This month I complete the the big four as I explore the entire postwar livery history of Eastern. Despite having such a well known logo Eastern almost constantly experimented with livery changes and updates. I think I've got them all but shout if you think I've missed something:
Great article. That really cleared up for me the progression of EA's liveries in the early 60s. Also, it seems Eastern never fully adopted the thin stripes hockey stick on all their planes, you can find photos of the through-windows hockey sticks on planes throughout the 1980s.
Great article. That really cleared up for me the progression of EA's liveries in the early 60s. Also, it seems Eastern never fully adopted the thin stripes hockey stick on all their planes, you can find photos of the through-windows hockey sticks on planes throughout the 1980s.
Yeah you're right. There were many versions of the hockeystick going during the 80s
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Richard
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And, indeed, borders blurred in the 1980‘s when competition got hard, and financial troubles became a problem. I’d say they never made it to a real full new livery (or corporate identity) from 1980 onwards, no one really logged how many aircraft were painted in the thin blue stripes (V5) paint scheme, and if those aircraft which received a completely blue nose (V7) - but with the wide blue stripes again - had ever been painted in the thin blue stripes livery before (my guess is: no!). Plus, that grey basic painting (V6) was primarily used for the A300s which couldn’t be turned into the bare metal fuselage due to components of different materials. I know some smaller aircraft of the fleet received a grey basic colour too but - to me - it was never intended to replace the bare metal fuselage of the whole fleet. I guess everything was literally dead due to budgetary constraints, and repainting was only done when major checks became necessary. Eastern‘s final years weren’t fun.
Great article, Rich!
I guess everything was literally dead due to budgetary constraints, and repainting was only done when major checks became necessary. Eastern‘s final years weren’t fun.
True indeed. I flew Eastern a few times with family when I was a young child in the late 80s, I remember seeing the planes we were about to board and my dad commenting how filthy dirty they were, one of them I recall even had something busted and taped over on the nose! Eastern didn't wanna spend money on airplane baths by that time! Very sad ending to a legendary airline. I'm glad I had the opportunity to fly them before they went under.
Eastern Airlines went down writhing and screaming - hard to watch. Richard Stretton has deciphered the many livery variations and tweaks that EAL must have thought might save the airline, but no chance. I had no idea of the crazy dying throes they went through with the bare metal New Mark Versions they tried, and thanks, Rich. The attached images depict the New Mark Versions 4, 5, and 7, with no two alike. The New Mark Version 1, with the original hockey stick on a white fuselage may have been the best. The models imaged are a AeroClassics DC-9-31, and DC-9-51, both moulds rated well by Richard, and I agree. The Tristar is Dragon Wings, and the best example of a bare metal version yet... Doug
Last edited by doug seeley; 02-12-2020 at 08:21 AM.
Reason: -51!
Very, very interesting stuff on a highly complex livery history full of variations, a subject I love. Well done for tackling this Richard! I had no idea that there were so many variations of the hockeystick. Sad end indeed to a classic airline. That Dragon Wings example still looks superb, Doug.
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"If you're in a hurry, don't worry because I've got a pretty fast act. Before you get a chance to hate me, I'll be gone." - Tommy Cooper
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I hope NG make this version of Eastern ( all metal look) with their Tristars.
__________________ NG L1011's: BWIA(Teal/ yellow livery)/
RAF x3/Eastern bare metal/LAM/ Faucett Peru
NG A340: Gulf Air( Gold/Blue))Surinam/Royal Jordanian/Air Namibia (Blue tail) LAN
NG 747 SP/200 Air Namibia( yellow)/Luxair/Air Mauritius/ Saudi Arabian (Green)/Aerolineas Argentinas/ SAA 80’s Orange tail, silver belly 200/ Lufthansa black nose/ Olympic 200
NG 744: United Battleship/ Delta/ Northwest red top/ Qantas 90s livery/ BA
Eastern Air Lines Liveries 1945-1991
I'm glad I had the opportunity to fly them before they went under.
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