Viper Demo Team Releases New Livery Titled “Venom”

Moments ago (May 8th), the United States’ F-16 Viper Demonstration Team released their first-ever full-airframe signature livery.

First released via social media by the team’s pilot, Major Garret Schmitz, this eye-catching design features snake scales spanning the entirety of the aircraft with two unflinching eyes under the canopy which pay a fitting tribute to the F-16’s namesake, the Viper.

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World, meet Venom. Venom, meet the World. I think you’re going to like each other. #viperdemoteam #venom

A post shared by Maj Garret “Toro” Schmitz (@toroschmitz16) on May 8, 2020 at 10:29am PDT

According to the team’s official Instagram page, this unique livery has been in the works since December 2019. While the team had teased a big announcement coming up, there were no credible claims regarding this unique new look. Scheduled to be finished in March of this year, the team states that production was slowed to ensure the safety and well-being of the production crews working on the aircraft due to the COVID-19 virus.

Titled, ‘VENOM,’ this mean-looking aircraft will be seen throughout the remainder of the 2020 airshow season. It is currently unknown what the future holds for the team which is currently not performing publically due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

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We have been working on something special since December 2019 for the 2020 airshow season. While it was scheduled to be completed in March, due to the covid pandemic we paused production to ensure the safety of our crews, but we're now proud to introduce you to 'VENOM'. The snake scales across the body of the aircraft fit the namesake of the jet and our signature black and yellow colors feature prominently from nose to tail. We wanted to undertake this project to make a special experience for our fans across the country and to inspire patriotic Americans to serve in the @usairforce. Thank you to our wingmen at @ShawAFB corrosion for sharing the enthusiasm for our design and making it a reality. We can't wait to see @toroschmitz16 #sendit in #venom ! @aircombatcommand @usaf_recruiting

A post shared by F-16 Viper Demonstration Team (@viperdemoteam) on May 8, 2020 at 10:33am PDT

The Viper Demo Team is the second team to have a dedicated special livery in recent history, second only to the A-10C Demonstration Team in 2019 with their ‘Heritage Jet’ design based on the notorious P-51 Mustang. It is unclear at this time if the Viper Demo Team’s ‘VENOM’ scheme will live on after the 2020 airshow season concludes.

Ryan Moran

Ryan Moran has been involved in the airshow industry for several years now. He specializes in both aviation and performing arts photography. Based out of Indianapolis, IN, USA, he currently is an aerial events journalist with Talking Aero.