1
$\begingroup$

Today I saw an image of a couple of Raptors parked at Spangdahelm AFB and I noticed that one of the Raptors in the image had Golden-tinted canopy glass while the other one had orange-tinted Canopy Glass. I've also seen some images of F-22s at Elmendorf with the orange/reddish canopy glass tint similar to that of the F-35s canopy. I always thought the raptor had the gold tint, but this picture proves it wrong because it's pretty clear to see the difference in tint at the same angle. I'm also curious if it's ever been stated which chemical is used for the orange/pinkish tint since it's been said previously that the gold tint used on some raptors is Indium Tin Oxide.

enter image description here

enter image description here

enter image description here

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
6
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ What's the original source of your bottom photo? Looks like cgi to me; is it? $\endgroup$
    – Ralph J ♦
    Sep 14, 2022 at 16:36
  • $\begingroup$ @RalphJ I really thought so too, but it's from real DoD footage: see here at timestamp 3:14. The still image is heavily postprocessed with dynamic contrast compared to the video. $\endgroup$
    – TypeIA
    Sep 14, 2022 at 20:49
  • $\begingroup$ I would think that the differences in the first picture could be explained by differences in cloud cover. You'd be shocked at what the slightest change in lighting will do to a photograph. Even the light bouncing off the side of 088 will effect the color of the reflection on 079's canopy. $\endgroup$
    – FreeMan
    Sep 15, 2022 at 14:29
  • $\begingroup$ @FreeMan since I didn't want to post the full picture because it would make the Raptors look harder to see, but there is a full image with 4 Raptors in the picture (2 just cropped out in this image) 1 raptor too had the orange tint and the other next to it had a gold tint. I don't think it would be clouds considering those two cropped out were further away from these with the same tints. $\endgroup$
    – M66
    Sep 15, 2022 at 20:02
  • $\begingroup$ @FreeMan sidenote: I found a vid that shows the Raptors landing in germany with obvious differences in tint despite weather. youtu.be/AAf_dTVcoms $\endgroup$
    – M66
    Sep 15, 2022 at 20:09

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2
$\begingroup$

No, all canopies manufactured for the F-22A aircraft are done in an identical fashion. It’s just lighting reflecting off the canopy at different angles, different backgrounds behind them, etc.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ There is a video of the f-22s landing and taxiing with obvious differences in tint same weather and same timing (check my response to FreeMan). I'm aware all Raptors had the Indium tin Oxide tint from the start of manufacturing, but I'm still not convinced this orange tint appearence is in the case of lighting. I'd assume the raptor has received some sort of RCS related upgrades recently, and if you notice there aren't as many recently taken images of F-22s with golden canopies unlike back then. $\endgroup$
    – M66
    Sep 16, 2022 at 3:47
  • $\begingroup$ Look carefully in a lot of these videos and photographs, you’ll notice that the aircraft with a darker tint to the canopy are also placed in front of a darker background. I suspect this has a dramatic effect on how the camera captures light from the canopies. $\endgroup$
    – Carlo Felicione
    Sep 16, 2022 at 6:20

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .