BOMBING WEEK - Royal New Zealand Air Force

AK 06-0087-01
FORTY YEAR ANNIVERSARY FOR
P-3 ORION
OPERATIONS
SQNLDR SIMON JENSEN
MAINTENANCE FLIGHT COMMANDER
The idea of painting an aircraft in a commemorative paint scheme
is common in Air Forces around the world. As the Orion has been in
continuous service since 1966, I thought it would be a good opportunity
to design an aircraft paint fi nish that would celebrate 40 years of RNZAF
P3 operations.
In November last year LAC Nick Rolston mentioned that 2006 will be
the 40-year anniversary for the fl eet. He suggested that we should design
an anniversary tail graphic to mark this anniversary so he was asked to
come up with a design. Nick provided a picture of the albatross/silver fern
concept much as you see it here and the text as well. Graphic artist, Ms
Tamasin Day, helped put his ideas into print. The CAF was presented with
the design in two colour options, from which he selected the white/black
and suggested we include the Lockheed Martin logo in recognition of their
achievement as well.
Base Photographic and OCDT Alec Hutchings worked with S&S section
to prepare the detailed layout, while the painting team of CPL Carl Porter
and CPL Richie Cullen (5 SQN) toiled long and hard over a weekend (plus
some) along with some willing S&S helpers. The painters learnt a few
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN69, APRIL 06
A special Livery paint job on the Orion Tail.
lessons on big painting jobs along the way but can be justifi ably proud
of the great result!
Painting a fi n fl ash over the vertical stabiliser was seen as the most appropriate
method of changing the aircraft paint scheme, this would allow the
aircraft to keep overall low-visibility grey colour for day to day operations.
After consultation it was decided to try and incorporate an albatross in the
design, as it is the emblem within No.5 Squadron’s crest.
After many concepts, the fi nal design was developed and submitted.
Using stylised imagery the fi nal design combines elements of New
Zealand represented through a fern on a black background. Black is synonymous
with New Zealand’s international sporting representation. The fern
fronds made up of six albatross. The number of birds is symbolic of the
number of aircraft in the fl eet. The albatross is renowned for its endurance,
survivability and ocean-roaming ability. These are characteristics the
albatross shares with the Orion.
The initial reaction to the completed fi n design has been positive.
Some people have commented the entire aircraft should be painted black.
Who knows… maybe for the 50th anniversary?
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