Wings of Pride #2

Wings of Pride

#2

EI-BWD » N948TW

MD-83

TWA

1997-02

This airframe is of particular significance for the history of the airline. In 1994 on the iniative of a TWA pilot some of the employees raised $233,000/month through payroll deductions for the lease of this GPA owned MD-83 to emphasize their pride of serving with the airline. In 1997 the aircraft got what would be the final TWA scheme with additional markings (as seen here).

In April 2001 the aircraft was registered as N948TW and it was appropriately chosen as the frame which performed the final TWA flight before the merger with American Airlines: on December 1, 2001, Flight 220 linked the two TWA "home cities" of Kansas City & St. Louis on the ceremonial final TWA flight, ending 76 years of service. The aircraft remained in the TWA livery for a few additional months and was only repainted in the standard AA sheme in June 2002. The aircraft is now preserved at the Kansas City TWA museum, and had the original inverted Wings of Pride livery re-applied in 2015.

Image  © 
Tags   Staff

Wings of Pride #1

Wings of Pride

#1

Sponsored by the Employee-Owners of TWA

EI-BWD

MD-83

TWA

1994-97

This airframe is of particular significance for the history of the airline. In 1994 TWA employees were raising $233,000/month through payroll deductions for the lease of this GPA owned MD-83, desmonstrating pride in the company. It was decided to paint the aircraft in an inverted livery to show this bold move. The plane was unveiled on September 4, 1994 in Kansas City and subsequently entered service on September 16.

In 1997 the aircraft got what would be the final TWA scheme with additional markings (see separately). The aircraft is now preserved at the Kansas City TWA museum, and had the original inverted Wings of Pride livery re-applied in 2015.

Image  ©  Reinhard Zinabold (MIA)
Tags   Reverse Scheme, Staff