G-VXLG going Gatwick config?

Originally posted by mitchja

David

FAB, BIG and HOT all had Arcadia fitted to start with, which was replaced with V:Port during the UCS re-fit program.

Regards

ahh - thanks for that, knew there would be some sensible explanation.

David

VITB, both as you say are interesting to see. The current VS silver being very difficult to achieve an even colour (i think "AB" was the first & worst).

Cabin refits are also good to see & with experience can be carried out in conjunction with a C or D check. Cathay have recently stripped out the entire pax cabin from one of their 744's & fitted it to an ex SQ aircraft that they bought (the original CX 744 was converted to a B744BCF). The wiring is one of the main issues in cabin refits (especially IFE replacement), toilets & galleys are catered for at manufacture by having lots of spare connections.

VS aircraft are actually not all the same (even same types), as the were not all originally ordered at build by VS, hence the different IFE systems etc.

Originally posted by Denzil
VITB, both as you say are interesting to see. The current VS silver being very difficult to achieve an even colour (i think "AB" was the first & worst).

I remember 'AB' used to have a very dull/dirty "grey" look to it, compared to the more pearly look of the later aircraft.

But, it looks like the Dutch got the hang of it in the end .

Cheers!
Mike

[mitchja]

Looks like XLG is back at LGW:

VS812P From Amsterdam, N/lands G-VXLG 744 30/06/2006 16:49

Regards

FAB was the first aircraft to get the new silver livery, apparently Joan Branson did not like it so the made it lighter and now the aircraft all show off the amazing current livery which looks great in the sunny weather.

I'm pretty sure it was planned from the beginning to be the silver color, it was just messed up with G-VFAB.

It was SRB who visited KLM to inspect G-VFAB, the colour was too dark & didn't have the effect of polished metal that was desired. A repaint was in order, this time it ended up the right shade, but looking like a patch work quilt. Over the years KLM have achieved a good finish. It's very much like the pearlescent paint on modern cars, whilst it looks brilliant initially, it's very difficult to match if touch ups are required.

VS has also found that the extra cost of this painting has had an unforseen benefit, the paint finish is latsting longer than a normal paint finish did. Therefore it has worked out cheaper in the long run as the aircraft don't require repainting so often !

[Neil]

Believe G-VXLG is now back in operation as MAN/LGW Config and has been spotted doing the VS073 to MCO ex MAN recently - just wondering if maybe the Aircraft Database part of the site could be updated to show this as its correct config now?:) Im sure it was on the list of things to do but just thought i would mention it incase it was overlooked

Neil:)

according to the database it has started flying to boston again from heathrow. is this just a mistake with the database?

There are a few mistakes in the data base from what I can see. When I look at the route history of some of the aircraft, it states that they have flown to one place when I have actually been on that aircraft flying somewhere else.

No, I think it flew to BOS for about 3 or 4 days last week, as VS were short of aircraft at LHR. VROC was not in service for a few days, neither was VFOX, and VMEG was in Zurich being changed to config 2. To add to all this, the new JFK service started.

As VXLG wasn't needed at LGW/MAN until Thursday it operated from LHR for a few days to cover, and even then 2 JFK flights were cancelled last week. VXLG has since been reported on MAN-MCO.

[Neil]

mavml is 100% correct, VXLG helped out at LHR early last week but has since returned to MAN/LGW, so database does need updating

Neil

There are still mistakes though, but it doesn't really matter.