I have just shown the purported scheme to the OH (216 Adj in Comet days). She said little other than “OMG” and “Tacky”.

It does NOT look like a National Leader’s aircraft, it looks like thousands of other airliners. It lacks that long-disused word ... DIGNITY.

SLXOwft
When we were a UK based company we had the misfortune to be on a number of British trade missions to far flung parts, with ministers and indeed PM,s, and I can honestly say I can not remember getting any significant business, or making any further contacts through being on them. Indeed given the behaviour of some delegates and members of govt in foreign parts it was better to distance yourself from the whole entourage, as they proved to be a significant embarrassment. Personally I have always done my own spade work to secure work world wide, and I would not need a Union Flag on a brightly coloured ex RAF 330 with the usual hangers onboard to do it.
Similarly as now based in Germany, I do not expect to be flying round in Mrs Merkel,s tired old Grey 340 which does break down a bit I am told. However I am interested in EU grants and or loans which can be used to further our business world wide but I can access those through my keyboard,s !
Kind regards
Mr Mac

There is a significant fraction of this country who hate it with a vengeance, despise all the trappings of statehood and heritage, and would gladly see us run by some other foreign power than accede to the legitimate democratically expressed will of its people. These people hated Boris before he was born, in fact they hate the very idea of a Boris. They would prefer him to cycle to international conferences in sack cloth and ashes followed by a chariot full of Grauniad readers flailing him with chains and thorns.

Speaking for myself, I actually would like to see Her Majesty and the Prime Minister travelling to state occasions in an aircraft appropriately liveried in the flag of this country, affording them the dignity and respect which they deserve. The previous VIP aircraft from Northolt had a perfectly respectable design.

I think the German Gov aircraft is now a shiny brand new A350😄

... in what colour scheme? A jolly Black/Red/Gold swoosh all over the tail and rear fuselage? 🤔

Wiki offers numerous examples ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_tr...and_government

Meanwhile in a sensible country in a sensible livery...
 

Yes, first of three at an estimated cost of EUR1.2bn. Apparently it has a "transitional cabin" and will be upgraded to the full spec when the other two have been delivered. The headline on a story at the time of the order was "German government orders three Airbus a350-900 to prevent VIP delays".

They are also to be used for Medevac and troop transport. They are also in the process of receiving 3 Bombadier Global 6000s for government use. (They have also ordered another 3 BG6000s as Sigint platforms having cancelled an order for 4 MQ-4C Tritons)

First German government A350 arrives for outfitting in Hamburg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....04f68d489d.jpg
Source: Airbus via FlightGlobal

Captain H Peacock
I think the timing of the change could have been better planned, and I think a jingoistic attitude may not be the way to go, and flying in on a plane emblazoned with the Union flag which carry,s some, shall we say unfortunate baggage in some parts of the world may not be helpful.
Oh and by the way I am Sunday Times reader not Guardian, so I assume that is directed at somebody else.
Man777
Thanks for info on new German State A/C. I will look out for it on my travel's out and about in Germany/ Europe/ World . Though currently the one I see most on my travel's, has been a certain Russian tycoons who used to own a UK football club I believe.
Cheers
Mr Mac

Becuase unlike a country I won't name, our prime minister doesn't need to use the jet to go golfing every other weekend.

Lee Kwan Yew was happy to fly SQ all the time

How about having all the flags of former colonies and dependencies incorporated into a nice old transport command cheat line, alphabetical from front to rear :E?

Mind you, that may put the USA a long way back, near the Windward Islands:ok:

RIGHT ON!!. My gosh, that would upset the Donald. Might even spoil his third term.

Asturias56
Best advert for country and airline.
Kind regards
Mr Mac

Better not tell Joe Public how much it costs for each engine to go to shop...

June 9th EGsC
 

Saw it from back garden on approach to EGsC to be dolled up by Marshalls for our esteemed leader.

cheers


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....17748c504.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....66c067475.jpeg

From the Guardian

There is nothing wrong with a VIP fleet. The problem is this being done through the back door. Yes, it is all public money but this has been done behind closed doors. A cheesey 'look how great britain we are' paint job will not be well received by (I suggest) the majority at home and certainly not those abroad. We have been upsetting the rest of the world for 400 years - why stop now? :(

I suppose this is what you get when The Telegraph reading “Let’s have a new royal yacht Britannia” set meets the pseudo-trumpian “I’ll paint the damn plane the way I want it” ego.

JAS

I will be surprised if we will be able to afford to pay for the full Airbus contract much longer.

It is bloody awful!

The aircraft has not been rolled out of the hangar yet. Why is everyone getting so hot under the collar when none of you know what the final paint job is, or indeed will look like?
​
Calm down dear! (Credits to Winner and Cameron).