Livery of the Week: Qantas’ Retro 737s

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result. 

Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line. 

Qantas, the Australian national carrier, has a unique way of celebrating its rich history. In 2015, they unveiled a special Boeing 737-800 painted in a vintage livery, nicknaming it “Retro Roo II.” This particular design pays homage to the Boeing 707 jets that Qantas operated starting in 1959.

The “Retro Roo II” livery features a design aesthetic reminiscent of the 1960s. The aircraft boasts a predominantly white fuselage with a red cheatline running along its side.

Qantas unveiled one of two retro liveries in 2014 (Photo: Qantas)

The Qantas name is displayed in a bold, stylized font, and a small kangaroo adorns the vertical stabilizer.

This Boeing 737 with a retro twist wasn’t the first for Qantas. In fact, “Retro Roo II” followed “Retro Roo I,” a 737 unveiled in 2014 that sported the livery used from 1971 to 1984. These special liveries have proven popular, not only serving as a reminder of Qantas’ long history, but also generating excitement among aviation enthusiasts who flock to airports to catch a glimpse of these unique planes.

Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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