Does anyone see any differences with this newly painted NW 757 and the DL 757s? The blue on the bottom of this NW bird extends further than the DL painted birds. In addition, the blue on the winglets does not extend as far down the winglet than on the Delta painted aircraft. Is this just the angle of the picture, or is this common among contracted painting?

NW 757 recently painted in DL's colors:

DL 757 in the 2007 livery:

No, I'm seeing some definite differences, too. The Delta bird is by far the sharper of the two.

Quoting Delta4eva (Thread starter):

Good catch. It certainly looks different to me although very subtle. Either a mistake by the vendor or a design change. I like the NW one better.

Quoting Delta4eva (Thread starter): In addition, the blue on the winglets does not extend as far down the winglet than on the Delta painted aircraft

This could easily happen with the light that was hitting the aircraft when the photo was taken - that could easily make two photos seem different, but they're really the same. Not saying this is the case, but throwing a hypothesis out there.

As for the paint, it does seem to be a bit longer on the NW bird, but it could be the angle of the photo giving that illusion.

The red widget on the fuselage is different as well.

On the NW repaint it is even with the first window, on the Delta 757s it is slightly ahead of the first window. That seems to be standard for all the DL 757s, not just the former TWA/AA ones.

Edit: I now see that a number of Delta 757s also have the widget aligned with the first window…

[Edited 2009-02-10 17:15:56]

Quoting C767P (Reply 4): On the NW repaint it is even with the first window, on the Delta 757s it is slightly ahead of the first window.

That's because the windows on the ex-TW airplanes start further from the door. In those photos, the titles look to be the same distance from the door, but because of the window differences, it appears different.

The front of the NW 757 looks bad, the rear blue is consistent, but not at the front. The logos and registrations are not similarly placed. Winglet is not fully painted. The NW Looks a little unfinished now, but few non-aviation people will realize. The DL 757 looks much better IMO.

Quoting C767P (Reply 4): The red widget on the fuselage is different as well. On the NW repaint it is even with the first window, on the Delta 757s it is slightly ahead of the first window. That seems to be standard for all the DL 757s, not just the former TWA/AA ones.

The widget appears to be in the same position on both aircraft, however one window is plugged on the DL757.

Quoting Asuflyer (Reply 6): The logos and registrations are not similarly placed.

Only the regs are. The front logos are fine. It is just based on the distance from the first door, not based on windows.

Also, the ship number on the tail is bigger on NW.

So here are the differences:

Registrations are slightly off.
Winglet is not fully painted on NW.
NW blue belly extends further up front then DL.
Ship number on tail is bigger on NW.

Quoting Pilotboi (Reply 8): Also, the ship number on the tail is bigger on NW.

Which is good. I'm not thrilled with the way DL paints ship numbers on their airplanes. Especially on the DC-9s. Very small.

I think the difference you see is more or less caused by the different angles of each photograph. It almost looks as if the NW 757 is banked a little bit to the right which causes you to see more of the belly.

Quoting Chrisjw (Reply 10):

  

That would be the biggest part of this id say.

Quoting Chrisjw (Reply 10): I think the difference you see is more or less caused by the different angles of each photograph. It almost looks as if the NW 757 is banked a little bit to the right which causes you to see more of the belly.

No- look at the angle of the blue strip as it approaches the nosewheel. On the Delta bird, it's a straight line, while on the NW bird, it goes, and then makes an ugly dog-leg.
Also, this photo DOES make the fact that the ex-TWA bird has a plugged window there!

And, from other photos around the internet, the winglet paint IS messed up.

Quoting Chrisjw (Reply 10): It almost looks as if the NW 757 is banked a little bit to the right which causes you to see more of the belly.

Quoting Cadet57 (Reply 11): checkmark That would be the biggest part of this id say.

The roll angle is actually almost exactly the same. It's just the yaw angle that's different. (If that makes any sense to anyone).

While the very tip of the blue is probably the same (hard to tell because you need to see underneath), the way it tapers to a rounded point is very different. DL's was very pointy, whereas NW's is more round, which makes it show more on the sides.

Of course, the DL plane doesn't have the 'Operated by Northwest Airlines, Inc' painted on it.   

From the DL photo it looks like the winglet is painted all the way past the underside of the edge of the wing.

Haha we are such nerds for discussing this . The differences I see are the winglet, the blue underbelly, and the logo positioning. But honestly, no one's gonna notice besides people on this site.
Out of curiousity, are Delta paint jobs just bad, because everyone is pointing out how different each plane is (I've read it on other threads too) or are little differences noticeable on all airlines?

Quoting PanAm788 (Reply 16): Haha we are such nerds for discussing this . The differences I see are the winglet, the blue underbelly, and the logo positioning. But honestly, no one's gonna notice besides people on this site. Out of curiousity, are Delta paint jobs just bad, because everyone is pointing out how different each plane is (I've read it on other threads too) or are little differences noticeable on all airlines?

  
Add this. The Delta paint job on their aircraft is about as exciting as an airplane lost in the fog.   

Also, ex-Northwest planes have that tiny "Operated by Northwest Airlines, Inc." by the rear door.  

Honestly though, on the ex-Northwest 757-200 pictured, the blue not only extends further than the Delta 757-200 but the blue on the Northwest is a lot more rounded near the front, unlike the Delta bird.

Delta birds have a reasonably sharp point at the front of the blue underside.

Maybe it's an intentional slight livery variation?

Quoting DeltAirlines (Reply 3): This could easily happen with the light that was hitting the aircraft when the photo was taken

I'm pretty sure the blue on the DL winglet starts from under the wing whereas the NW painted one begins a third up the winglet.

Quoting LASOctoberB6 (Reply 19): I'm pretty sure the blue on the DL winglet starts from under the wing whereas the NW painted one begins a third up the winglet.

The blue on the winglet starts at the exact spot the red started when the aircraft was painted in NW colors. It's possible the paint shop made a mistake and only repainted the red part, or there is a physical difference with the winglet or its certification on Northwest that only allows colored paint on a given part. I'm thinking it's most likely the former.

ALSO the Delta plane has 11 Windows in the forward cabin, the NW/DL bird has 12. That could have something to do with the placement of the little widget.
Keep 'em flying!    

Quoting ATAflyer (Reply 21): ALSO the Delta plane has 11 Windows in the forward cabin, the NW/DL bird has 12. That could have something to do with the placement of the little widget. Keep 'em flying! Wink Wink

If you read the rest of the thread, you'll see that DL actually has two configs (of windows at least). All of the regular domestics have a closet up front and the first window is plugged. The international (ETOPS) birds also have a plug. The transcons (ex-Song) have row 1 right up front there and need that first window. As does NW's birds. So to keep it consistent, they have placed the logo the same distance aft of door L1 on every 757. But because of the two different window configs, he may appear before or after the "first" window.

Keep in mind that these two aircraft might have been painted in 2 different paint shops and that minute differences could arise from this.

Quoting Eaa3 (Reply 23): Keep in mind that these two aircraft might have been painted in 2 different paint shops and that minute differences could arise from this.

That's what were talking about in this thread. We know for a fact that they were painted in two different paint shops, by two different companies. This thread is for discussing those minute differences.

Remember that the NW winglets are the first ones to be repainted. All of the DL winglets were pre-painted by Aviation Partners Boeing. They come out of the box completely blue. The NW winglets might actually be painted "correctly."

I think DL should paint the widget on the winglets also!!! I'm not sure what exactly it would look like but I think it would look pretty cool from what I picture in my head!   

Quoting DL_Mech (Reply 25): Remember that the NW winglets are the first ones to be repainted. All of the DL winglets were pre-painted by Aviation Partners Boeing. They come out of the box completely blue. The NW winglets might actually be painted "correctly."

I prefer the all-blue look, though. Are all of NW's 757s slated to receive winglets? Will they be used any differently than DL's domestic 757s?

We have way to much time on our hands guys, But I love it!

They're different yet identical, in that they're boring. I cringe everytime I see a 757, 320 or 330 in they're livery. It's like a beautiful girl with bad breath. Such a disappointment

Quoting PanAm788 (Reply 16): Haha we are such nerds for discussing this .

  
But I have to admit..I am reading it....and interested.

Could the different paint shops have a 'margin' of error?
Surely there is a set, defined standard for application of paint and stickers?

Quoting Richiemo (Reply 29): They're different yet identical, in that they're boring. I cringe everytime I see a 757, 320 or 330 in they're livery. It's like a beautiful girl with bad breath. Such a disappointment

     

Quoting Richiemo (Reply 29): They're different yet identical, in that they're boring. I cringe everytime I see a 757, 320 or 330 in they're livery. It's like a beautiful girl with bad breath. Such a disappointment

No disrespect meant to those that feel the way you do. This April will make it two years since the current Delta livery came out. Every time that it is discussed, do we really need to hear about how some think it is boring, bad, ugly, etc?

I really like the On and Up scheme, yet I don’t make a point to say how I really like it in every topic.