Snacko

Thanks Flappie!  
I was able to get it fixed by starting from a clean stock config folder, and adding my inputs and views folders into that.  and some other files.  Not sure what was causing it still..

I found the problem...
I use a program called DisplayFusion to add some extra features to the windows desktop.  It has an option that moves the mouse cursor to the next monitor even when your mouse is not aligned near the transition between the two monitors.  I had that on.  I caused the External view to 'snap' to the next monitor when it was to the left or right of the other monitor.  So the view jumped horizontally to the monitor, but the vertical was still basically smooth.  Don't know if you follow that, but that's it..

It was the time of day.  My mission was at 06:50am.  I changed it to 11:50am and it was a nice color of deep blue with a tint of green.  But at 06:50am I would still turn that green down, or make it darker.  JMO..
Edit: I also had low (8k feet), scattered 3 clouds, which probably also affected it.

Just FYI..  I had added the AH to a old Nellis mission.  Not sure if that was a problem.    But when I fly the built-in mission 'Takeoff from Runway' it all works fine..