Sky camouflage

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Nikkura

Member
Hello everyone,

a question for more experienced fliers: I am planning to color my drone; which color setup would you recommend to make the drone the least noticeable from the ground in the average weather conditions? (clouds/blue sky) Yes, I know that the noise will still be there, and its in my own interest to keep it in line of sight at all times. I am thinking of a pure white color; would it be the best option? Or the grey/blue pixel-art?

Kind regards,
Nik
 
N

Nikkura

Member
jake, the terrain differs from city-scapes to national parks; that's why I was searching for a universal-average solution. For cloudy and clear sky. I don't really care how it looks from top, since I don't expect it to be hunted by a helicopter, just observation from the ground should be obstructed.
 
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ArmyVet

ArmyVet

Well-Known Member
I would go with Big Bad Orange! I think there is a reason All Coast Guard Planes and Ships use that color to some extent.

Oh wait you want not to be seen.....LOL

But then what does an old Army guy know hahaha
 
ArmyVet

ArmyVet

Well-Known Member
images
 
N

Nikkura

Member
Thank you, ArmyVet :) I was thinking in that direction. Just thought the usecase might be slightly different, since those are designed for observing on a very high speed. I understood that it should be light not bright, desaturated color. What about single color / vs multiple / pixel-art in relation to sky on low speeds?
 
ArmyVet

ArmyVet

Well-Known Member
Single color seems to make sense......but maybe it depends on who you are hiding from.........man or machine.....o_O
 
Gyro Doctor

Gyro Doctor

Electronics Tech for over 45 years
I'd go with a light bluish grey personally. I'd also advise that be the full color too, not just the belly side, so that
sudden visibility isn't "given away" when maneuvers are being done ;)
 
GJH105775

GJH105775

Off and on
Moderator
A blue will do prety well, if you are flying higher in LOS about any sky like color will get lost really quickly.

Just curious, what is the end-goal for this? The overall goal might change the correct answer hahahaha
 
Altsickeness

Altsickeness

Quad Addict
GJH105775 said:
A blue will do prety well, if you are flying higher in LOS about any sky like color will get lost really quickly.

Just curious, what is the end-goal for this? The overall goal might change the correct answer hahahaha
Click to expand...

Hope its not to spy on the neighbor girl. Or advising ISIS operators. That's why I refrained from giving advice.
 
jake8131

jake8131

Well-Known Member
Nikkura said:
jake, the terrain differs from city-scapes to national parks; that's why I was searching for a universal-average solution. For cloudy and clear sky. I don't really care how it looks from top, since I don't expect it to be hunted by a helicopter, just observation from the ground should be obstructed.
Click to expand...

For the bottom I would go with either light grey or light blue.
 
N

Nikkura

Member
GJH105775 said:
A blue will do prety well, if you are flying higher in LOS about any sky like color will get lost really quickly.
Just curious, what is the end-goal for this? The overall goal might change the correct answer hahahaha
Click to expand...
The end-goal is pretty simple:
- reduce the annoyance for others as much as possible
- reduce the change of getting my ass kicked
I travel a lot and since the laws change extremely fast and I don't always manage to make sure that I am aware of all the possible laws, which exist in the region (as if anyone can) - I prefer to launch from a place somewhat in a distant and not that obvious to reduce attention to myself. Therefore if it will be a tiny bit easier for others to lose my UAV from sight - I see it as a benefit.

I don't intend to do anything illegal (to my knowledge), if thats your concern.
 
Altsickeness

Altsickeness

Quad Addict
Nikkura said:
By this logic you shouldn't ever advice anyone, lol. He might it a time-travelling Hitler, you can never be sure
Click to expand...

It appears along with not being very adept at looking into the sky and figuring what colors would match it, you're also not very astute at judging the application of logic and providing viable and sensible examples to support it.

Had you explained your reasons for such a request from the beginning, that may have eased suspicions. I don't know if you know this but ISIS has started using drones for surveillance against coalition forces and there are rumblings of attempts at bombs being strapped to drones.

So no I don't want to help some idiot hide his drone in the sky if there is any chance that it will also aid in the death of others or some other illegal activity.

For instance, I wont help you rig up and fire a mac 10 from a drone platform. Can you follow my logic now?
 
GlassKnees

GlassKnees

Well-Known Member
Wow, I hardly think that ISIS is monitoring this forum in order to get ideas for furthering their nefarious deeds. This being said, I am somewhat concerned about a statement made earlier about flying in national parks or something to that effect. Flying in national parks is strictly verboten. Yeah, I know that that the park rangers do not have jurisdiction over the airspace, but they can still nail you for being a nuisance, and that is what you would be, so I would advise you rethink whatever plans you have that requires camouflaging your aircraft.
 
GJH105775

GJH105775

Off and on
Moderator
I was asking to ease suspicions, as well as trying to make sure that we don't give a poster just enough info to get them in trouble without other info that could help to avoid that. This however was not the only reason I was asking such a question, there are legitimate reasons that I've seen where the person wanted to do a security system where a multirotor would either do a patrol or launch upon command by their IDS. If for example you were flying lower in a forested area only at night the answer would be different than flying only in the day near a beach; there are different correct or more correct answers.

Ultimately if we were to advise someone with info that they intended to use in a way to land them in trouble it is not those who gave them the info, but the one who acts on it (well unless we gave info that was known to be Sensitive/an OPSEC violation/FOUO/PII or Classified, however that is a different conversation). Just trying to make sure that when we 'help' someone we are actually helping them by also providing a disclaimer or additional info regarding the legal matters.

Sorry to have taken the thread off topic. Do you know the setting you will primarily be flying in.
 
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