Swalifebtw From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 5249 times:
The livery of Silver One, our 25th anniversary specialty aircraft, will change to Canyon Blue when the plane comes in for scheduled maintenance in mid-August. When Silver One was first dedicated in 1996, the fuselage was polished metal. As the process to buff and shine this particular aircraft became too costly, the plane was painted in a silver tone. Within the silver paint, there are flakes that reflect light to give the aircraft a shine.
This aircraft has been painted several times with improved paints, and it still doesn’t hold a shine. Southwest wants this aircraft to be a shining representation of this significant milestone in our history, and the grey appearance is simply not doing it justice.
When the aircraft is first painted, it displays the sparkle and shine of the silver paint flakes. But over time, due to weather and the elements, these flakes no longer reflect like they do when first applied. So in the time of a few short years, the luster fades and the aircraft appears a dull grey, rather than shining silver.
Therefore, Silver One will be painted in the colors of the Spirit Fleet. However, there will be two places on the aircraft that will designate it as our Silver Anniversary Aircraft. The graphic on the nose of the aircraft will remain the same, along with the dedication art on the windscreen as you enter the aircraft. The change to the Canyon Blue livery should take place in mid- to late-August.
AWACSooner From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 1415 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 5250 times:
Boooo!
At least I got to fly it while it was silver.
Atrude777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 5613 posts, RR: 54 Reply 2, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 5172 times:
I just read that on SWALIFE, what a shame to read but I understand the reasons behind it.
I flew this aircraft HOU-STL in May I think of 2007.
Alex
Good things come to those who wait, better things come to those who go AFTER it!
AA737-823 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 5333 posts, RR: 11 Reply 3, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 4972 times:
STUPID!!!!
That's just about all I have to say about that.
Quoting Swalifebtw (Thread starter): the fuselage was polished metal. As the process to buff and shine this particular aircraft became too costly, the plane was painted in a silver tone. Within the silver paint, there are flakes that reflect light to give the aircraft a shine.
So what you're telling me is that Southwest isn't innovative enough to economically do what American Airlines has been doing since 1968???
I find that hard to believe.
And so dies another cool plane in an otherwise dull worldwide fleet of a zillion 737s.
AA737-823 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 5333 posts, RR: 11 Reply 4, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 4964 times:
I lied- I DO have more to say on the subject.
At least HALF of Southwest's Canyon Blue fleet looks like ABSOLUTE, COMPLETE RUBBISH. The blue looks tatty and worn, the patches are all different colors, and the upper half of the fuselage turns a putrid shade of lavender.
And they're worried that Silver One looses it's luster after a few years!?!?!
Time for ANOTHER reality check at the WN maintenance offices.
Lexy From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 2362 posts, RR: 9 Reply 5, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 4935 times:
Quoting Swalifebtw (Thread starter): Therefore, Silver One will be painted in the colors of the Spirit Fleet. However, there will be two places on the aircraft that will designate it as our Silver Anniversary Aircraft. The graphic on the nose of the aircraft will remain the same, along with the dedication art on the windscreen as you enter the aircraft. The change to the Canyon Blue livery should take place in mid- to late-August.
I'm sorry. I am a frequent flier of WN and I support them whenever I can. This is a move that I, unfortunatly, do not endorse. It truely is a shame that it will be relegated to looking like the rest of the fleet sans a little nose decal.
If anyone ventures out to a WN strong city and looks at the Canyon Blue paint, one would immediatly notice that it too doesn't hold up well after time. Matter of fact, it can look quite dingy in most decent light. I don't buy the whole "not looking good after weather, etc" basis here.
Personally, they should've left it polished IMO. If AA can do it, why can't WN??
SXDFC From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 1999 posts, RR: 20 Reply 6, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 4866 times:
One thing I do agree with is that 629 did look great when she was in the polished metal. However AA has a fleet of over 500 airplanes all with the polished metal look, WN on the other hand had only one, which is why I can see it coasted a bit more money to maintain with it WN.
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
SXDFC From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 1999 posts, RR: 20 Reply 7, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 4731 times:
QANTAS747-438 From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 1800 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4484 times:
Quoting AA737-823 (Reply 3): So what you're telling me is that Southwest isn't innovative enough to economically do what American Airlines has been doing since 1968???
No, I guess we're just a bunch of morons.
Not sure if you've ever seen the plane, but it's "Silver One"... and is currently totally GREY. It has no shine at all to it, and with the red cheat lines on it, it looks unfinished. It's not worth our time to polish the metal every so often on the ONE plane when that is not our LIVERY. It's just a specialty scheme, a scheme that was meant for an event in 1996!!! It's 13 years old and has run its course. Time for it to hit the livery boneyard.
My posts/replies are strictly my opinion and not that of any company, organization, or Southwest Airlines.
Ikramerica From United States of America, joined May 2005, 21025 posts, RR: 60 Reply 10, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4481 times:
Quoting AA737-823 (Reply 3): So what you're telling me is that Southwest isn't innovative enough to economically do what American Airlines has been doing since 1968???
Keeping a whole fleet of polished birds shiny is probably easier than keeping 1 shiny. AA has a process in place to do it economically. For WN, it was a "one off" procedure.
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
SXDFC From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 1999 posts, RR: 20 Reply 11, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 4465 times:
Yflyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2007, 837 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 4314 times:
Quoting QANTAS747-438 (Reply 9): Not sure if you've ever seen the plane, but it's "Silver One"... and is currently totally GREY. It has no shine at all to it, and with the red cheat lines on it, it looks unfinished.
True that. A few years ago I happened to see that plane land at SMF. At the time I had never heard of "Silver One", and I thought the plane I saw was just painted with primer, and had not received a complete paint job for some reason.
Of corse as soon as I got home I searched these forums and learned what I had really seen, but like you say to those not "in the know" it definately looks unfinished.
SPREE34 From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 2090 posts, RR: 10 Reply 15, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 4236 times:
Quoting AA737-823 (Reply 3): So what you're telling me is that Southwest isn't innovative enough to economically do what American Airlines has been doing since 1968???
I find that hard to believe.
Who just paid a quarterly dividend?
I don't understand everything I don't know about this.
Silver1SWA From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 4535 posts, RR: 26 Reply 16, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 4212 times:
I was very sad to learn this last night. What am I going to do now?!?!? It's been my screen name for just about everything online since I flew on Siilver One back in 1999.
Quoting SXDFC (Reply 11): Actually after its re-paint it had the while cheatlines.
I do have to admit, it did look good when it wore its "gun metal" scheme..
I thought Silver One looked decent in the first paint job. The paint job she received in 2005 looked white from the start. You could see the sparkle only when you were standing close enough to touch the plane. And that white cheatline really made it look like an unfinished primer coat.
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
Rikkus67 From Canada, joined Jun 2000, 1460 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 4083 times:
We all have to consider where this aircraft flies most of its routes, which is in the Southwest USA. With higher heat and more intense sunlight, trying to keep a one-off colourscheme as perfect as possible without constantly taking it out of service, is a money losing venture.
One only has to look at US Airways, and the reasoning behind the new paint scheme when America West took them over. The intense sunlight on colours in general will cause substancial fading.
My only thought would be to suggest the MICA metallic paint from NWA. I wonder how UV stable that paint is in extreem heat and sunlight?
Cessna 172; King Air 100; Twin Otter; SAAB 340; Dash 7; Dash 8-100,-200,-300,-400; CRJ-200,700,900; ERJ-170; F-28; DC 9-
Flyinround731 From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 241 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 4074 times:
Quoting SXDFC (Reply 11): Actually after its re-paint it had the while cheatlines.
It had white cheatlines before and after the initial repaint. Pics from 1996-1999 show white cheatlines with the polished body, the red cheatlines showed up in 1999 when it was painted for the first time. The white cheatlines came back again in 2005 when it was repainted and received the Canyon Blue tail.
See?
AA737-823 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 5333 posts, RR: 11 Reply 19, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 4041 times:
Quoting Rikkus67 (Reply 18): One only has to look at US Airways, and the reasoning behind the new paint scheme when America West took them over. The intense sunlight on colours in general will cause substancial fading.
Hence painting it blue makes no sense at all.
Quoting SPREE34 (Reply 15): Who just paid a quarterly dividend?
I fail to see the correlation between a quarterly financial release and the status of one of SEVERAL ONE-OFF PAINT SCHEMES MAINTAINED BY THE AIRLINE.
Quoting Silentbob (Reply 17): I guess they couldn't defer the buffing like they do with maintenance.
Ooh, ten points to you!
Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 10): Keeping a whole fleet of polished birds shiny is probably easier than keeping 1 shiny. AA has a process in place to do it economically. For WN, it was a "one off" procedure.
Yes, but a 25th anniversary is a "one off" celebration! This whole thing kinda defeats the purpose of having a 25th anniversary airplane entirely.
Lately, I suspect the FAA might agree with you. But I digress.
Quoting QANTAS747-438 (Reply 9): Not sure if you've ever seen the plane, but it's "Silver One"... and is currently totally GREY. It has no shine at all to it, and with the red cheat lines on it, it looks unfinished. It's not worth our time to polish the metal every so often on the ONE plane when that is not our LIVERY.
Not sure if YOU'VE ever seen the plane, but the red cheat lines have been gone for... FIVE YEARS. And if it's not worth the time to polish the livery every few A-checks, then why was it done in the first place? Things like this are part of what makes Southwest an EXCITING, DYNAMIC airline, rather than a stodgy, dull carrier like all the rest.
DL752 From United States of America, joined Jul 2008, 174 posts, RR: 1 Reply 20, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 3526 times:
Quoting Jr (Reply 12): Hey, maybe in another 12 years we'll get a "Gold one"?
KSANcoFlyer From United States of America, joined Jun 2009, 43 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 3390 times:
Quoting AA737-823 (Reply 19):
Quoting Rikkus67 (Reply 18):
One only has to look at US Airways, and the reasoning behind the new paint scheme when America West took them over. The intense sunlight on colours in general will cause substancial fading.
Hence painting it blue makes no sense at all.
Quoting SPREE34 (Reply 15):
Who just paid a quarterly dividend?
I fail to see the correlation between a quarterly financial release and the status of one of SEVERAL ONE-OFF PAINT SCHEMES MAINTAINED BY THE AIRLINE.
Quoting Silentbob (Reply 17):
I guess they couldn't defer the buffing like they do with maintenance.
Ooh, ten points to you!
Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 10):
Keeping a whole fleet of polished birds shiny is probably easier than keeping 1 shiny. AA has a process in place to do it economically. For WN, it was a "one off" procedure.
Yes, but a 25th anniversary is a "one off" celebration! This whole thing kinda defeats the purpose of having a 25th anniversary airplane entirely.
Quoting QANTAS747-438 (Reply 9):
No, I guess we're just a bunch of morons.
Lately, I suspect the FAA might agree with you. But I digress.
Quoting QANTAS747-438 (Reply 9):
Not sure if you've ever seen the plane, but it's "Silver One"... and is currently totally GREY. It has no shine at all to it, and with the red cheat lines on it, it looks unfinished. It's not worth our time to polish the metal every so often on the ONE plane when that is not our LIVERY.
Not sure if YOU'VE ever seen the plane, but the red cheat lines have been gone for... FIVE YEARS. And if it's not worth the time to polish the livery every few A-checks, then why was it done in the first place? Things like this are part of what makes Southwest an EXCITING, DYNAMIC airline, rather than a stodgy, dull carrier like all the rest.
I agree with everything said here, its a celebration! Part of what makes WN special, in my opinion, is that they have so much pride for what they do, and I see that every time I fly them. Whether its the pilot, the flight attendants, or gate agents, they all take pride in their work; And to me, that is a very important thing.
Swatpamike From United States of America, joined May 2004, 581 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 3264 times:
Hello All
Quoting Atrude777 (Reply 2): I just read that on SWALIFE, what a shame to read but I understand the reasons behind it.
Gary Kelly is a bean counter so its all about money not people. You will find that out much more in the next few months.
N49WA From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 23, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 3198 times:
Just a random idea...Couldn't Southwest just ink a simple agreement with AA to shine the plane a couple times a year, providing the cost would be less than doing it themselves as a "one off"? I know it's not unusual for one airline to borrow parts from a competitor when a plane at a location needs something, couldn't this work in a similar way? IMHO, the original "Silver One" scheme is the classiest of all SWA's fleet and should be retained.
Flyusairways From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 176 posts, RR: 3 Reply 24, posted (3 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 2865 times:
What a shame! Can someone with WN aircraft scheduling details post the planned whereabouts of Silver One as the information comes available? I'd love to see it in ORF.
Losing printed timetables and Silver One in a short time is disappointing. I hope Shamu sticks around for a while, as I get a thrill out of seeing that one every time.
All nonstop flights are direct, but not all direct flights are nonstop!
25 Swalifebtw: Last day as "Silver One" will be Monday Aug 24. Will be flown to IND for painting beginning Aug 25.
26 EA CO AS: Is it? I mean, really? REALLY? C'mon, fact is that it's costly and labor-intensive to keep her in the silver scheme. When you're facing rising costs,
27 Jeffry747: Meanwhile the OTHER half of the fleet looks absolutely stunning! I have always loved the Canyon Blue livery. It is my absolute favorite livery on the
28 Swatpamike: Hello All Working on the ramp I have to say that most of the blue planes don't look all that great. Be glad that you only see them from 100 feet away.
29 Bruce: Geeez...... its only an anniversary scheme, and one that is 13 years old - get over it! Maybe in 2011 for their 40th anniversary they will do a speci
30 Lexy: Thanks Bruce for your two cents of knowledge on the fact. It's my opinion and I have every right to have it. Regardless of what you or your friends m
31 Smcmac32msn: Well... it was either America West's teal (light color to begin with) or US' dark dark blue... If anything it will lighten-up but not look off white
Sponsor Message: 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
Does "gold paint" retain its lustre longer than grey silver?
From Canada, joined Jun 2000, 1460 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
