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Why V-JET?
and
V-Jet Colours and Markings
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V-Jet is a marketing name which was introduced by Qantas soon after the introduction of the Boeing 707-138B with turbofan engines. The "V" stands for the Latin word "vannus" which translates literally as "winnowing basket" or more loosely, "a device for blowing the grain" or "a fan". Hence V-Jet denotes Fan Jet. The first Qantas 707 to be built with turbofan engines was VH-EBH which was delivered to Sydney on 6 August 1961 wearing a modified version of the original 707 livery which featured a fuselage cheatline which was tapered to a point fore and aft. The company name on the fin and rudder appeared in white on a single chordwise red band. The word "Australia" and the national flag appeared on the fin under the red band. The aircraft registration which was previously on the fin in black was relocated to the fuselage cheatline and painted in white. This interim scheme also appears to have marked the transition from Carnation Red to Signal Red. Aircraft VH-EBI, VH-EBJ and VH-EBK were also delivered in this interim livery. However, VH-EBJ was photographed in 1961 wearing the interim scheme but with the white company name removed from the red band on the tail. It is not known if it was delivered like this or if the removal of the white company name was a precursor to repainting the entire tail red for the V-Jet scheme. Aircraft
VH-EBL and VH-EBM were delivered in the V-Jet livery. Progressively,
aircraft VH-EBA to VH-EBG were retrofitted with turbofan engines
and repainted in the V-Jet livery. This modification also included
an increase in the height of the fin and the addition of a small
ventral fin. |
Decorative
Paint Scheme 707-138B - Exterior
Qantas Drawing Number SY-A16516*
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ISSUE
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DATE
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APPROVED
BY DCA
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REMARKS
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A
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13JUN61
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31JUL61
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Original issue. |
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B
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14SEP61
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29DEC61
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Change Number 5163. Details unknown. |
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C
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30JAN62
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07FEB62
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Change Number 5262. Details unknown. |
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D
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13JUL62
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20SEP62
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QANTAS added to V-Jet insignia on engine nacelles. Change Number 5360. (See Note 6) |
|
E
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10APR63
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10APR63
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Aircraft letter added to both NLG doors in Royal Blue. Change Number 5524. Originally the last letter of the registration was painted in Royal Blue under the radome on the centreline. (See Note 12) |
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F
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26JUN64
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15JUL64
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QANTAS added to V-Jet insignia on tail. Change Number 5844. (See Note 7) |
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G
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21AUG64
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12OCT64
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Colour of aircraft name changed to Signal Red. Change Number 5919. (See Note 8) |
|
H
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21JUN67
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nil
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Definition markings added to doors and emergency exits. Change Number 6874. This change was originally mandated by the FAA on 06JUL65 which may explain why there is no DCA approval date. This was the final amendment to the drawing for the 707-138B. (See Note 9) |
* The
last digit of the drawing number is uncertain because of damage
to the document but it is believed to be a 6.
The Colour Specifications
| Signal Red (Gloss) | BALM Dulux #393-6419 (BAC 153) |
| Royal Blue (Gloss) | BALM Dulux #388-041 (BAC 511) |
| White (Gloss) | BALM Dulux #393-026 (BAC 733) |
| Black (Flat) | BALM Dulux #201-122 (BAC 701) (Anti-glare panel) |
| Yellow (Gloss) | BALM Dulux (BAC 324) (Chop thru markings) |
| Grey (Gloss) | BALM Dulux #392-7560 (1.2 inch strip around all windows) |
Notes on Colours and Markings
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1
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The source drawing refers to other detail drawings which are not available. |
|
2
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The style (font) of the QANTAS lettering is described as "Cyclone". |
|
3
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Wing markings: |
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4
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QANTAS on forward fuselage in Signal Red, Cyclone letters 40 inches high (except for the Q which is 41.25 inches high with the tail of the Q below the baseline). |
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5
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Australia's Overseas Airline in Royal Blue, Cyclone letters. Height is not specified on this drawing but appears to be half the height of QANTAS and commences 22 inches aft QANTAS. |
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5
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QANTAS over the left side passenger doors in Signal Red, Cyclone letters 4 inches high. |
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6
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QANTAS over the V-Jet insignia on engine nacelles in Royal Blue, Cyclone letters 4 inches high. The V-Jet insignia is also Royal Blue but its dimensions are not defined on this drawing. |
|
7
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QANTAS over the V-Jet insignia on the fin in White, Cyclone letters 25 inches high. The Q is 25.8 inches high. |
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8
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The aircraft name in Signal Red, standard letters 4 inches high. |
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9
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Definition markings on doors and emergency exits consist of a two inch wide outline in white or red to contrast with the surrounding colour. The drawing implies that the outline is painted on doors but on emergency exit hatches the outline is painted around the hatch aperture. |
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10
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The kangaroo emblem on the fin has a white body with red wings outlined in black. |
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11
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The last letter of the registration is painted on both sides of the ventral fin in Royal Blue 15 inches high. |
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12
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The last letter of the registration is painted on both Nose Landing Gear doors in Royal Blue 8 inches high. |
|
13
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The fuselage band is Signal Red 20 inches wide with the windows centrally located. The white band below the red band is 18 inches wide. |
|
14
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The registration is painted in White centrally located on the fuselage band. Overall length of the registration is not to exceed 53 inches. The height of the letters is not defined on this drawing but appears to be the same height as the windows. On the LHS, the first letter of the registration commences 8.5 inches aft of the last window. RHS location is not defined on this drawing. |
|
15
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Although Yellow is specified for "chop through markings" these "Cut Here" markings are not shown on the source drawing. |
The Evolution of the Qantas 707 Tail
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ORIGINAL 1959 - 1961The original tail markings as carried by VH-EBA to VH-EBG inclusive. |
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40TH ANNIVERSARY 1960-1961The 40th Anniversary tail markings as carried by several aircraft in 1960 and 1961. |
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INTERIM 1961The interim tail markings as carried by VH-EBH, VH-EBI, VH-EBJ and VH-EBK. |
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TRANSITION TO THE V-JET SCHEME 1961This photo from
September 1961 shows the three stages of the 707-138 livery. |
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V-JET 1961 -1964The first V-Jet livery which was introduced in July 1961. VH-EBL and VH-EBM were delivered in this livery which was applied retrospectively to all 707-138B. |
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V-JET (MOD) 1964 - 1971The modified V-Jet livery with the incorporation of QANTAS into the V-Jet design. This variation was introduced in July 1964 and applied progressively to all 707-138B. All 707-338Cs were delivered in this livery. |
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OCHRE 1971 - 1979The ultimate ochre
livery carried by all 707-338Cs remaining
in service. |