Painting of the GV was completed by Savannah Air Center (SAC) personnel on Wednesday, 22 December. After an intensive sanding, priming, and painting effort that began on 24 November, HIAPER now bears the final color and logo scheme that was designed by Lindsay Boatright of the SAC.

The GV will now be returned to the completion hangar at the SAC, where work to install the interior and the intercommunication system (ICS) will be completed. After final ground testing and the submission of reports to the FAA, HIAPER will undergo flight testing in early February before delivery to UCAR/NCAR in mid-February.

Visit the photo gallery for pictures of the painting of the GV at the Savannah Air Center.