Red Paint Question

I have just returned from Miami. Could see Mustang Sally from the Hilton pool area yesterday afternoon. The new livery looks great - has really grown on me. The previous schemes look very dated now. Also saw a white A340 at heathrow this morning. Guess it must be VSEA - is it still flying?

Also saw a white A340 at heathrow this morning. Guess it must be VSEA - is it still flying?

I wonder could it have been an SAA A340? VS don't tend to fly planes out of livery. link

So, has G-VSEA / Plain Sailing left the fleet? I see she went to Manila on Sunday, and from this thread left in all white paint. A shame on the one hand, I've pretty much flown everywhere on Plain Sailing over the years, but good news because it marks a change from old to hopefully new next year.

I must have missed a thread too, I didn't know that Jetstreamer was in storage (I see in Lourdes after another trip to Manila).

So both of the oldest 343s now gone?

Yes a staffer did advise us they were both going

Yes a staffer did advise us they were both going

Yes, I did know they were going, but believed that to be the end of the year, surprised they've gone just as we enter the summer season!

Wonder if the A333 fiasco has been worked out and whether we're on track to see LHR configured birds with new UCS in 2012!

Yes, I did know they were going, but believed that to be the end of the year, surprised they've gone just as we enter the summer season!

The two A346's that were in storage were brought back into service earlier in the year, imagine that has allowed these two to be retired!

I'm not sure it was SAA as it had no titles that I could see. It was parked opposite T3 near to where other Virgin planes park when not flying - think SAA are now T1. Quick question - whenever I fly a 747 it always seems to be VBIG - checked before my flight as to whether it was and it hasn't flown since the 18th, but appears to be at Heathrow - anyone know what's happened to her.

Looks like G-VWOW could be the next one. Left LHR on a positioning flight to somewhere, just not sure where yet!

I'll track it on the radar once its airborne .

Looks like G-VWOW could be the next one. Left LHR on a positioning flight to somewhere, just not sure where yet!

I'll track it on the radar once its airborne .

Looks like it's landing in Amsterdam right now.

Yep - Proved me wrong!

Any more gone into the paint shop yet?

Doesn't look like it. My bet is on VTOP going in about September time. The last 747 in the 2000 livery and in bad need of a repaint. Then i'd say some of the 346's as most of those are in the 2000 livery. I think all of the 343's are now in the new colours?

I think all of the 343's are now in the new colours?

Only VELD and VAIR are in the new livery.

I think all of the 343's are now in the new colours?

Only VELD and VAIR are in the new livery.

I thought VSEA and VHOL have left the fleet though?

I think all of the 343's are now in the new colours?

Only VELD and VAIR are in the new livery.

I thought VSEA and VHOL have left the fleet though?

Yes but there's still VFAR and VSUN left in the fleet - neither of which have the new livery.

VFAR will be in the 2000 scheme, VSUN in the updated scheme without the purple on the tail, with VELD & VAIR in the latest livery... patchwork fleet!

Yes but there's still VFAR and VSUN left in the fleet - neither of which have the new livery.

Thought there must of been more than 2 left!

It looks like G-VHOL was de-registered today (18/8/2011)with a change of owner in progress.

Link here http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?c ... gmark=VHOL

It seems G-VSEA is still on the VS books.

When airlines apply new liveries often the tail sections are the last to be done due to the technicalities of what is called 'balancing'. Any new livery and the associated paint scheme has subtle changes in weight and therefore the tail section (specifically the rudder and the vertical stabiliser) have to be removed and re-balanced. The re-balancing alone can cost upward of £30k excluding any materials cost. Also if it's any help it will all depend on where the livery is done - the paint specification will be the same but variation does occur unless all equipment is re-branded in the same location (unlikely with this fleet). Hope this helps.

A nice moody photo

Looking good!! ^)

Still wish they had the flags on the wing tips!

I was wondering where G-VROC (Mustang Sally) disappeared to...we flew on her to Miami and then *poof* she was gone

I was wondering where G-VROC (Mustang Sally) disappeared to...we flew on her to Miami and then *poof* she was gone

According to the aircraft database she is in AMS which is where VA send the 747s for their 'heavy checks'

She's been there since the 16th of last month so thats the most likely explanation.

Thanks for the info Tonty, you are a pool of knowledge. y)

Thanks for the info Tonty, you are a pool of knowledge. y)

You can keep track of where individal planes are by using the 'aircraft database' in 'the toolbox' |:) |:)