What's with 'Chatham Historic Dockyard'?
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What's with 'Chatham Historic Dockyard'?
I flew back from JFK yesterday on 'G-TECH', and mistakenly thought it was the only aircraft named 'Chatham Historic Dockyard'. After I did a search on Airliners.net, I discovered that the name is applied right across the BA fleet... 737s, 747s, 757s, 767s, 777s!!!
What's that all about then? I guess it's linked to the livery, but I'd be interested to hear the story behind it. Saw a small plaque on the aircraft, but didn't get a chance to have a read.
Finally, one of the crew told me they were going to overhaul the interiors of the 767s later in the year - long overdue, as it's like crossing the pond in a skip full of crap TVs!
What's that all about then? I guess it's linked to the livery, but I'd be interested to hear the story behind it. Saw a small plaque on the aircraft, but didn't get a chance to have a read.
Finally, one of the crew told me they were going to overhaul the interiors of the 767s later in the year - long overdue, as it's like crossing the pond in a skip full of crap TVs!
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It's a legacy of Robert Ayling's wacky tails. There were many different designs based on art from around the world. They all carried appropriate titles such as "Whale Rider" or whatever. "Chatham" was the design applied to Concorde.
When it was suggested to Ayling (by Maggie T among others) that he'd screwed up rather badly, the Chatham design was progressively applied to the rest of the fleet as they underwent routine repaints. There are only one or two aircraft remaining in the old livery now and the "Chatham" aircraft no longer carry the title, except on the plaque inside the main door.
When it was suggested to Ayling (by Maggie T among others) that he'd screwed up rather badly, the Chatham design was progressively applied to the rest of the fleet as they underwent routine repaints. There are only one or two aircraft remaining in the old livery now and the "Chatham" aircraft no longer carry the title, except on the plaque inside the main door.
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The state of the 767, I'm surprised it wasn't in BOAC colours!
There's no doubt that the 'Chatham' livery looks the part, but sticking the same name on each a/c is just typical of a big, stupid business!!!
Who says you need common sense to succeed?
There's no doubt that the 'Chatham' livery looks the part, but sticking the same name on each a/c is just typical of a big, stupid business!!!
Who says you need common sense to succeed?
Too mean to buy a long personal title
Pax-man: There's no doubt that the 'Chatham' livery looks the part, but sticking the same name on each a/c is just typical of a big, stupid business!!!
