Hi all
The most effective camouflage I ever saw was on a British Army Gazelle helicopter, in the Don, one fine day. I was approaching it from the rear and it appeared to be all-black. Naturally, I was curious, wondering who'd brought the all-black Gazelle in to the Don.Bear in mind that a civvie black Gazelle was flying around Ireland at the time(early 90s). It wasn't until I got closer and changed the angle of my approach that I saw that it was a standard green-and-black AAC Gazelle. All the black portions of the colour scheme lined up, directly ahead or aft.**** me, sez I, that's a great scheme, virtually invisible in poor light, so it was. So it proved when I saw several Gazelles at low level around the Border area. The sods were invisible, especially at low level and poor light (dusk) until it was to late for the observer.Which lead me to wonder about all the other green-and-black colours on the British Army's gear. Subsequently, I learned that green is the last colour that that the human eye loses perception of, as light fades. Also, our climate means that our countryside is effectively green and black with the odd bit of brown and occasional yellow or earth shades thrown in. So, the question is, is the plain and simple green-and-black the best camo there is?
Apart from all that, another example of great camo was, when on a visit to Dublin Air Traffic Control Tower, the radar controller pointed out an RAF Nimrod flying along the 12-mile limit, which is also the airspace boundary, give or take, between the UK and Ireland. He then handed me the binocs to see if I could spot it.It was a hot Summer's day, hazy enough, so I looked out to sea, aiming at the Kish lighthouse. Sure enough, there was a Nimrod, down at low-level, cruising along, virtually invisible with it's hemp camouflage.Only for the sun reflecting off it's windscreen, it would have been impossible to spot.
I thought, those Brits are sharp men when it comes to the camo.
Any comments?
regards
GttC
The most effective camouflage I ever saw was on a British Army Gazelle helicopter, in the Don, one fine day. I was approaching it from the rear and it appeared to be all-black. Naturally, I was curious, wondering who'd brought the all-black Gazelle in to the Don.Bear in mind that a civvie black Gazelle was flying around Ireland at the time(early 90s). It wasn't until I got closer and changed the angle of my approach that I saw that it was a standard green-and-black AAC Gazelle. All the black portions of the colour scheme lined up, directly ahead or aft.**** me, sez I, that's a great scheme, virtually invisible in poor light, so it was. So it proved when I saw several Gazelles at low level around the Border area. The sods were invisible, especially at low level and poor light (dusk) until it was to late for the observer.Which lead me to wonder about all the other green-and-black colours on the British Army's gear. Subsequently, I learned that green is the last colour that that the human eye loses perception of, as light fades. Also, our climate means that our countryside is effectively green and black with the odd bit of brown and occasional yellow or earth shades thrown in. So, the question is, is the plain and simple green-and-black the best camo there is?
Apart from all that, another example of great camo was, when on a visit to Dublin Air Traffic Control Tower, the radar controller pointed out an RAF Nimrod flying along the 12-mile limit, which is also the airspace boundary, give or take, between the UK and Ireland. He then handed me the binocs to see if I could spot it.It was a hot Summer's day, hazy enough, so I looked out to sea, aiming at the Kish lighthouse. Sure enough, there was a Nimrod, down at low-level, cruising along, virtually invisible with it's hemp camouflage.Only for the sun reflecting off it's windscreen, it would have been impossible to spot.
I thought, those Brits are sharp men when it comes to the camo.
Any comments?
regards
GttC
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