Flying colours for patriotism test?

Trucks and buses tend to be more imaginatively liveried than cars. And colour schemes and emblems are now bright and varied even on commercial aircraft, unlike the usual monochrome paintwork on four-wheelers. No wonder US President Donald Trump apparently has grand plans for the new Air Force One aircraft to be delivered by Boeing, which includes ditching the traditional staid blue-and-white livery in favour of the red-white-and-blue combination of the US flag.

Americans show their love for their ‘star-spangled banner’ by using the iconic tricolour on everything from cakes and caps to buntings and bikinis; so, a presidential airplane emblazoned with stars and stripes (instead of just a small version of the flag on the tail fin) should find favour there, and not merely among Trump’s supporters.

Many aircraft specially bought to fly heads of states and governments have their flag colours modestly but clearly displayed on the body. France even has the same set of colours as the US splayed across the tail fin of its presidential plane.


India, it may be recalled, has also placed an order for longhaul planes for the President and Prime Minister, which are set to be delivered in 2020. As there is no precedent when it comes to livery for these aircraft, will the government also trump traditionalists and opt for patriotic raiment?