new brilliant-white fuselage and dazzling tail art.

Or perhaps they were thinking "the Brits are so strapped for cash, they are using BA as interceptors"

Its steeling the limelight from the Typhoons! They often post pictures of the fast jets on QRA, but rarely the tanker, that's a good thing for the RAF.

A walk thru of how airbus converts an A330 to an A330 MRTT

https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/stories ... ocess.html

I still think we should modify the core fleet of Voyagers to have Cargo Doors and a AAR Boom. Yes we will only need it for the C-17 and P-8 at present though I am not sure about the E-7, but it would open the way for a F-35A purchase and allow the aircraft to refuel allied aircraft that use this system when conducting Coalition operations.

It would cost money but we are only talking around six or so aircraft and maybe we could have a co-operation agreement with the new NATO MRTT fleet in a similar war to have our E-3Ds were semi included with the NATO E-3s as part of the NATO AEW&C force.

Lord Jim wrote: Yes we will only need it for the C-17 and P-8 at present

Define "need". Not sure there is one.

Not a necessity, but AAR would give them;
Greater Range.
Longer Endurance.
Greater Take Off Weight

Plus we can help refuel all those F-35As and other "Boom required", aircraft that will be arriving in Europe and elsewhere, being good allies and all.