Federal Express (FedEx) 727 Livery history (1978-2013)

Purpleplane

Well-known member
The Boeing 727 served FedEx very well for 35 years. Although there were only 2 basic paint schemes over those years, there were actually several variations of each scheme.

1. Delivery (1978-1979)
N104FE L.jpg

The first scheme featured the traditional "Purple Top" scheme. Note that the windows are only blanked out where the Federal Express titles are, and also that registration is below the window line in black.

2. 1979-1981.
N111FE L.jpg

This is what I would call "the 737 era". When Federal Express took delivery of it's 5 737-2S2Fs in 1979, there was a slight variation in the paint scheme: all windows were retained, the titles were slightly smaller and placed below the window line, and the registration was placed above the window line in white. N111FE shown above was delivered in April 1979 in this scheme, along with several of the ex-Eastern 727-25Cs that came on board in 1979 and early 1980.

3. 1982-1984
N107FE L.jpg

Not long after the 737s were sold off, the original scheme was used again, with the only exception being that the registration now appeared on the #2
engine intake in white:
4. 1984-1990
N111FE L 1.jpg
This is what I would call the "classic" purple top scheme shown again on N111FE...all windows are now blanked out, the registration is still on the #2 engine intake in white, and the U S flag has been added.

5. Changes are coming 1991-1994.N114FE.jpg
N114FE illustrates the final Purple top scheme..in 1991 a small "FEDEX" was added to the tail with "FED" in purple and the "EX" in orange.

6. A new era 1994-2013
N166FE R.jpg


On June 23, 1994 a brand new paint scheme was introduced as well as the official new name FedEx, shortened from Federal Express. As shown on N166FE there is also a small "Federal Express" under the "Ex".

7. "Federal" is removed. (1999-2000)
N461FE.jpg
As shown on N461FE, the "Federal Express" has been replaced with just "Express" in a much larger size, so now it just reads as FedEx Express.

8. the final variation (2008)
N203FE L.jpg

As shown on N203FE, the font has been changed to a simpler style...even though the 727s have been retired since 2013, this is still the current standard fleet-wide.

I hope everyone enjoys this and please let me know if there are any errors, will make corrections as needed.
 
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The Boeing 727 served FedEx very well for 35 years. Although there were only 2 basic paint schemes over those years, there were actually several variations of each scheme.

1. Delivery (1978-1979)
View attachment 12628

The first scheme featured the traditional "Purple Top" scheme. Note that the windows are only blanked out where the Federal Express titles are, and also that registration is below the window line in black.

2. 1979-1981.
View attachment 12630

This is what I would call "the 737 era". When Federal Express took delivery of it's 5 737-2S2Fs in late 1979, there was a slight variation in the paint scheme: all windows were retained, the titles were slightly smaller and placed below the window line, and the registration was placed above the window line in white. N111FE shown above was delivered in April 1979 in this scheme, along with several of the ex-Eastern 727-25Cs that came on board in late 1979 and early 1980.

3. 1982-1984
View attachment 12631

Not long after the 737s were sold off, the original scheme was used again, with the only exception being that the registration now appeared on the #2
engine intake in white:
4. 1984-1990
View attachment 12627
This is what I would call the "classic" purple top scheme shown again on N111FE...all windows are now blanked out, the registration is still on the #2 engine intake in white, and the U S flag has been added.

5. Changes are coming 1991-1994.View attachment 12632
N114FE illustrates the final Purple top scheme..in 1991 a small "FEDEX" was added to the tail with "FED" in purple and the "EX" in orange.

6. A new era 1994-2013
View attachment 12642


On June 23, 1994 a brand new paint scheme was introduced as well as the official new name FedEx, shortened from Federal Express. As shown on N166FE there is also a small "Federal Express" under the "Ex".

7. "Federal" is removed. (1999-2000)
View attachment 12625
As shown on N461FE, the "Federal Express" has been replaced with just "Express" in a much larger size, so now it just reads as FedEx Express.

8. the final variation (2008)
View attachment 12624

As shown on N203FE, the font has been changed to a simpler style...even though the 727s have been retired since 2013, this is still the current standard fleet-wide.

I hope everyone enjoys this and please let me know if there are any errors, will make corrections as needed.
Very nice writing!
 
True, they are. And I think AC has the only active 727-100 mould
Yep. Dragon doesn’t make much in 1:400, and most of what they do make are spacecraft. I think they still have their 747 mould, but it certainly doesn’t see much use. I’d be willing to bet the old Herpa casting is sitting around somewhere, but realistically I doubt we will see another model anytime soon. While others may disagree, I personally love the AC -100 mould, and as long as the wing seam is tight, I’m happy to buy them.
 
I do like the AC 727-100 mould also, but I also liked the Gemini 727-100. I know some will disagree, but that's OK. I also prefer the Gemini 727-200 mould over the AC 727-200. The #2 engine tailpipe is a bit large on the AC. Both are acceptable to me though, I have several AC 727-200's also.
 
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