Duncan Aviation’s Paint and Interior teams in Lincoln, Nebraska, took an outdated Citation 525 and gave it a flashy new paint scheme and matching interior makeover.
Paint
The project initially started with just a complete paint that was based off a scheme the owner saw on a Phenom that the Duncan Aviation Battle Creek, Michigan, team had previously refurbished. He wanted the Duncan Aviation team to recreate the look on his Citation.
Duncan Aviation Lead Designer Carie Bruss said the vibrant red base and stunning black and silver accent stripes added a very “jazzy” look to the exterior paint.
The new paint didn’t come without its challenges. “Knowing that the customer wanted the red and black look on the exterior, we wanted to give him the scheme he desired,” said Senior Completions Sales Representative Angie Coleman. “However, these models of aircraft have solar reflective values that have to be met for the exterior paint. “This put our Paint and Design team to work to find a good match of paint in the solar reflective paint formulas.”
The Duncan Aviation team was able to achieve the color and look the customer wanted while still being able to deliver a beautiful and safe aircraft that met all the paint regulations.
Interior
The interior was very dated when the aircraft arrived at Duncan Aviation. “The owner asked us to create an interior that would update the look and coincide with the existing materials being retained,” said Bruss. “He wanted to tie the new exterior paint in with the interior as well.” The interior complements the vibrant exterior from the top to the bottom. The headliner and window panels are covered in a light, neutral tone. The main cabin veneer has a brown-toned stain with a slight hint of red undertone in a nice matte finish. The drinkrails and table inserts are covered in a warm red leather. Moving down from the drinkrails are the lower sidewalls that are draped in a contemporary diamond-patterned chenille fabric in a charcoal grey color.
The main cabin seats make a statement of their own with fitted smooth, black leather highlighted with a vibrant red accent stitching that shows off the simple but elegant seat design.
The seat belts are webbed in a matching red to tie it all together. The floor of the aircraft is covered in a warm charcoal grey carpet with a simple pattern. Last but not least, the aft lavatory that makes a statement on its own. This aircraft lavatory’s aft divider is covered with a beautiful classic two-tone red strie fabric that ties everything together. “It was stunning,” said Bruss. “Everything just flowed so nicely together, and the exterior tied into the interior beautifully.”
Exceeding Expectations
Kjell Lindberg, Vice President of The Toll Group NW, said that the aircraft is absolutely stunning and both the interior and exterior exceeded their expectations. “The first time seeing the aircraft was definitely a ‘wow’ moment,” said Lindberg. “It’s always a little nerve-racking picking finishes because you don’t know how they will look together, but the Duncan Aviation team guided me through the process and ensured the final product would turn out great. It certainly did.” Lindberg also said that start to finish the Duncan Aviation team was a “class act” and the process was made simple and fun.
“Duncan Aviation came highly recommended by our management team,” said Lindberg. “We’ll definitely be back with future aircraft.”