The Pan Am “billboard” livery launched in 1984 was not always popular with the airline fans. However, one has to recognize that it was equally original as innovative in this particular field and has been taken up by several airlines ever since.

The billboard livery was chosen to bring back to life an old model originally under the Air France colours, an A310-203, registration F-GEMB. The model produced by Guy Duruisseau is about 2 meter long and was badly damaged: the Plexiglas fuselage nor the fiberglass wings or the tail didn’t withstand the abuse inflicted to the object!

A collector entrusted this piece to us. It required a few hours of renovation and alteration in order to bring it back to life as a Pan Am A310-221.

Given the original condition of the model, Comptoir de L’Aviation had to create the missing sections and restore the damaged parts as well as the light system (cabin, tail, navigation and position lights). Adjustments were also necessary in order to show the correct version of the aircraft: some windows were obstructed, new windows were made, podded engines were shortened and tailpipes were altered. The decor was entirely painted, except for the markings on the doors and the flag on top of the vertical stabilizer.

This piece is now going to get the attention it deserves and no doubt that its new life will be longer than the previous one!