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American Airlines achieved the mirror effect on their aircraft by using a reflective paint. This type of paint is made up of tiny glass beads that reflect light, giving the appearance of a mirror-like finish. The paint was applied to the aircraft in a specific pattern to create the desired effect. With this technique, the airplane’s livery appears to change depending on the angle of the light reflecting off it.
The mirror effect on American Airlines’ aircraft was part of their “AA Silverbird” livery, which was introduced in the late 1960s and remained in use until the early 2010s. This livery was characterized by a polished aluminum fuselage with a mirror-like appearance.
To achieve this effect, American Airlines used a special type of paint known as “chrome-alloy” or “aluminum” paint. This paint contains metallic flakes or particles that create a highly reflective surface. The paint was applied to the aircraft’s exterior, and when it dried, it gave the appearance of a polished, mirrored surface.
The mirror effect was particularly striking when the aircraft was exposed to sunlight or bright ambient light. The reflective paint would catch the light and create a shimmering, dynamic appearance. As the aircraft moved or the angle of the light changed, the livery would appear to shift and transform, creating an eye-catching visual effect.
The mirror effect was a distinctive feature of American Airlines’ fleet for several decades, contributing to the airline’s iconic branding and recognition. However, as the airline industry evolved and new painting techniques emerged, American Airlines eventually transitioned to a new livery in 2013, featuring a more contemporary design with a silver-gray fuselage and a stylized American flag on the tail.
American airlines traditionally did not paint the fuselages on their aircraft as do most other airlines. It’s is a bit of a hold over from the pre-jet age. But there is also a good reason for it. American Airlines and a few others instead employed a polished cladded aluminum skin. They did this to save weight and expense. Believe it or not paint adds quite a bit of weight to an aircraft. Extra weight translates into more fuel burnt per mile traveled and to a degree less carrying capacity.
The cladding served as a form of corrosion protection to the aircraft. It also meant the airline didn’t need to polish the aircraft constantly in order for it to remain shiny.
With the introduction of composite fuselage aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 American was forced to move over a white based fuselage color scheme. Also the airline modernized their livery a bit for the new era.
This is because the carbon fiber that makes up the fuselage is highly susceptible to UV damage from sunlight. So it requires an overcoating of UV resistant primer (the early darkish green 787’s in Boeings Everett, Wa. plant)
By – Jerry Greening (Aircraft Lead Mechanical Technician at Boeing Commercial Airplanes ) and Aeropeep Team