British Airways Announce Historic BOAC Livery for 100th Anniversary

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn) 01/23/2019 at 16:14 • Filed to: wingspan, Planelopnik

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In observance of its 100th anniversary, British Airways will paint one of its 747s in historic British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) l ivery. In getting to the modern British Airways, the company went through a long history of mergers and acquisitions that began with Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited, which opened for business on August 25, 1919. British Airways itself came into being in 1974 with the government-mandated merger of BOAC and British European Airways (BEA). Today, BA is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, and second largest in passengers carried behind discount carrier  easyJet. The retro-liveried 747 will enter service after it returns from the paint shop on February 18, and will remain in service with the historic paint job until at least 2023.

(British Airways)

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facw > ttyymmnn 01/23/2019 at 16:18

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That’s a bit awkward on a 747 (even if they used to use it on 747s )

The VC10 definitely wore it better:

wafflesnfalafel > ttyymmnn 01/23/2019 at 16:22

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cool - wonder what the crash out Brexit is going to do to BA, probably not much?

facw > wafflesnfalafel 01/23/2019 at 16:33

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I think the biggest risk is that the financial services get cut out of the European market, and suddenly there are a lot fewer business travelers to/from London. Really depends on how they exit though. Otherwise, there might be more customs friction, which could make them less desirable for transatlantic routes with a stop, but who knows. Aircraft seem not to be a big issue short term. Long term, I’m sure there’s some impact for Airbus, one imagines it could be problematic for them to pay import duties on components built in the UK. That’s not really a BA specific problem though (especially as most of BA’s long-haul fleet are Boeings).

ttyymmnn > facw 01/23/2019 at 17:05

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Definitely looks more “Speedbirdy” on the VC-10. 

ranwhenparked > ttyymmnn 01/23/2019 at 17:05

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Wonder if they’ll do a licensing deal with Carnival to paint something in Cunard BOAC livery?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > ttyymmnn 01/23/2019 at 17:13

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That’s one upside about the madness surrounding President Trump’s administration: he hasn’t gotten around to repainting Air Force One yet.

ttyymmnn > ranwhenparked 01/23/2019 at 17:18

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No idea.

f86sabre > ttyymmnn 01/23/2019 at 17:19

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From the twitters...

787 in that paint. 

ttyymmnn > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/23/2019 at 17:19

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Let’s hope he doesn’t.

facw > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 01/23/2019 at 17:20

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I think the idea was to start with the new scheme on the new planes (which hopefully gives enough time for the next president to override that terrible decision). If not, I don’t know how big a deal it is to repaint a plane. Honestly though, I’m not sure it is as bad a decision as eliminating the aerial refueling requirement, which while not a big deal for normal operations is the sort of thing where if you need it, you really need it.

ttyymmnn > f86sabre 01/23/2019 at 17:20

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Now THAT is sexy. Love the mask. Especially since that nose is so reminiscent of the Comet.  Somehow, it just wouldn’t look right on an Airbus.

f86sabre > ttyymmnn 01/23/2019 at 17:24

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It would do ok on a 350 I think. 

ttyymmnn > f86sabre 01/23/2019 at 17:25

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That doesn’t count. ;)

ttyymmnn > facw 01/23/2019 at 17:32

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eliminating the aerial refueling requirement

I hadn’t heard about that. Was that the Air Force’s idea, or Boeing’s?

As for changing the livery, I just think you’re messing with something that has become iconic, a symbol of the nation and the Presidency. And, it’s just a gorgeous livery. Can’t imagine how you’d top it.

facw > ttyymmnn 01/23/2019 at 17:37

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Top General Confirms White House Axed New Air Force One’s Aerial Refueling Capability

It was the White House. Trump had singled out the new planes as wasteful, so wanted to do something to cut their costs. But it’s a bit penny wise and pound foolish in my opinion.

As for the paint, Trump is a man with very little taste. He clearly considers the blues wimpy as opposed to a dignified and elegant symbol of power.

ttyymmnn > facw 01/23/2019 at 17:39

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Wait--you mean the current administration made a short-sighted decision? Color me shocked. 

Dogsatemypants > ttyymmnn 01/23/2019 at 17:40

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Still not as sexy as a comet. Brittle skin be damned.

ttyymmnn > facw 01/23/2019 at 17:44

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FTA: But really, if the President wants to really save money than he or she can fly on the E-4B and E-6B replacement aircraft . Eliminate the s Air Force One recap program and the idea of a dedicated Air Force One aircraft altogether.

I would argue that there is something important about the POTUS arriving on an aircraft that isn’t overtly military, even if it is flown by AF pilots and carries discreet  AF markings. We are a nation that is ruled by civilians, not soldiers. I think a non-military aircraft conveys that message.

ttyymmnn > Dogsatemypants 01/23/2019 at 17:45

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No, but look at f86sabre’s reply in this post. He gave an illustration of the 787 in this livery, black mask and all. I thought it looked great, especially since the nose of the 787 is so similar to the nose of the Comet.

facw > ttyymmnn 01/23/2019 at 17:46

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I agree wi th that as well. Though I’ll admit there would be a certain appeal to building a custom cabin to fit inside a B-1 bomb bay.

MattHurting > ttyymmnn 01/23/2019 at 17:55

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Flew in from Miami Beach BOAC, didn’t get to bed last night.

So that’s what that means.

ttyymmnn > MattHurting 01/23/2019 at 18:04

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Yup.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > facw 01/23/2019 at 18:04

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I hadn’t heard about eliminating the midair refueling capability.

He’ll probably paint it gold.

Dogsatemypants > ttyymmnn 01/23/2019 at 18:10

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I used to live near the museum of flight aircraft restoration center. They have a comet in boac livery parked out front, the boeing plant that builds some of the 87's and all of the 47's is right next door. I got to see many a paint scheme.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Dogsatemypants 01/23/2019 at 18:47

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Wow I didn’t know there were any of those still around- weren’t there only a handful made before the problems began?

Dogsatemypants > MiniGTI - now with XJ6 01/23/2019 at 20:54

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It was only after a few years in service that they discovered the issue. But there aren’t many still around.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > ttyymmnn 01/23/2019 at 23:47

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Such a stately beast, that 747.

ttyymmnn > Svart Smart, traded in his Smart 01/24/2019 at 00:06

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Agreed. It will be a sad day when they are all parked.