Sponsored Warbirds….

I’d rather eat a Crunchy bar than a block of spread though! 😀

(For those not following the UK Stearperson & Girl team, the Butterlies used to be sponsored by Cadbury’s and advertise Crunchy.)

I remember there being a competition by Cadbury’s for a flight in/on the Stearman some years ago – made myself sick eating bloody Crunchies! :p

I’d rather eat a Crunchy bar than a block of spread though! 😀

(For those not following the UK Stearperson & Girl team, the Butterlies used to be sponsored by Cadbury’s and advertise Crunchy.)

If I’m thinking of buying a high energy drink it can ONLY be REDBULL – due to there Sea Vixen sponsorship. An example of how it all works. 🙂

Never use anything except Utterly Butterly in our house. Same rationale.

Moggy

I’m sure you’re right James. There are many alternatives and I guess looking outside the square never hurts.

I particularly like the colour scheme that used to adorn DH89 that I photographed at Rukuhia back in the mid 1980’s, wearing sponsorship from one of New Zealand’s best breweries, Monteiths (then it was a small regional boutique company, now it is internationally known – sponsorship like this did both the aircraft and the brewery a lot of good).

Today the scheme has been repainted, and though I do like the ‘modern’ original scheme it now wears, I miss the Monteiths scheme.

If I’m thinking of buying a high energy drink it can ONLY be REDBULL – due to there Sea Vixen sponsorship. An example of how it all works. 🙂

What sponsorship where?

When you go to an airshow venue, you are normally bombarded with advertising. It would be nice if some of that was going to funding the aircraft operations more directly.

It’s been happening in Australia for years. The B-25 VH-XXV wore a rather unique (and huge) Tiger as part of a relationship with Esso in the eighties; the HARS aircraft (Connie, Cat etc) carry appropriate logos for sponsors which make me feel a bias toward those companies (support my warbirds, I’ll support you) and Matt Denning’s Boomerang carried a ‘Tennex’ logo while they sponsored his aircraft (now gone, as the deal is over, acording to Matt) and a discrete BP logo on the wheel cover.

The Royal Navy Historic Flight’s Swordfish W5856 carries a small BAe (or whatever the name is this hour) logo; as did the late lamented Mosquito RR299. For pounds spent supporting vintage British Aviation with the worst brand recognition of doing so BAe are in a league of their own. Meanwhile, in the red corner…

Different point. Specifically, I’m very impressed that Richard Branson really has most of the people fooled most of the time. Why does his name come up so often in these cases? Because his media operation make it so. If you look at Virgin’s actual spend vs PR milage (that is, the hard coin they part with, as opposed to talking about it) they are a case study of how to make a lot of noise and no action go a long way. I don’t like or dislike Virgin or Richard, but the last thing he wanted was to actually be given or buy the Concorde operation. Noise about Concorde, oh yes. The real thing? No way. PR stunt? Brilliant. Content and commitment? None. Let’s look a bit further than the main media manipulators. (Just my opinion – This thought was brought to you by independant thought, in retreat worldwide for over 100 years, TM. 😀 )

I’d rather it not happen but being realistic about it my answer is I’d rather see any warbird in a Red Bull livery than not see it flying at all. When all is said and done we have to face the ffact that these machines are horrendously expensive to operate and are not helped by the wonderful new regulations so it stands to reason that the operators will be forced to take any steps they can to keep the machines operational.

…the Virgin train of thought…

Does that mean the sponsored aircraft would be late for each display? LOL

I agree with previous comments – would rather see an aircraft in the air in ANY colourscheme. Stating the obvious – paintschemes can be taken off again.

Roger Smith.

Judging by their DC6, ignoring any question of historical accuracy, a Red Bull B17 would look absolutely stunning.

As I see it, a ‘warbird’ wearing a promotional livery, as a flying advertising hoarding, is no different to say, an aircraft of a similar vintage in civil colours as a fire bomber…

..it is just another chapter in the history of that particular airframe.

~Ducks to avoid hurled missiles~

It is a slightly different matter if the particular aircraft is in itself recognised as a monument to wartime sacrifice. So the question there is, what kind of logo is sufficiently subtle and appropriate?

I agree with it, as long as its relatively discreet or suits the aircraft well,

So to sum up, you’d rather Sally B was sitting on the ground than flying in a ‘Red Bull’ type livery?

I find that very hard to comprehend.

Moggy

Why not also approach companies owned by the genuine airmen of WWII or their families. Surely a good number of wealthy companies must exist that were started or owned by people who actually flew in the air war.

Also find genuine colour schemes with nose art relating to a product, like the Old Crow Mustang

Carrying on on the Virgin train of thought, supporting this cause would surely do the company no harm, publicity wise, given its interest in the transatlantic market.

When I get more time I will try some graphic artwork to show how it might look…

I agree with it, as long as its relatively discreet or suits the aircraft well, for example a virgin logo in place of the nose art on a B-17 would suit pretty well if it was changed a bit

This is probably relevant on one of the Sally B threads as well,but what about approaching Enigma productions, the company owned by Lord David Putnam for some sponsership?I am sure Memphis Belle made him some money and it would be relevant to the airframe.(if I was clever enough I would post a picture of Sally B with the titling on,Will?!).

BMW sponsoring a 109?

Or Rolls-Royce sponsoring the 109’s I seem to have seen. 😀

BMW sponsoring a 109?

Maybe someone like a phone company or internet provider.I suppose you would need large companies like shopping superstores but not sure if they would want to be discrete and tasteful in their advertising.

I believe Shepherd Neame have a sponsorship deal with at least one Spitfire and Hurricane operator.

If not Branson, how about Paul Allen? He has an interest in ww2 planes. How about Microsoft logos on planes :rolleyes:

Budwiser, Shell, BP, Marlboro, BA (yea right!) although would be a great undertaking, Fly Emirates, Coke are to name but a few groups who could sponsor historics.