Military AI Works

when did RAF fighters start using Barley Grey?

The first aircraft were the F-4s. The first one that was used for the cammo testing was XV474 in 1978, however it started with overall Light Aircraft Grey. I think that it wasn't until '79 that it received what became barley grey.
I believe that it was started to be rolled out in 1980. It was definitely widespread by the time of the Falklands.

N.B. Just found a pic of 474 in test scheme in '79.
http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1024238/

Thanks Steve, my retro set up is late 60s early 70s so its grey / green camo which I really like.

The Barley Grey later became known as Camouflage Grey. There were a couple of anomolies with the introduction of the F-4J(UK) into the RAF Phantom fleet, as some of these came in a Blue-Turquoise finish.

It's true. Those anomalies were due to the fact that the USN painted them in the FS equivalents to the BS colours. The Barley grey nearest equivalent was called Flint Grey.
When the F-4J's went through minors and repainted they came out in the BS colours.

ah I remember making a 1/48 F-4J in RAF markings. At the time there wasn't a Spey powered model available.