Braniff International Color Test Aircraft In the summer of 1965, Braniff tested a series of colors and combinations on a previously retired Douglas DC-6. This shows the aircraft in Solid Color Blue, but Dark Metallic Purple with small white logos and titles, red and Orange were also tried. Note the small "BI" on the tail and the title is in white, which on the final designs were painted black.
NOTE: Braniff NEVER flew a DC-6 in the "solid-color" scheme. I have seen decals on eBay for a solid-color 6, but remember, the paint only was applied for a few days.
In addition to this aircraft, aluminum sheets were painted in various colors picked by Alexander Girard and placed on the roof of Braniff's Lemon Ave. Base. (During a cocktail party, Girard a bit drunk, fell into the paint samples. So the designer was wearing his own colors! Several Girard colors were not picked beacuse of oxidation and durability problems.
Braniff Photos via George W. Cearley, Jr and Glenn Geddis.
Page from the 1965 "Braniff Annual Report" showing the new Girard designs.
Girard Inspired Colors on 707s, and colored planes at Love Field, Texas.
Description of fabrics and colors applied to Braniff aircraft in 1965.
This scan was taken from the back of a Braniff postcard Circa 1965.
The infamous "Lavender" Boeing 720 which had to be repainted whithin a month because The people of Mexico thought "it bad luck."
The engineers at Braniff gave N7076 the nickname "The Lavender Hill Monster." (This is the same plane that appeared in "The End of the Plain Plane" ads and brochures...but the color was re-touched to a medium blue.)
Here it is UNRETOUCHED:
And The FINAL RETOUCHED Version:
Again, in the ORIGINAL LAVENDER:
The Nose of the Lavender 720:
First Publicity photos of Girard's re-design. Note: 720 is in the original "Lavender" color which was re-touched for trhe final photos in blue due to the fact that purple, white and black was taboo in Mexico. The middle photo showes the "re-touched" photo showing the plane in "medium blue."
Pictures Via UTD H.A.C.
Braniff International BAC-111
With two Pucci clad hostesses at Dallas Love Field
Picture taken for "The End of the Plain Plane" introduced in 1965.
Famous picture of Braniff employees on the wing of a Boeing 720.
This image was used in the "End of the Plain Plane" ads, and featured the new Pucci uniforms, Girard designs and artwork from South America.
Braniff Introduced Seven Colors: Powder Blue, Medium Blue,
Orange, Ochre, Turquoise, Lemon Yellow and beige. (Lavender was also introduced as shown above, but dropped)
The colors were proposed by herman miller designer, Alexander Girard, and modified by Braniff In-house departments.
Aer Lingus 707 briefly leased by Braniff. This picture was taken right before it was returned to Ireland.
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