O Captain, My Captain

Boeing, Boeing, Gone

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This shot of a Qantas Boeing 737-800 was taken at the 2007 Australian International Air Show. Its unusual livery is the result of a Qantas corporate decision to feature Aboriginal artwork on selected jets in its fleet. The first was a Boeing 747 and this experiment proved so successful that a second jumbo was also painted in Aboriginal art.

The third jet was this 737, literally a flying piece of artwork called Yananyi Dreaming. It wasn't cordoned off at the show, so I was able to get some side-on shots as well as some from underneath the wings. This frame was just a one-off, taken as I walked past the nose of the aircraft.

To tell the truth, I didn't think much of the shot at the time. But I later realised that not many people get this upward-looking view straight up towards the cockpit from in front of the undercarriage - except pilots, airport staff, maintenance crews and baggage handlers.

And like they say, to fully appreciate any painting, you have to study it from every angle. That's exactly what I was doing.

(Extra, extra, read all about it: I've been interviewed here. Thank you to all those who followed this link, commented and voted.)

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