Courtesy of a scratch and dent sale at Waffle's I just got a Dragon Wings 747-127 to go with my Gemini Jets series 227. The Dragon mould is pretty good except the undercarriage being a bit simple though the printing isn't amazing. The cockpit windows are too small and the reg which should read N601BN says N501BN (both of these things were fixed in a subsequent Jet-X release on the same mould). Still for less than $10 (the model is undamaged but has no box just a cradle) I can't complain and she looks good with my BN fleet.
The Gemini mould also isn't great and like many early GJ 747s the cockpit windows are a bit large. She may also be a bit dark on the orange but she also still looks good and together they make a nice couple.
Onto the history:
Braniffs first 747 was nicknamed The Great Pumpkin, Big Orange or Fat Albert due to its bright orange scheme and was decked out internally with the finest leather seats and furnishings. The cabin was split into five rooms with its own colours and lounge space and was branded the 747 Braniff Palace The Most Exclusive Address in the Sky. Revenue service began on 14th January 1971 between Dallas and Honolulu. For the next seven years the airlines sole 747 (a second was cancelled) operated the daily Hawaii service recording record utilisation rates for the type. In February 1978 the frame was moved to the new Dallas-Gatwick route but only until March when a second 747 joined the fleet (N602BN). By the end of the 70s Braniff was in full insane expansion mode and by late 1979 was operating 3 747-100s, 3 747-200s and 1 747SP with 3 more SPs on order (only 2 of which were delivered). N601BN actually operated Braniffs last ever flight and subsequently went to Metro Int and then Tower Air. As N601FF she flew until she was broken up in May 1994.
Incidentally it is interesting that N601Bn wore this non-standard livery - not a full Jellybean (no black anti-glare shield or white wings) and no a Flying Colors either.
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Braniff International Boeing 747s 'Big Orange' by rstretton, on Flickr
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Braniff International Boeing 747s 'Big Orange' by rstretton, on Flickr
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Braniff International Boeing 747s 'Big Orange' by rstretton, on Flickr
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Braniff International Boeing 747s 'Big Orange' by rstretton, on Flickr
![]()
Braniff International Boeing 747s 'Big Orange' by rstretton, on Flickr
![]()
Braniff International Boeing 747s 'Big Orange' by rstretton, on Flickr
The Gemini mould also isn't great and like many early GJ 747s the cockpit windows are a bit large. She may also be a bit dark on the orange but she also still looks good and together they make a nice couple.
Onto the history:
Braniffs first 747 was nicknamed The Great Pumpkin, Big Orange or Fat Albert due to its bright orange scheme and was decked out internally with the finest leather seats and furnishings. The cabin was split into five rooms with its own colours and lounge space and was branded the 747 Braniff Palace The Most Exclusive Address in the Sky. Revenue service began on 14th January 1971 between Dallas and Honolulu. For the next seven years the airlines sole 747 (a second was cancelled) operated the daily Hawaii service recording record utilisation rates for the type. In February 1978 the frame was moved to the new Dallas-Gatwick route but only until March when a second 747 joined the fleet (N602BN). By the end of the 70s Braniff was in full insane expansion mode and by late 1979 was operating 3 747-100s, 3 747-200s and 1 747SP with 3 more SPs on order (only 2 of which were delivered). N601BN actually operated Braniffs last ever flight and subsequently went to Metro Int and then Tower Air. As N601FF she flew until she was broken up in May 1994.
Incidentally it is interesting that N601Bn wore this non-standard livery - not a full Jellybean (no black anti-glare shield or white wings) and no a Flying Colors either.
Braniff International Boeing 747s 'Big Orange' by rstretton, on Flickr
Braniff International Boeing 747s 'Big Orange' by rstretton, on Flickr
Braniff International Boeing 747s 'Big Orange' by rstretton, on Flickr
Braniff International Boeing 747s 'Big Orange' by rstretton, on Flickr
Braniff International Boeing 747s 'Big Orange' by rstretton, on Flickr
Braniff International Boeing 747s 'Big Orange' by rstretton, on Flickr