When I was an Air Force officer (way back when in the late 1970's) I was present when some of the old grey heads were discussing a study that the Air Force did -- probably back in the 1950's -- about the topic of paint and visibility.

 

The bottom line was that the most effective surface for visibility was polished aluminum.  A very close second was white.  Since white paint is mush easier for the active duty USAF to maintain than a polished metal surface, they chose white.

 

That is why the T-38 and T-37 were painted white.

 

- Rob Wolf