FighterControl

Didn't post these at the time better late than never.
RC-135S Cobra Ball 61-2662 COMBO59 by XWP29, on Flickr
RC-135S Cobra Ball 61-2662 COMBO59 by XWP29, on Flickr
RC-135S Cobra Ball 61-2662 COMBO59 by XWP29, on Flickr
RC-135S Cobra Ball 61-2662 COMBO59 arrives RAF Mildenhall by XWP29, on Flickr

Cracking quartet there, Nick

Great to see you both last week, btw

Paddy

Hi , just a question why are the engine cowlings black on the starboard wing ? cracking pic. Rob

An excellent set of pictures of a rarely seen airframe against a very atmospheric cloudscape particularly your second shot.

Hunter49 wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 16, 2025 12:50 pm

Hi , just a question why are the engine cowlings black on the starboard wing ? cracking pic. Rob

One of the Cobra Ball's missions is optical tracking of missile tests so the black finish is probably intended to supress glare from the wing and engine pods - some open source background reading here: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/weapo ... s/rc-135s/

Hunter49 wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 16, 2025 12:50 pm

Hi , just a question why are the engine cowlings black on the starboard wing ? cracking pic. Rob

Hi Hunter,
Thanks, in addition to Richards post I understand that the equipment that required the black wing and engines to reduce interference has been retired some time ago. The black paint is said to remain as part of the tradition that denotes the particular airframes.
Official USAF page I:
https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets ... obra-ball/