Dean Baldwin Painting LP., was honored to have been selected by Air Canada to paint their new 80th anniversary livery.
From the beginning it was clear this would not be a typical paint program. First the Dean Baldwin team had to agree to complete confidentiality. Next came the somewhat intricate plan to simultaneously hangar and paint three aircraft, a B787 Dreamliner and 2 A321 aircraft, to their new never before seen livery, then disguise the aircraft to look like any standard livery, conceal them in closed hangars until the precise moment when they would be flown out after dark to three different cities where the aircraft would be prepared for a reveal celebration (which included the removal of the disguise camo decals) that would take place in less than 24 hours from touch down.
The Air Canada, Dean Baldwin Painting relationship goes back nearly a decade; so, Air Canada was familiar with the Baldwin quality and customer service; and, they knew the Indiana facility could house all three aircraft at the same time.
The planning for this project began months earlier with discussions centered on processes and timing. All involved agreed that the project had to be secret for the reveal to be impactful. “I had all the confidence in the world we could paint the new livery and make it look beautiful,” said Barbara Baldwin, CEO Dean Baldwin Painting. “But, could we keep it a secret with so many people being part of the project.” The project was a complete success. The coating suppliers, chemical suppliers and the aircraft OEM were on site to assist.
The aircraft were repainted as scheduled. On the morning of February 9th the aircraft were on location, each in a different city, Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal ready for the unveiling. Hundreds gathered in the hangar in front of a hug curtain cancelling the aircraft. Then on cue the curtain fell revealing the new the new black, white and red livery designed by international design firm Winkreative–headed by Canadian entrepreneur Tyler Brûlé. The crowd gasped and applauded with approval.
Air Canada plans to repaint the entire fleet of 300-strong mainline and regional aircraft in the new livery within four year period.
