Whats happening with the 330 order? (updated with pics)

Sorry to put a downer on all this;

!

Regarding the cherry red paint, there is a photo in a similar thread on airliners.net suggesting the new type paint is not sticking very well on an engine cowling and leading edge of the tail fin.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Virgin-A ... 994345e2b2

Perhaps this is why the A330 is in the old style red?

This could also explain why the rudder and engines remained unpainted for so long, fuelling speculation that VS weren't taking the aircraft.

They were just holding off on a decision on which type of paint to use?

The main USP of the new paint and scheme was that it would last 8 years :0 , maybe they read the can wrong and it actually said 8 months!

The new paint is very different in different lights.

Having seen the same aircraft in MAN on a dreary day, where it looked streaky and very poor, then in MCO where it stood out from all the other reds - literally seemed to glow - I can see the advantages on a "sunshine" route. I attempted to take photos to highlight the difference at MCO.

They do not do the paint full justice but do show a much richer red and really do stand out next to other airlines and the old VS livery in sunlight.

The red paint looks a lot shinier in this photo.

And this one.

Regarding the cherry red paint, there is a photo in a similar thread on airliners.net suggesting the new type paint is not sticking very well on an engine cowling and leading edge of the tail fin.

This might explain the lack of progress in repainting the rest of the fleet compared to the rapid programme it was supposed to have been according to management.

Regarding the cherry red paint, there is a photo in a similar thread on airliners.net suggesting the new type paint is not sticking very well on an engine cowling and leading edge of the tail fin.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Virgin-A ... 994345e2b2

Perhaps this is why the A330 is in the old style red?

That's a good point,I never notices the issue before, but I'm thinking could that be an issue specifically with G-VXLG? As both G-VROC and G-VAST seem to not have an issue with the paint. ?|

Regarding the cherry red paint, there is a photo in a similar thread on airliners.net suggesting the new type paint is not sticking very well on an engine cowling and leading edge of the tail fin.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Virgin-A ... 994345e2b2

Perhaps this is why the A330 is in the old style red?

That's a good point,I never notices the issue before, but I'm thinking could that be an issue specifically with G-VXLG? As both G-VROC and G-VAST seem to not have an issue with the paint. ?|

Id noticed the odd paint on VXLG's engine but thought it was just the light in the pic... now having looked at all the pics of VXLG in the new c/s it has actually got the paint missing. Shame if they dont continue to use it as that was about the only part if the new c/s i liked!!

The new A330 looks to me like its got a lighter shade of red on it - and the logo on the tail looks a bit odd to?

Here is the link showing the problem on V-XLG Tail fin.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Virgin-A ... 994345e2b2

Agree the shiny red is the best part of the new colour scheme, but still think the A330 looks great in VS colours whatever the shade of red.

AFAIK one of the 744s had to be taken back for repainting of the tail soon after it was done - but I think that was VROC.

They do seem to have problems with a paint job that had a main selling point of lasting 10 years.

The new paint is more durable so aircraft will only require re-painting once a decade.

Not long after this that Joe Ferry left VS (Head of Design) which did seem a bit strange with the new UC cabins due soon.

Have you noticed how with the lighter red, two engines and no flag lady (yet) she looks like a grown up Virgin America plane?

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Virgin-A ... 1862989/L/

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Virgin-A ... 1862111/L/

Not long after this that Joe Ferry left VS (Head of Design) which did seem a bit strange with the new UC cabins due soon.

Well im not suprised, as if that article is to be believed, he buit the clubhouse in the wrong terminal at LHR!

Not long after this that Joe Ferry left VS (Head of Design) which did seem a bit strange with the new UC cabins due soon.

Well im not suprised, as if that article is to be believed, he buit the clubhouse in the wrong terminal at LHR!

Not a typo either ! It's mentioned as 'T5' THREE times!

Link http://www.airliners.net/photo/Virgin-A ... a15f37be6b
and
Link http://www.airliners.net/photo/Virgin-A ... a15f37be6b
Link http://www.flickr.com/photos/30949611@N ... /lightbox/
Link http://www.flickr.com/photos/bycac/5428708237/
Link http://www.flickr.com/photos/bycac/5428 ... otostream/
Link

it looks really slim in the body...its an anorexic plane! Still looks good though, hope they can get tht metalic paint issue sorted, would look awesome then.

Not long after this that Joe Ferry left VS (Head of Design) which did seem a bit strange with the new UC cabins due soon.

I was intrigued by his remark:

"we’re up against some rather hostile litigation in terms of what we can put inside our aircrafts."

Could this refer to the alleged 'problem' VS have with fitting the new UC suite into the A330?

Not long after this that Joe Ferry left VS (Head of Design) which did seem a bit strange with the new UC cabins due soon.

I was intrigued by his remark:

"we’re up against some rather hostile litigation in terms of what we can put inside our aircrafts."

Could this refer to the alleged 'problem' VS have with fitting the new UC suite into the A330?

Which might explain why most VS employees are very careful not to comment

Interesting regarding the paint issues.

Anyway just to keep the 330 theme alive here are the names of the rest of the fleet:

March 2011 G-VLUV Lady Love
April 2011 G-VGEM Diamond Girl
June 2011 G-VINE Champagne Belle
March 2012 G-VRAY Miss Sunshine
June 2012 G-VWAG Miss England
August 2012 G-VGBR Golden Girl
October 2012 G-VNYC Liberty Bell
November 2012 G-VUFO Lady Stardust

As always some clever names, personally favourites being G-VWAG and also G-VGBR which is very apt given the time of delivery. AS we know the top three will arrive next year post CI/ACMI lease.

[honey lamb]

I'm waiting for G-VGIN Honey Lamb )

I'm waiting for G-VGIN Honey Lamb )

I think it should definitely happen one day!! ^) ^) ^) ^) ^) ^)

+1 to G-VGIN - Honey Lamb. Now where can I vote for this?? hehehe

would they re-use this registration?
they used it on a Boeing 747-243B in 1986

[honey lamb]

+1 to G-VGIN - Honey Lamb. Now where can I vote for this?? hehehe

My, my, CFWV, you ARE a quick learner!

[honey lamb]

would they re-use this registration?
they used it on a Boeing 747-243B in 1986

SPOILSPORT!! ! ! ! ! !