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.
The newest Airbus cargo freighter, the A350F, is now approaching its maiden flight planned for October, but earlier this month the prototype MSN 700 debuted its inaugural livery.
Starting in October 2022, over 4,000 people started submitting their proposals for an original aircraft livery, and the winners of this contest were revealed during the 2023 Paris Air Show.
The theme selected for the two inaugural liveries was a cardboard box design in two different variants, conveying the mission of a cargo freighter in an original way.
The design sees the aircraft almost entirely painted in the classic cardboard-box brown color, with the typical logos, stickers, and tape that can be found on shipping boxes.
“The concepts were similar but focused on slightly different elements, so they complemented each other perfectly,” said Airbus Corporate Design Manager Cassian Koshorst, who spearheaded the integration of both designs. “We were able to place graphics from both designs – including adhesive tape, stickers, and stamps – exactly where we wanted on the aircraft, even adding extra details to the cargo doors to make them stand out.”
With the A350F composed of more than 90% composite material, the realization of these specific liveries required the “development of a new, more flexible external primer that is specifically designed to absorb thermal stress,” said Monica Asuad Ferrer, head of external paints and coatings at Airbus, as different layers react differently to changes in temperature.
The final livery was the result of several layers: an intermediate coat, then a base coat (when color is added), before the final clear coat layer.
The A350F cargo freighter is the newest aircraft produced by Airbus, due to enter into commercial service during the second half of 2027. It currently has an orderbook of 115 aircraft, with the biggest order being placed by Atlas Air, with 20 aircraft.
It will be capable of carrying a payload of 111 tons a maximum distance of 4,700 nautical miles.
Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.
