Amber tint to front canopy?

[TheThumper]

I am new to the Su-27 and was enjoying a flight on the 104th server and noticed the view out the front of the canopy has an amber tint as compared to the view out the sides. I think amber tint is supposed to help with contrast, but does the real Su-27 have this feature? If so I find it very interesting.

 

Here is a quick video demonstrating what I was seeing:

[dimitrischal]

That’s the anti ice film if I’m not mistaken. Same as the A10

[DarkFire]

In fairness it could be any one (or more) of a number of things:

 

1) Simulated aging of the canopy laminate. Laminates manufactured in the 60's - 80's do yellow gradually.

 

2) Some sort of conductive film designed to avoid increasing the frontal RCS of the aircraft from cockpit reflection.

 

3) Anti-icing film applied to the canopy.

[kobeshow]

In fairness it could be any one (or more) of a number of things:

 

1) Simulated aging of the canopy laminate. Laminates manufactured in the 60's - 80's do yellow gradually.

 

2) Some sort of conductive film designed to avoid increasing the frontal RCS of the aircraft from cockpit reflection.

 

3) Anti-icing film applied to the canopy.

 

1) is the right answer I think. It is mentioned in the differences between J11 and SU27: "The windshield of J-11A improves the manufacturing process, solves the problem of Su-27's windshield turning yellow due to prolonged use."

[Weta43]

Interesting that in every other fashion we receive an Su-27 as fresh as the day it was delivered, but the canopy has discoloured with age...

[DarkFire]

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that the yellow tint is due to a conductive film applied to avoid RCS increase due to cockpit reflection, but I can't remember where or how long ago I read this, so I could be wrong.

[VZ_342]

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that the yellow tint is due to a conductive film applied to avoid RCS increase due to cockpit reflection, but I can't remember where or how long ago I read this, so I could be wrong.

 

I remember reading this is reference to the USN EA-6B, which looks cool as all get-out with gold tinted windows!

 

 

 

Similar canopy question, F-22

[VampireNZ]

Looks like both clear and tinted options are available :-)

[SkateZilla]

I remember reading this is reference to the USN EA-6B, which looks cool as all get-out with gold tinted windows!

 

 

 

Similar canopy question, F-22

 

F-22 and E/A-6B Have Gold tinted Canopies to Reflect Radar Waves .