Visibility

[Motorman]

Is there a way to increase visibility of the airplane other than painting it gloss white? The only time the wind calms down around here is dusk and those last few flights it's hard to see the plane. Background is basically green trees and bushes as I'm right up against a forest.

Thanks,
MM

[Tim Wescott]

If it's dark enough, use a string of LEDs along the fuselage.  Power it with it's own small battery, or if you fly electric see if you can find one to power off of your main battery.

[Paul Walker]

Try dayglo orange paint on the fuselage sides!

Worked for me.

[Brad LaPointe]

Chainsaw  . End of problem .

Brad

[Dan Berry]

Paint the fin white, just like we do with Free Flight planes.

[Howard Rush]

Fluorescent paint works well at dusk.  Even a fluorescent stripe on the side or a fluorescent wingtip can help.  I used a single, bright, directional LED, but judges didn't like it.  

[Pat Chewning]

I find this to be fairly well visible against the trees in the background.

[MikeyPratt]

Is there a way to increase visibility of the airplane other than painting it gloss white? The only time the wind calms down around here is dusk and those last few flights it's hard to see the plane. Background is basically green trees and bushes as I'm right up against a forest.

Thanks,
MM

Hi MM,
Just use a 1 to 1-1/2" stripe down the side of the fuselage for contrast.  It will show up nicely, just don't use a COMO scheme it will disappear in the back ground.
Later,
Mikey

[Steve Helmick]

One of our F1C USA team members (a local, Boeing Engr.) made his wingtips natural balsa (clear epoxy/fiberglass finish) and painted Dayglow Orange checkerboards about 1.5" squares on the entire surface of both wing tips (polyhedral wings). Did not show up well at all. Big panels of white or whatever bright color shows up best. Small stuff like checkerboards or similar graphics...not so much. Problem with Dayglow paints is that most fade quickly. White shows up pretty darned well. You got something against white?    Steve

[Kim Doherty]

It's the nose of the plane that gets to the scene of the accident first. Put a yellow spinner on the nose. By far the easiest to see.

Kim

[Motorman]

I painted my Tanager red thinking it would stand out, big mistake. Red blends with green quite well.

White is just fine. I was wondering if there was a super brilliant white or maybe some sparkly reflective tape or something.

MM

[john e. holliday]

When I was flying RC gliders for fun I used to cover with bright yellow.  After losing site of them a club member said to use platinum Monokote.   Yes it looks dark, but up in the air I never lost it even as a speck in the sky.   

[Guy B Jr]

When I was flying FF, we used to cover the underside of the outboard wing panels in silver monokote. This reflects very well in sunlight while the model is circling.

[Lauri Malila]

When I was flying FF, we used to cover the underside of the outboard wing panels in silver monokote. This reflects very well in sunlight while the model is circling.

..wait untill the model ends up in a tree, then it's not that visible anymore!
Any dark colour bottom is good in FF.

[M Spencer]

" Is That Radio Control . " just as well it had a Ten Minute Tank .

Flying the Phantom at Guy Fawkes in the post Dusk Gloom ( I suppose at 8 O'Clock it COULD be descibed as DARK ),
Two Large Giant Thingo Dogs came bounding into the Center . You Could see them Half Way out , or a bit more ;
This Had Me a Trifle Higher , When Two Tall Dog Owners came wandering Over for a Chat .

After 3 or 4 minutes ( of Figure Eights ) they wandered off , shortly followed by the Dogs .

from This I deduce you cant see dark metallic blue aeroplanes in the dark, unless theyre above the Horizon .
(or tall Dogs or tall dogs masters & mistresses .unless theyre 35 ft. away. 20 clearly  )

A fore & Aft Led , or somesuch , a Landing Light of a 747 Might Help Too , in case theres any Great Danes about .

On a ' dedicated ' field this shouldnt be a problem . But ANY control line field needs a few spotters , unless theres nobody within ten miles .

ARCTIC White is the most Glacial  or White . a silver base coat would help . A Chrome Tape ' pinstrip ' self adhesive thingo along the side(s)
wouldnt hurt any .
Those stupid Glow Sticks cellotaped on are o.k. for night flying, but can come off . So a plane thatll fly ' eyes shut ' is usefull in the dark .