Quote:
Originally Posted by yrn_n
I'm not sure why the green color is used (more precisely zinc).
In this area there is only the engine.
I guess it's related to the acceleration rocket that was there.
After a while the zinc color was removed and no longer appeared on the Israeli planes.
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Yaron
The rocket motor mounted under the tail is more common on the French and Swiss Mirage 3 version. It may have been initially delivered to the IAF, but I don't think the IAF used this option ( certainly not common ). It was used as a booster to intercept high altitude bombers so the plane rate of climb was increased. Then you can launch the Matra 530 missile ( which the IAF did not use operationally )
Regarding the green color, there are two possibilities:
1- it is a heat resistant paint to protect the area from the rocket high temperature exhaust.
or
2- this is Zinc Chromate and is used as an anti corrosion paint. The aircraft is then painted again. So normally unless the aircraft underwent repairs ( at Bedek facility of IAI ), that area would be painted and not left with the Zinc Chromate as is.
I think that most likely it is a high temperature painted area and if the rocket is never to be used, then that panel is painted over.
Isaac