[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by Cavtanker

Anyways, I had read in a book many years ago that the bright colorful schemes actually make it easier for heat-seeking missiles to lock on to an aircraft.

That sounds like total , but I'm no expert....

...and if it is true, I want to know why that would be...

[David Hingtgen]

Operation Enduring Freedom:

Among the leading strikers were VFA-105 and VF-2's CAG planes, which at the time were also about the two most colorful planes in the entire Navy. They intentionally flew their CAG planes on as many "down low and up close to the enemy" missions as possible to prove that it didn't make a difference in most situations and that they should be allowed to use as much color as they want on their planes.

Look at the bomb tallies:

[Shawn 507]

Wish my VF-2 Hornet had those markings on it.