A Qantas 737 has broken cover at Boeing Field, Seattle wearing the latest in Qantas’s irregular series of “Flying Art” Indigenous paint schemes.
New-build 737-838 VH-XZJ is pictured here landing at Boeing Field on October 29.
Named Mendoowoorrji, the scheme is “from a painting which captures the heart of the Kimberley region”, according to Qantas. A special page on the Qantas website will detail the aircraft’s delivery flight to Australia, planned for mid November.
Mendoowoorrji becomes the fifth Qantas aircraft to wear an indigenous scheme, with two 747-400s (first VH-OJB and then OEJ) wearing the Wunala Dreaming scheme, 747-300 VH-EBU was painted as Nalanji Dreaming, and 737-800 VH-VXB was painted as Yananyi Dreaming.
Qantas has posted a Youtube clip – below – and will tweet about the aircraft using the #QFflyingart hashtag.
Peter Prothero
says:While I am for anything that promotes inclusivity and the culture of indigenous Australians, I hope this is not mere tokenism. Therefore, I feel compelled to ask how many Aboriginal people are in Qantas employment? Are there Aboriginal flight attendants?
australianaviation.com.au
says:Hi Peter, Qantas details some information about its Indigenous workforce and its ‘Reconciliation Action Plan’ in this press release – http://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/adam-goodes-announced-as-new-qantas-ambassador
david
says:VH-OJB as of 2012 was stored at Victorville
VH-OEJ as of 212 still in service but back to true paint
Ex-Qantas 747-300 VH-EBU “Nalanji Dreaming” stored at Avalon Airport for a few years
Steve Arnold
says:@Peter Prothero
There are 2 Full Indigenous International Flight Attendants.
Jim
says:What a boring livery. But good on qantas for promoting indigenous culture in aus
Peter Jones
says:I hope this isn’t the finished “product”. It looks uncompleted compared to the extensive artwork on previous aircraft.
Mick
says:I don’t understand why they got rid of the Wunala Dreaming livery. Such an indentifiable scheme which the public loved. I Agree with John, this new one is boring.
Red Barron
says:I like it. Something a bit different to keep your eye out there. Good on you Qantas mix it up a bit more, Still love seeing the Disney aeroplanes 767 coming into land over my place is Brisbane.
Mitch
says:@Steve Arnold
It is inappropriate to regard someone as “full Indigenous”. By that definition, are others “less Indigenous”?
Bob
says:What an absolute cop out, go hard or go home QF.
Anonymous
says:Hi Peter Prothero,
In answer to your question, as at 30 June 2013 there were 354 indigenous across wholly-owned entities of Qantas Airways Limited.