An engineless ZA005 rolled out of Paint Hangar 45-03 yesterday afternoon in Everett, WA sporting a fresh livery. This particular 787 will be the first powered by General Electric GEnx-1B engines. When it went to the paintshop on July 9th, the aircraft had a rudder formerly painted in the colors of Royal Air Maroc, the original customer for the fifth and sixth flight test aircraft. The paint scheme of ZA005, now registered N787FT, is a simplified version of the Dreamliner scheme's wave and a blue tail similar to that of ZA006. Sources say the aircraft is expected to return to the factory shortly at position three inside Building 40-26.
Photo Credit Liz Matzelle
on July 21, 2009 11:54 AM | Reply
Looks a lot better than that terrible dreamliner scheme.
on July 21, 2009 12:26 PM | Reply
Guess that's in the eye's of the beholder.
on July 21, 2009 12:28 PM | Reply
Does this one already have a wing fix?
on July 21, 2009 1:28 PM | Reply
Could this be a sign R.A.M. is tired of waiting?
on July 21, 2009 1:38 PM | Reply
I liked your tribute livery idea better, Jon.
on July 21, 2009 1:53 PM | Reply
Why did they finish up the ZA005 if they dont have any wingfix yet? I mean they dont even have a deadline yet for the new fix so I doubt this plane sports one.
Is this just another publicity stunt or am I missing something?
on July 21, 2009 2:42 PM | Reply
Just because the wing fix hasn't been performed doesn't mean they can't paint it.
I'm liking the paint scheme. Wonder what they'll do for 4.
on July 21, 2009 3:49 PM | Reply
Not a fan, I really like the current dreamliner livery a lot better, this is a little too simple.
on July 21, 2009 3:50 PM | Reply
It would be nice if someone could build a website with the history or logbook of every and each 787 (one HTML page per serial number). Links to related pictures/videos for each event would be excellent.
http://verovenia.wordpress.com
on July 21, 2009 4:20 PM | Reply
Great post Jon, any news on ships three and four?
on July 21, 2009 4:49 PM | Reply
Hey, that's a jolly smart livery :-) I didn't realise that that plane could look so good.
on July 21, 2009 5:03 PM | Reply
I like the minimal scheme, but how are they going to paint it for carriers like AA that use the bare metal? Also, any idea how much paint (lbs) goes on the 787?
on July 21, 2009 5:34 PM | Reply
In the German company "Premium Aerotec", manufacturing the rear pressure bulkhead for the 787, first rumors occured today that the first flight will be delayed for (at least) one additional year. For those being able to read German:
http://www.aero.de/community/topic.php?id=3977&page=5
I hope that this is just a rumor. It was posted by a guy claiming that he's working in this (former EADS) company. So perhaps it's just a guess by Airbus, keep cool!
By the way i like the livery of ZA005.
Greetings from Germany
on July 21, 2009 5:41 PM | Reply
Jon,
I echo RobH's comment regarding your idea for the test fleet. One of these babies in the yellow/brown scheme would be sharp!
Is it likely that this aircraft's scheme was kept very simple in the event that Boeing finds a buyer for her (The repaint wouldn't be as extensive, correct?)
-Rick
on July 22, 2009 7:23 AM | Reply
I like the livery myself.
According to Boeing the livery will be applied to airplanes 3, 4 and 6 as well. The livery was chosen to save time and money.
Apparently the reason ZA005 is missing its engines because they've been sent back to GE for some improvements to be incorporated.
on July 23, 2009 4:41 PM | Reply
Where was this photo taken from? Ill be heading there in a few days, would like to know where I can get some of my own photos of the 787?