The first Cheetah D no 845 was painted in an overall dark sea grey colour scheme. All the first Cheetah Ds and even the Cheetah Es, received this colour scheme. Different shades ranging from blue to grey have been noted due to the harsh sunlight and high temperature experienced in South Africa. Some of the early shades apparently faded to an almost grey/pink-purple shade. The grey used in the last three tone scheme of the Mirage F1AZ also faded to this grey/pink-purple shade due to harsh sunlight in a very short time. The SAAF has never used the FS system and the grey in the three tone colour scheme of the F1 AZ actually had a "pink" component. Most photos of the early Cheetahs show a number of different shades of grey and this could also be due to different batches of paint. To portray an early Cheetah D or E, achieving a well-weathered look (note: not dirt but due to the elements) is the biggest challenge to the modeller. For the early single colour paint scheme, the closest FS number for modelling purposes is Dark Sea Grey or FS 36173. Colour tuning is needed to get it to the correct shade.

Even the first Cheetah D featured toned down national markings including all stencilling on the aircraft. The national marking was at first the original castle and springbok insignia. On some aircraft the springbok appeared in gold.  Insignia formed a prominent white castle outline with the rest of the insignia almost invisible due to the over sprayed marking. Ejection seat triangle warnings were in matt red and white. The elevons had a no step footprint in similar style as the Mirage IIIs in prominent matt black with a matt red cross. All other stencilling was toned down. At times stencilling similar to Mirage III stencilling appeared in matt orange buff on some of the aircraft. Fastening screws & rivets which were torqued to specification had a matt red line painted through to ease inspection at maintenance. With the rationalisation in the SAAF the National marking was replaced with the same castle but an eagle replaced the springbok. A pale gold colour was initially used for the eagle, but was later changed to an entire toned down marking. This subsequently was only in outline in matt dark grey. When the Cheetah D was unveiled to public in July 1986 a large heavily toned down 89 Combat FS badge in the form of the "Griffon"(from Greek Mythology), was applied to both sides of the vertical stabiliser. Although most Ds received this badge on both sides of the vertical stabiliser, some D models have been noted at times, without this logo applied. When the aircraft were transferred to 2 Sqn Training Flight the "Griffon" was replaced by a small full colour circular 2 Sqdn badge with matt dark red outline. This was later changed to a smaller badge of a Cheetah with wings in full colour. At this point in time the Ds started to appear in the Air to Ground colour scheme as used on the Cheetah C.

From the first D model a Cheetah logo on both sides of the nose were applied. The Cheetah should "run" towards the nose on both sides. Later an abbreviated serial number appeared on both sides of the nose. The Cheetah D does not carry the abbreviated serial no in front of the windscreen to aid in flight refuelling but the abbreviated serial number do appear on the under carriage front door.

No 845 today serve with TFDC and is the only Cheetah without an inflight refuelling probe fitted. At first the aircraft appeared with the smaller 2 Sqdn badge and toned down springbok National insignia during development work with MUPSOW at TFDC. This was later changed the outlined springbok insignia with TFDC badge in full colour on both sides of the vertical stabiliser. Insignia was again changed to the outlined eagle insignia due to rationalisation in the SAAF. In 2005 the aircraft appeared in the new “Cookie Cutter” National Insignia but two sizes of insignia is applied to top of the left wing. The reason is unknown. The bottom of the nose had a bright orange coloured panel and at times other panels have been noted in the similar colour throughout the aircraft’s career with test flight. At times the aircraft also carry a cannon bay still in the Mirage III colour of sky grey. This has not been noted recently.

The National Insignia of SAAF aircraft again underwent a change due to the new Government of South Africa. During 2004, 2 Sqdn was the first to report to the SAAF all operational aircraft had received the new “Cookie Cutter” insignia with eagle. This insignia is in outline only and initially appear in a very prominent matt black on toned down aircraft. Some Cheetah aircraft were completely repainted, while others only saw the insignia area over painted before the new Insignia was applied. In the latest scheme the Cheetah D also received a false canopy on the bottom of the aircraft, similar to the C. Current Cheetah Ds use the "Air to Ground" colour scheme.

The Cheetah Es followed a similar colour scheme route as the Cheetah D. Most Cheetah Es carried a small 5 Sqdn badge in full colour on both sides of the vertical stabiliser. This was heavily toned down. To stick with tradition, the top of the fin appeared in matt white as this was a trademark of the Sqdn. It did not last very long and was soon replaced in the matt colour scheme. As far as could be established, the Es did not use the reverse diamond pattern. The E model received "Cheetah E" under the logo and the cheetah "run" towards the nose. Later an abbreviated serial number appeared on both sides of the nose and on the front under carriage door.

One Cheetah E no 831 was painted in a special all gold colour scheme to commemorate the 50th anniversary of 5 Sqdn on 21 September 1991. Although the sqdn formed a few years earlier.  The top of the fin appeared in matt white. On both sides of the front fuselage the Cheetah E logo was not over painted with gold but remained on the original grey colour in a trapezium shaped block. 

 At least one Cheetah E no 842 appeared in a different two tone colour scheme. No 842 also feature a false canopy on the bottom of the aircraft and an abbreviated serial number in front of the windscreen on top of the nose.

When the Cheetah C entered service, an entire new colour scheme was introduced. IPMS South Africa was the first to publish specific details of the colour schemes and this info featured in the original Cheetah reference article. Special permission was obtained to publish this info and was due to efforts by members of IPMS SA with the help of model building friends at 2 Sqdn. The Cheetah C colour schemes were published as a service to modellers worldwide to achieve more accurate models. The toned down schemes in use on the C model are in many aspects unique compared to most toned down schemes in use by other fighter aircraft. The shades in use offer a very attractive colour scheme to the modeller.

Colour scheme in use on the Cheetah Cs were finalised during an ACM camp at Hoedspruit during 1993. It was initially planned to equip both 1 and 2 Sqdn with 19 aircraft each. The “Billy Boys” were to receive the so called “Air to Ground” colour scheme and 2 Sqdn the “Air to Air” colour scheme. Aircraft with serial numbers 341 to 359 are painted in the "air to air", colour scheme and 360 to 378, uses the "air to ground" colour scheme. In the end the two sqdns did not materialise and all C models were assigned to 2 Sqdn WITH only around ten Cheetah C models in the “Air to Air” colour scheme.  The actual numbers are not known and actual photos of the aircraft must be consulted. The SAAF does not use the FS system, but for modelling purposes the closest FS numbers are quoted. In addition the Cheetah C uses an abbreviated serial number in front of the windscreen on top of the nose. This is to aid in flight refuelling. However, the D model does not carry the abbreviated serial in front of the windscreen. 

The main component is the use of a single diamond pattern on both the top and bottom of the aircraft which sufficiently breaks up the profile of the aircraft in flight. The two colours fade quickly into each other due to the harsh sunlight and extreme temperatures in South Africa.

Until 2001 all Cheetah Cs featured the toned down springbok national marking in outline only, but this was replaced and by 1995/96 all C models had the outlined castle with eagle applied to the aircraft. However, a few examples retained the old national marking on the wing. On some aircraft both the springbok and eagle could be found.   One notable exception is 351 which always featured the outlined castle with eagle due to its initial service with 2 Sqdn. The National Insignia of SAAF aircraft again underwent a change due to the new Government of South Africa. During 2004, 2 Sqdn was the first to report to the SAAF all operational aircraft had received the new “Cookie Cutter” insignia with eagle. This insignia is in outline only and initially appear in a very prominent matt black on toned down aircraft. Some Cheetah aircraft were completely repainted, while others only saw the insignia area over painted before the new Insignia was applied.

Fastening screws & rivets which were torqued to specification had a matt red line painted through to ease inspection at maintenance. All other markings were toned down and appear in similar style as the Mirage III. The ejection seat warning triangle is in matt red & white. The cheetah logo with flying wings is the only logo in full colour used on both sides of the vertical stabiliser on the Cheetah C.

The Cheetah logo features a "C" symbol as part of the logo, however the cheetah "runs" towards the tail on the port side on the Cheetah C, while the cheetah runs towards the nose on both sides, of the D & E models.  Only one colour is used for the radome on both colour schemes of the C models.

Temporary markings are sometimes applied to the Cheetahs. This includes the name or call sign of the pilot in a small font on the port side of the fuselage below the front windscreen. This has been noted at various weapons camps etc. In addition during the weapons camps, the ground crew apply various graffiti to sections of the aircraft with the use of coloured black board chalk.

Noticeable exceptions on the C models were noted while some aircraft served with TFDC. No 351 which is the fastest in the Sqdn were the first to receive the outlined castle with eagle insignia as the aircraft was in service at TFDC at the time. It is also the only Cheetah with an anti radiation coating on the canopy. No 344 is permanently based at TFDC and carry the TFDC badge in full colour on both sides of the vertical stabiliser. The outlines castle with springbok was changed to the outlined castle with eagle insignia before the change to the latest “Cookie Cutter” insignia. However the aircraft does not carry the twin insignia on top of the wing as seen on the D model of TFDC during 2005. But two TFDC badges in different sizes in full colour are carried on the starboard side of the vertical fin, with the larger badge in full colour on the port side only. The reason is unknown and was first seen in 2005.

Some C and D models have been noted with small wavy SA National flags on the vertical stabiliser. Cheetah D no 844 is such an aircraft and also have additional logos of the engine manufacturer (SNECMA) applied to the aircraft. There are also the remarkable alternative colour schemes of Cheetah C no 342 "Spotty" and the Flag Cheetah – Cheetah C no 370. The "Spotty" colour scheme is regarded as one of the best alternative colour schemes ever applied to any aircraft. See “Spotty” & “Vlaggie”. Prior to this a Cheetah C appeared in 1998 with large “2 SQDN” logos at the bottom of the wing in matt white. The serial no is unknown. A Cheetah D no 861 was the first D model to appear in an alternative colour scheme and was first displayed to the public at the “Centenary of Flight” air show held at the SAAF Museum Swartkop, on 16 August 2003. Very bright gloss colours of 2 Sqdn is used with colours of the National Flag on the vertical stabiliser and a very large number “2” at the bottom of the wing. The entire upper section is finished in gloss colours including the grey with the bottom grey colours in the original matt colours. For more info see the galleries and schematic layouts.  

On both the C & D models the false canopy is not painted flat black but rather a very dark matt grey. Also note the serial number on the Cheetah C is in a different position than the D model.