What a memory, I really hope you enjoyed that!
Southwest special schemes part 1
- Thread starter Purpleplane
- Start date
Purpleplane
Well-known member
Thank you. I did, and I also saw the FedEx 767-3S2F N277FE with the "100th FedEx 767" sticker land about 20 minutes after FreedomOne landed. It was one of N277FE's first revenue flights.
Oh that is so cool, I’m sure you loved that, FedEx is awesome!
Purpleplane
Well-known member
Yes, I did enjoy that. FedEx had a grand total of 1 flight a day to IND when I hired in there in 1979. There are now more than 105 on weekdays between the night, sunrise, and day sorts.
Talk about progression! Super excited visit one day, it seems like a super nice place!
Purpleplane
Well-known member
Yes, it is. FedEx is especially busy on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Saturdays are great too..full day sort.
Jazajia
Well-known member
Very informative, thanks for posting this again here, it allowed me to take a fresh look at the progression of the Southwest special liveries. My favorite one is Shamu in the mustard rocket colors as it was the first one I saw back in the mid-nineties during my first visits to Houston. It was always nice to catch the orca flying around the Houston sky lining up for 12R at Hobby. There was a nice model shop in a tourist area of Houston at the time that carried Herpa 1:500s, I got a model of Shamu and the Silver One from them.
Here is a picture I took N334SW in the canyon blue colors landing at Hobby Jul 26, 2012. Probably the last time I saw it. I did not know it was still the original Shamu; after all those years I would have thought the livery had transitioned to another airframe. Very cool it didn't.
Here is a picture I took N334SW in the canyon blue colors landing at Hobby Jul 26, 2012. Probably the last time I saw it. I did not know it was still the original Shamu; after all those years I would have thought the livery had transitioned to another airframe. Very cool it didn't.
Purpleplane
Well-known member
Thank you for sharing. Beautiful photo.
Epic shot! Hope you had a great spotting day!
OscarBravo992
Well-known member
Very nice! The Shamu scheme looks excellent with the Canyon blue tail, better than the Desert gold in my opinion.Very informative, thanks for posting this again here, it allowed me to take a fresh look at the progression of the Southwest special liveries. My favorite one is Shamu in the mustard rocket colors as it was the first one I saw back in the mid-nineties during my first visits to Houston. It was always nice to catch the orca flying around the Houston sky lining up for 12R at Hobby. There was a nice model shop in a tourist area of Houston at the time that carried Herpa 1:500s, I got a model of Shamu and the Silver One from them.
Here is a picture I took N334SW in the canyon blue colors landing at Hobby Jul 26, 2012. Probably the last time I saw it. I did not know it was still the original Shamu; after all those years I would have thought the livery had transitioned to another airframe. Very cool it didn't.
I like this opinion.
Jazajia
Well-known member
"Desert Gold" vs. "Mustard Rocket" question...
My understanding was that Southwest original livery was referred to as "mustard rocket." I thought it came from its matte finish and the rocket sound produced by the JT8Ds on the 737-200s. Then I thought desert gold was the name given to their retro aircraft painted in the "mustard rocket" colors but with a sparkly finish. Is this correct? Also, I'm noticing now that even during the "mustard rocket" era, special livery aircraft incorporated a sparkly finish on the "mustard" elements of the livery, making them special liveried aircraft on a "desert gold" base during the "mustard rocket" era. Is this correct?
My understanding was that Southwest original livery was referred to as "mustard rocket." I thought it came from its matte finish and the rocket sound produced by the JT8Ds on the 737-200s. Then I thought desert gold was the name given to their retro aircraft painted in the "mustard rocket" colors but with a sparkly finish. Is this correct? Also, I'm noticing now that even during the "mustard rocket" era, special livery aircraft incorporated a sparkly finish on the "mustard" elements of the livery, making them special liveried aircraft on a "desert gold" base during the "mustard rocket" era. Is this correct?
Jazajia
Well-known member
Glad you liked it, the golden hour.
Thanks, it was a decade ago
. I'm guessing it was a good day haha...It gives it a modern look, and the deep ocean blue goes well with the whale. For nostalgia, the Shamu in my collection is the -500 in the mustard/desert gold base.
I had a SkyMarks 1:150 model of Shamu in the canyon blue colors that I recently sold on eBay, and I was surprised to see how many people were after it.
Purpleplane
Well-known member
If I recall correctly, the original Southwest color was ochre..a "mustard" color, kind of a yellowish-brown. The retro gold was actually a metallic gold color. Lighting really affercted the look of it overall.
Jazajia
Well-known member
Thanks,
Here is N348SW in 1989 at OKC. Looks like the ochre/mustard base, the contrast with the black is probably what gives it the gold feel.
Here is a pic I took of N714CB wearing the sparkly Dessert Gold retro in 2013.
Purpleplane
Well-known member
Nice, I really miss both that one and N711HK. Waiting for N871HK on the MAX-8
Me too! GJ will do the trick! Excited for them!
Purpleplane
Well-known member
Me too. Hopefully they'll be out soon.
Purpleplane
Well-known member
I liked it in the canyon blue also... kinda makes it looks like Shamu's in the water.
OscarBravo992
Well-known member
My thoughts exactly!
