Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Apr 26, 2007 1:17:26 GMT
COLOMBIA's COLOURFUL AEROCONDOR
Airlines from the Republic of Colombia have since the early 1960's become reknowned for creating of some of the most colourful, imaginative, and artistic liveries to grace civil aircraft and the world aviation scene. "AEROVIAS CONDOR DE COLOMBIA" was by no means any exception to this psychedelic genius in respect of the colourful variations of corporate identity it employed throughout the airlines 25 year operational history.
Aerocondor Colombia was a private operator founded by ex AVIANCA pilots, in association with the MILLON Brothers, whom together recognized an opportunity to establish a new airline dedicated to flying air freight services throughout the republic from Colombia's northernmost industrial city of Barranquilla. Services commenced during August 1955 using C46 COMMANDO aircraft which were later complimented by DC3's. Progressive expansion throughout the airlines early foundation years saw most of its aircraft fleet eventaully reconfigured for passenger services and DC4, DC6-B, and L1649 STARLINER propliners added to its fleet throughout the 1960's. These aircraft enabled Aerocondor to commence flying international services between Barranquilla and Miami from 1963. During April 1969 the airline entered the turboprop era when it began re-equipping with L188 ELECTRA aircraft acquired from American Airlines. These aircraft progressively replaced the airlines classic propliner fleet during the early 1970's. In 1972 a rare Canadair CC-106 YUKON aircraft was acquired by the airline exclusively for air freight operations, and during December 1972 Aerocondor Colombia entered the jet age upon acquiring a B720-023B aircraft from McCulloch International Airlines. This aircraft was followed into service by a 2nd ex McCulloch International B720-023B during 1974. The introduction of longer ranging B720-B aircraft modernized the airlines image (by the standards of the time) and promoted potential for even greater expansion. This enabled the airline to introduce modern jet services to Aruba, Curacao, Guatemala City, Panama, Port-au-Prince, and Santo Domingo, whilst also increasing the frequency of its services to Miami from Colombia's principal cities of Bogota, and Medellin. Most of these services were direct but some flights were also operated to various international destinations via Isla de San Andres .... a small Colombian possession (in conjunction with Isla de Providencia) located in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Nicaragua. By this stage Aerocondor had been developed into a respected carrier and was being regarded as Colombia's 2nd international airline. It was was also beginning to compete internationally with the countries national carrier .... AVIANCA Colombia .... and much to the concern of both that airlines management and political representatives whom were intent upon protecting the interests of AVIANCA. During 1975 financial control of Aerocondor passed from the companies foundation management to Jorge BARCO VARGAS .... a former Civil Aeronautica chairman and the brother of a former president of the republic. Further expansion by Aerocondor continued during early 1976 and saw the airline acquire 3 ex American Airlines B707-123B's. One of these aircraft (HK-1818) was converted to a pure freighter .... one of very few such B707-120B type conversions. This particular aircraft operated almost exclusively between Medellin and Miami, in support of the lucrative flower export market which exists between Colombia and USA to this day. The late 1970's also saw the airline begin disposing of its L188 ELECTRA turboprop fleet. 2 of these aircraft were sold to VARIG Brazillian Airlines whilst the 3 remaining ELECTRA's were retained by the airline and converted to freighters. 1977 was a proud year for Aerocondor Colombia when the airline entered the wide-body jetliner era upon its acquisition of a factory fresh AIRBUS A300B-4 .... named "Ciudad de Barranquilla" .... in honour of the airlines home port of origin. This particular aircraft became both the very first wide-body jet to ever be operated by a Colombian airline, and also the first A300B AIRBUS to be operated by a Latin American carrier. The aircraft entered service on highly competitive routes between Miami and the Republic of Colombia. Plans to introduce into service a 2nd AIRBUS A300B during 1978 failed to materialize through fiscal under-achievement by the airlines new management regime.
During 1979 ownership of Aerocondor was again transferred .... this time to both the COTES and CALDERON brothers, Shortly thereafter the already financially beleaguered airline entered a period of major crisis .... a situation imposed more by poor control and internal corruption by its later/previous management regime rather than market forces alone.The airlines A300B AIRBUS was eventually returned to its lessors and during May 1980 the company entered bankruptsy and finally ceased operations. For a time hope remained that Aerocondor Colombia services might be restored but negotiations between the pilots, the liquidators, and the Colombian government all failed to secure a rescue package or result in resurrection of the company. The airlines fleet of classic B707-120 & B720-B jetliners, and L188 ELECTRA turboprops remained grounded and were eventually stricken from the Colombian civil air register (most were eventually broken up) as the colourful identity of the once progressive and proud Aerocondor de Colombia finally receeded forever into world civil aviation history.
Like many fledgling carriers throughout the Latin American region, Aerocondor Colombia's first aircraft was the classic piston engined CURTISS C46 COMMANDO. Between 1955 and 1969 these aircraft supported the airlines colourful original livery comprising of a distinctive yellow and black bumble-bee stripping.
Classic DC6-B propliners entered Aerocondor service during the early 1960's and were also first operated the airlines original attractive black, yellow, and white livery.
L188 ELECTRA turboprop aircraft entered Aerocondor Colombia service from 1969 and introduced the airlines then new "Tairona" livery .... featuring revised/full "AEROCONDOR DE COLOMBIA" fuselage titles, and tail logo .... which featured a cultural emblem representative of the indigenous Tairona tribe whom first inhabited Colombia's northern coastal regions. This same version of livery was also eventually applied to the airlines C46 & DC6 fleet.
1973 saw a change in corporate identity when the first of 3 vibrant new yellow, orange, and maroon coloured liveries were introduced. This colourful livery was applied across the airlines ELECTRA fleet and also later to both of its 2 B720-B aircraft.
In December 1972 B720-023B HK-1973 became Aerocondor Colombia'a first jet equipment. Throughout the first few months of its service to the airline this particular aircraft supported a hybrid scheme of maroon and blue McCulloch International Airlines fuselage stripes with "AEROCONDOR COLOMBIA" titles.
During 1973 B720-023B HK-1973 was repainted into Aerocondor's vibrant new yellow, orange, and maroon fuselage colours.
B720-023B HK-1974 also supported the same attractive variation of Aerocondor livery but only for a very short time. The airline retained this particular livery only until the mid 1970's.
During 1974 B720-023B HK-1974 introduced a modified but equally colourful variation of Aerocondor livery.... featuring yellow, orange, and maroon stripping over a natural metal
fuselage.
2 B720-B aircraft were operated by Aerocondor Colombia and featured all 3 1970's variations of the airlines colourful and attractive corporate identity.
The airlines natural metal fuselage crownskin was replaced during the late 1970's by white topped fuselage .... whilst also retaining Aerocondor's former natural metal lower fuselage surface along with the airlines standard mid 1970's style yellow, orange, and maroon stripping. HK-1974 was the airlines only B720-B to support this final variation of livery.
This same new colourful variation of Aercondor livery was also applied to the airlines B707-123B fleet and remained in use until the late 1970's.
A total of 3 B707-123B's were acquired by Aerocondor Colombia during 1976. Each of these aircraft first supported the same natural metal, yellow, orange, maroon livery applied to the airlines B720-B fleet during the mid 1970's.
B707-123B HK-1818 was converted to a pure freighter .... redesignated "B707-120BF". This particular aircraft became one of very few such civil frieghter conversions of B707-120B type aircraft and was first operated in the airlines mid 1970's natural metal, yellow, orange, maroon livery.
B707-123BF HK-1818 also became one of only 3 Aerocondor jetliners to ever support the airlines final variation of livery which was introduced during the late 1970's .... featuring the white topped fuselage and natural metal lower fuselage with yellow, orange, and maroon stripping. This scheme remained in use by the airline until the very end.
The modern/advanced wide-body AIRBUS A300B-4 became the airlines final fleet acquisition and pride of Aerocondor Colombia. This aircraft entered service during 1977 and featured the same late 1970's style livery introduced just prior to the airlines collapse during May 1980.
Camilo LUENGAS & Mark CRANSTON
Special thanks to retired Aerocondor Colombia Captain Hugo LUENGAS for his invaluable and much appreciated assistance with this feature.
Airlines from the Republic of Colombia have since the early 1960's become reknowned for creating of some of the most colourful, imaginative, and artistic liveries to grace civil aircraft and the world aviation scene. "AEROVIAS CONDOR DE COLOMBIA" was by no means any exception to this psychedelic genius in respect of the colourful variations of corporate identity it employed throughout the airlines 25 year operational history.
Aerocondor Colombia was a private operator founded by ex AVIANCA pilots, in association with the MILLON Brothers, whom together recognized an opportunity to establish a new airline dedicated to flying air freight services throughout the republic from Colombia's northernmost industrial city of Barranquilla. Services commenced during August 1955 using C46 COMMANDO aircraft which were later complimented by DC3's. Progressive expansion throughout the airlines early foundation years saw most of its aircraft fleet eventaully reconfigured for passenger services and DC4, DC6-B, and L1649 STARLINER propliners added to its fleet throughout the 1960's. These aircraft enabled Aerocondor to commence flying international services between Barranquilla and Miami from 1963. During April 1969 the airline entered the turboprop era when it began re-equipping with L188 ELECTRA aircraft acquired from American Airlines. These aircraft progressively replaced the airlines classic propliner fleet during the early 1970's. In 1972 a rare Canadair CC-106 YUKON aircraft was acquired by the airline exclusively for air freight operations, and during December 1972 Aerocondor Colombia entered the jet age upon acquiring a B720-023B aircraft from McCulloch International Airlines. This aircraft was followed into service by a 2nd ex McCulloch International B720-023B during 1974. The introduction of longer ranging B720-B aircraft modernized the airlines image (by the standards of the time) and promoted potential for even greater expansion. This enabled the airline to introduce modern jet services to Aruba, Curacao, Guatemala City, Panama, Port-au-Prince, and Santo Domingo, whilst also increasing the frequency of its services to Miami from Colombia's principal cities of Bogota, and Medellin. Most of these services were direct but some flights were also operated to various international destinations via Isla de San Andres .... a small Colombian possession (in conjunction with Isla de Providencia) located in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Nicaragua. By this stage Aerocondor had been developed into a respected carrier and was being regarded as Colombia's 2nd international airline. It was was also beginning to compete internationally with the countries national carrier .... AVIANCA Colombia .... and much to the concern of both that airlines management and political representatives whom were intent upon protecting the interests of AVIANCA. During 1975 financial control of Aerocondor passed from the companies foundation management to Jorge BARCO VARGAS .... a former Civil Aeronautica chairman and the brother of a former president of the republic. Further expansion by Aerocondor continued during early 1976 and saw the airline acquire 3 ex American Airlines B707-123B's. One of these aircraft (HK-1818) was converted to a pure freighter .... one of very few such B707-120B type conversions. This particular aircraft operated almost exclusively between Medellin and Miami, in support of the lucrative flower export market which exists between Colombia and USA to this day. The late 1970's also saw the airline begin disposing of its L188 ELECTRA turboprop fleet. 2 of these aircraft were sold to VARIG Brazillian Airlines whilst the 3 remaining ELECTRA's were retained by the airline and converted to freighters. 1977 was a proud year for Aerocondor Colombia when the airline entered the wide-body jetliner era upon its acquisition of a factory fresh AIRBUS A300B-4 .... named "Ciudad de Barranquilla" .... in honour of the airlines home port of origin. This particular aircraft became both the very first wide-body jet to ever be operated by a Colombian airline, and also the first A300B AIRBUS to be operated by a Latin American carrier. The aircraft entered service on highly competitive routes between Miami and the Republic of Colombia. Plans to introduce into service a 2nd AIRBUS A300B during 1978 failed to materialize through fiscal under-achievement by the airlines new management regime.
During 1979 ownership of Aerocondor was again transferred .... this time to both the COTES and CALDERON brothers, Shortly thereafter the already financially beleaguered airline entered a period of major crisis .... a situation imposed more by poor control and internal corruption by its later/previous management regime rather than market forces alone.The airlines A300B AIRBUS was eventually returned to its lessors and during May 1980 the company entered bankruptsy and finally ceased operations. For a time hope remained that Aerocondor Colombia services might be restored but negotiations between the pilots, the liquidators, and the Colombian government all failed to secure a rescue package or result in resurrection of the company. The airlines fleet of classic B707-120 & B720-B jetliners, and L188 ELECTRA turboprops remained grounded and were eventually stricken from the Colombian civil air register (most were eventually broken up) as the colourful identity of the once progressive and proud Aerocondor de Colombia finally receeded forever into world civil aviation history.
Like many fledgling carriers throughout the Latin American region, Aerocondor Colombia's first aircraft was the classic piston engined CURTISS C46 COMMANDO. Between 1955 and 1969 these aircraft supported the airlines colourful original livery comprising of a distinctive yellow and black bumble-bee stripping.
Classic DC6-B propliners entered Aerocondor service during the early 1960's and were also first operated the airlines original attractive black, yellow, and white livery.
L188 ELECTRA turboprop aircraft entered Aerocondor Colombia service from 1969 and introduced the airlines then new "Tairona" livery .... featuring revised/full "AEROCONDOR DE COLOMBIA" fuselage titles, and tail logo .... which featured a cultural emblem representative of the indigenous Tairona tribe whom first inhabited Colombia's northern coastal regions. This same version of livery was also eventually applied to the airlines C46 & DC6 fleet.
1973 saw a change in corporate identity when the first of 3 vibrant new yellow, orange, and maroon coloured liveries were introduced. This colourful livery was applied across the airlines ELECTRA fleet and also later to both of its 2 B720-B aircraft.
In December 1972 B720-023B HK-1973 became Aerocondor Colombia'a first jet equipment. Throughout the first few months of its service to the airline this particular aircraft supported a hybrid scheme of maroon and blue McCulloch International Airlines fuselage stripes with "AEROCONDOR COLOMBIA" titles.
During 1973 B720-023B HK-1973 was repainted into Aerocondor's vibrant new yellow, orange, and maroon fuselage colours.
B720-023B HK-1974 also supported the same attractive variation of Aerocondor livery but only for a very short time. The airline retained this particular livery only until the mid 1970's.
During 1974 B720-023B HK-1974 introduced a modified but equally colourful variation of Aerocondor livery.... featuring yellow, orange, and maroon stripping over a natural metal
fuselage.
2 B720-B aircraft were operated by Aerocondor Colombia and featured all 3 1970's variations of the airlines colourful and attractive corporate identity.
The airlines natural metal fuselage crownskin was replaced during the late 1970's by white topped fuselage .... whilst also retaining Aerocondor's former natural metal lower fuselage surface along with the airlines standard mid 1970's style yellow, orange, and maroon stripping. HK-1974 was the airlines only B720-B to support this final variation of livery.
This same new colourful variation of Aercondor livery was also applied to the airlines B707-123B fleet and remained in use until the late 1970's.
A total of 3 B707-123B's were acquired by Aerocondor Colombia during 1976. Each of these aircraft first supported the same natural metal, yellow, orange, maroon livery applied to the airlines B720-B fleet during the mid 1970's.
B707-123B HK-1818 was converted to a pure freighter .... redesignated "B707-120BF". This particular aircraft became one of very few such civil frieghter conversions of B707-120B type aircraft and was first operated in the airlines mid 1970's natural metal, yellow, orange, maroon livery.
B707-123BF HK-1818 also became one of only 3 Aerocondor jetliners to ever support the airlines final variation of livery which was introduced during the late 1970's .... featuring the white topped fuselage and natural metal lower fuselage with yellow, orange, and maroon stripping. This scheme remained in use by the airline until the very end.
The modern/advanced wide-body AIRBUS A300B-4 became the airlines final fleet acquisition and pride of Aerocondor Colombia. This aircraft entered service during 1977 and featured the same late 1970's style livery introduced just prior to the airlines collapse during May 1980.
Camilo LUENGAS & Mark CRANSTON
Special thanks to retired Aerocondor Colombia Captain Hugo LUENGAS for his invaluable and much appreciated assistance with this feature.
