The Airbus A321 (Revell Shop Link) is considered a workhorse of short and medium-haul routes and is the largest member of the successful A320 family. With a length of 44.51 meters, it offers space for up to 220 passengers in a single-class configuration. The range of up to 5,600 kilometers makes it ideal for routes within Europe as well as to popular holiday destinations around the Mediterranean.
One of the strengths of the A321 is its efficiency. Thanks to modern engines and aerodynamic improvements such as the characteristic sharklets at the wingtips, it consumes significantly less fuel than older models. This not only protects the environment but also saves airlines money. At the same time, it offers passengers a high level of comfort with wide aisles and spacious overhead bins.
For pilots, the A321 is easy to fly thanks to the digital fly-by-wire system and the standardized cockpit layout of the A320 family. The commonality within the aircraft family also enables airlines to flexibly respond to different routes and passenger numbers.
The Condor Stripe Livery – An Eye-Catcher in the Sky
In spring 2022, Condor presented a completely new and distinctive look for its aircraft – the Stripe Livery. Instead of the classic white fuselage with logo, colorful stripes in five different colors now adorn the aircraft: yellow, red, blue, green, and beige. Inspired by sun umbrellas, beach towels, and deck chairs, the new design is intended to convey a holiday feeling and joy.
This creative redesign underlines Condor’s position as “Germany’s most popular holiday airline.” The maiden flight of an aircraft in the new design took place on April 5, 2022, from Frankfurt to Lanzarote. Since then, the colorful aircraft have been hard to miss among the predominantly white planes of other airlines.
According to Condor, the colorful stripes stand for the diversity of guests, employees, and destinations. They make the aircraft real eye-catchers on the ground and in the air. The Condor lettering in lowercase and the revised Condor logo on the tail complete the new design.
With this bold step, Condor clearly stands out from other airlines, which often opt for more subdued color schemes. The Stripe Livery emphasizes the character as a holiday airline and ensures recognition. At the same time, it is a statement for individuality and joie de vivre.
Condor – A Storied History
The history of Condor goes back to 1955, when the airline was founded under the name “Deutsche Flugdienst GmbH.” As early as 1956, the first holiday flight took off towards Jerusalem. In the following decades, Condor developed into one of Europe’s most popular holiday airlines.
The name “Condor” was introduced in 1961, inspired by a former airline in South America. The majestic Andean condor lent its name to the memorable brand.
Less well known is that Condor originally belonged to the Oetker Group. The food company founded the airline but sold it to Lufthansa in 1961. This connection perhaps explains why the onboard service has always enjoyed a good reputation.
In the 1970s, Condor set new standards in holiday air travel with the use of the Boeing 747. The “Jumbo Jet” wide-body aircraft brought holidaymakers en masse to exotic long-haul destinations for the first time.
Today, after more than 65 years and some turbulence, Condor continues to fly as an independent airline. With the new Stripe Livery and a modern fleet, including the Airbus A321, the airline is well prepared for the future.
Ideas for Model Builders
For model builders, the new Condor Stripe Livery offers exciting possibilities. Each color combination of the Stripe Livery has its own character. A collection of all variants shows the full range of the design. With several models, impressive airport dioramas can be created that showcase the diversity of the Condor fleet. Or, by comparing with older Condor liveries, the development of the airline’s design can be traced.
What Does an Aircraft Paint Job Cost?
However, the stripes must be painted by hand, which is time-consuming but increases authenticity. Also interesting is the cost comparison: while repainting a real Airbus A320 costs between $50,000 and $200,000 and employs about 20 workers for eight days, model building is much cheaper – though no less fascinating.
The stripe concept also invites you to design and implement your own color combinations.
With the Airbus A321 in the striking Stripe Livery, Condor has created a real eye-catcher. It combines modern technology with a bold design and symbolically represents the realignment of the traditional holiday airline. For aircraft fans and model builders, it offers a wealth of opportunities to experience the fascination of flying in miniature.
Kit Highlights of the Airbus A321-200 Condor Airlines in 1:144
From 52 individual parts, advanced builders at Level 4 get a finished model with a length of 30.9 cm and a wingspan of 24.8 cm. Revell Shop Link
- Detailed cockpit replica
- Two engine options: Pratt & Whitney 1100 or CFM LEAP
- Finely crafted landing gear
- Authentic decals for the Condor version
Here Condor itself talks about the new livery design: