Abstract: An improved color display system employing a beam penetration type cathode-ray tube with rapid color switching. The screen electrode is separated from the accelerating electrodes without the use of an isolating mesh so that the voltage applied to the screen electrode is switched across only a relatively small capacitance. The invention may be used in conjunction with either magnetic or electrostatic deflection beam penetration cathode-ray tubes as well as either magnetic or electrostatic focus tubes. Such display systems may be used for radar type random access or scanned raster type displays.