Goodly morning all...

Old girl is off to church to get saved and I am free for a hour or so...

Was at the bugsmasher field yesterday and this topic came up with some great ideas amongs some old retired rocking chair flying geezers.    

Topic:  International orange and white checkerboard markings related to aviation.  Where did the idea come from and when did it start?

Answers:  At least some thoughts anyways.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/publications/tp14371-aga-6-0-3096.htm

Transport Canada and the American FAA paint some navigational aids like VORs and their buildings in the international orange and white checkerboard markings.

Power Line Towers, towers which carry hydor lines across bodies of water like rivers are marked in the international orange and white markings.

Power Line Towers which are close to an approach to airports and airport runways are marked in the international orange and white markings.

All lighted poles and line carrying poles on flight lines, military and commercial are painted in international orange and white markings.

Many military and civilian hangar roofs were painted in the international orange and white checkerboard markings to aid aviators.

Airfield Control Towers were painted in the international orange and white checkerboard markings to aid the aviator as light signals were used because some aircraft had no radios.

At one time aircraft landed in a landing circle rather than on a runway and a large wooden arrow on the ground painted in international orange and white checkerboard markings was used for wind direction to aid the aviators.

Water Towers were painted with the international orange and white checkerboard design with the name of the village, town or city on the water tower.  Perhaps this was to aid aviators as well.  Not sure.

FURTHER THOUGHTS BUT NOT SUPPORTED WITH FACTS

The Purina Feed Company in the United States might have had some barn roofs painted red and white in the checkerboard design for advertising.
But:
Around our area I have only seen some barns with the red and white checkerboard Purina Trademark painted on the road side of the barn.  Not all that large either, about the size of a garage door to a home.

http://www.purinamills.com/ourheritage/default.aspx

Some thought was also given to some farm barn roofs being painted red and white checkerboard during the early mail flights in the United States to help the avaitors with navigation.  Not sure how true that was either.

Conclusion:
I have not found much information on the painting of farm barn roofs in international orange and white checkerboard markings for aviation use.

Not entirely sure when or where the international orange and white checkerboard design did come from.

Perhaps this international orange and white checkerboard design started somewhere in Europe or part of the United Kingdom.

Comments and advice most welcome...

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

Flying Trucker wrote on Nov 21^st, 2010 at 11:28am:

I don't recall seeing anything painted like this in the UK. Obstructions like buildings & chimneys over a certain height have to be be fitted with warning lights.

Flying Trucker wrote on Nov 22^nd, 2010 at 12:43pm:

Windsocks used to be yellow.

I just discovered that International Orange is the name of the colour shade, like Navy Blue. Never heard it called that before. http://goldengatebridge.org/research/facts.php#PaintedIntnlOrange

When I was in town today I spotted the jib of a construction crane is painted orange & white. First time I've noticed it.

Hagar wrote on Nov 22^nd, 2010 at 4:45am:


There are a few:

http://www.century20war.co.uk/page22.html

In my experience, in the UK it tends to be confined to vehicles and structures which are closer to active runways - namely runway caravans (the place where historically a Cpl sits and fires a red verey if your wheels aren't down!) and navigational/instrument approach aid huts and buildings. Air Trg Corps glider control caravans tend to have them too.

Thanks "C" for the link...great site and good read...

Thanks Doug, I remember most Royal Canadian Air Force vehicles being that blue/grey colour.  (There was a name for that colour but can not remember it).

Shall keep searching for information on the international orange and white checkerboard markings....

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

Another site for info I found.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/regserv/cars/part6-standards-62119-2447.ht...



" 3.1.1 Standard Colours of Paint

Alternate sections of international orange (hereafter to be referred to as "orange") and white paint provide maximum visibility of an obstruction by contrast of colours.

Subject to section 3.1.2, where alternate sections of orange and white paint markings are required under these standards, the colours of paint markings should conform with the United States Federal Standard FED-STD-595, namely:

(a) Orange no. 12197; and

(b) White no. 17875.  "

That is another good site Steve...thanks...

Thanks for the links Doug...

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

Play nice you two or we shall take away your rubby ball...

I just noticed several mobile air traffic control trailers that were painted international orange and white instead of the checkerboard design.  They look like new.

I wonder if the checkerboard design is too expensive or that the larger amount of international orange is easier to see.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug