Why is this plane gray?

[Eclipse]

http://www.paysonroundup.com/news/2016/aug/10/civil-air-patrol-seeks-help-lifesaving-volunteers/

It's a 2011 182T that appears to have been delivered direct from Cessna, so one would assume it shipped in
standard livery from the factory.

If it's getting repainted, why is the N-Number on the plane as it sits in primer?
Is it an old photo the website used?

Maybe someone in AZWG knows?

[DakRadz]

CAPSOC



further redacted

[DakRadz]

The volunteers will help crew the group's new airplane, a turbocharged veteran of the Afghanistan War, where the plane was used to train pilots.

In all seriousness, this may be part of the reason. Article states it was used to train pilots, and also that it is being modified for a window to assist AP/MS use. I imagine some of that magnitude of work would scuff the paint job, but that isn't within my realm of expertise at all.

[arajca]

This is likely one of the aircraft saved from being scrapped in Afghanistan. CAP is getting several. There was money to bring them to the US and remove the Afgan markings, but not to completely repaint them. From what I've heard, as money becomes available, they'll be repainted in the standard CAP livery.

[NIN]

This is likely one of the aircraft saved from being scrapped in Afghanistan. CAP is getting several. There was money to bring them to the US and remove the Afgan markings, but not to completely repaint them. From what I've heard, as money becomes available, they'll be repainted in the standard CAP livery.

^^ This.

we got 6 planes, I believe, for nothing. So it probably was "Take 'em now, once we re-cert them for the US, or it'll cost $X,XXX of unprogrammed money to paint 6 planes. Your choice."

[sardak]

We just received one just like that except for the N-number, the gray color is for the reasons noted. It has the Technisonic radio and RhoTheta DF installed but doesn't yet have the CAP specific placards on the panel, such as "not for hire" and "don't kiss the pilot during snap rolls."

Mike

[sardak]

Why is this plane gray?

Because sometimes company colors aren't desirable.

N206JC
http://www.estesparknews.com/featured_articles/article_bec42a32-59b1-11e6-b442-d768f756182b.html?mode=story

[nomiddlemas]

I personally think they look a lot cooler just grayed out.  Just me. 

[Okayish Aviator]

I personally think they look a lot cooler just grayed out.  Just me.

.
Gray airplanes.... gray..er... missions.

[dbaran]

We're trying to match the airplanes and the uniforms.  You have to wear the white shirt with the gray epaulets to be able to fly in one of these.

[Luis R. Ramos]

And the ABU!

Don't forget the ABU and grey plane combines better than the BDU and grey...

[Eclipse]

Operators don't wear uniforms - beards, plate carrier, and shemagh (with tab underneath) only!

[Luis R. Ramos]

Who is saying the grey planes will be for secret ops only?

Orientation Flights, grey planes; SAR, grey planes... all these missions with grey planes, and crews in W/G or ABUs...

FASHION STATEMENT!

[Spam]

Again, as I'd mentioned in another thread, as a Georgia Boy, gray uniforms and gray airplanes look just about right to me.

CSAF, arise!


*Waiting for someone to bring up Project Yehudi and Compass Ghost.  Come on, AEOs, why are combat aircraft gray, research this, its a great topic!!!


V/R
Spam

[Flying Pig]

One of the avionics shops where I am is refurbing them as they come back.  Being full of sand is one of the issues.  yes, these are coming back from Afghanistan.

[TarRiverRat]

Again, as I'd mentioned in another thread, as a Georgia Boy, gray uniforms and gray airplanes look just about right to me.

CSAF, arise!

I am from NC and have been a War Against Northern Aggression reenactor for 31 years.  So I love the gray paint scheme.  Can I wear the C.S. Civil Air Patrol tapes on my new gray BDUs now?

[nomiddlemas]

I would agree.  Gray plane with cameras all over it looks pretty cool.