British Airways today formally unveiled its second retrojet, an Airbus A319 (registration G-EUPJ) painted in the "Red Square" livery used by BEA on European services between 1959 and 1968.
Max Kingsley-Jones/FlightGlobal
The aircraft arrived at London Heathrow this morning from Shannon following repainting and is set to enter service later today on a flight to Manchester. Initial scheduling also dictates that the BEA-liveried A319 will operate to Brussels and Zurich.
Max Kingsley-Jones/FlightGlobal
BEA's fleet during the "Red Square" era included BAC One-Eleven and Hawker Siddeley Trident (below) jets, and Vickers Viscount and Vanguard turboprops. While the top and bottom of wings in the original scheme were red, that colour has only been applied to the A319's lower wings. The upper surfaces have remained grey to meet current wing-paint reflectivity requirements.
The original aircraft / FlightGlobal archive
The A319 joins BA's existing BOAC Boeing 747-400 retrojet operating as part of the airline's centenary celebrations. Another Boeing 747-400 (G-BNLY) will be unveiled in Landor colours this month. A fourth retro-livery – again applied to a 747-400 – is expected to be BA's original Negus & Negus red, white and blue scheme which the airline adopted upon its creation in 1973.
Max Kingsley-Jones/FlightGlobal
Max Kingsley-Jones/FlightGlobal
Max Kingsley-Jones/FlightGlobal
Max Kingsley-Jones/FlightGlobal
Source: FlightGlobal.com
