Oooh, oooh I've heard some stuff about this!!
Now, the "parked" 743 is Nalanji Dreaming or something...the blue one. That was at Avalon, but I last saw it there a long time ago.
AA may have gone for the all metal look to save fuel initially, but latter day jets (not Saints) require a laquer to "seal" (?) & this makes up for any weight savings by not painting.
I've also heard of restrictions to aircraft with special liveries but they were to do with overfly restrictions. The colouring, in some areas, is considered to be like camoflage, hence the restriction. The BA/UA grey scheme was frowned upon in some quarters...allegedly...and this went some way towards their respective new schemes.
Don't quote me on any of this, but this is the stuff you hear at the gate when the gingerbeers are bored!
