Duncan Aviation’s Paint and Interior teams in Lincoln, Nebraska, took an outdated Citation 525 and gave it a flashy new paint scheme and matching interior makeover that made it one-of-a-kind.
The project initially started with a complete paint based on a design the owner saw on a Phenom that our Battle Creek, Michigan, team had previously refurbished. He wanted the Duncan Aviation team to recreate a similar look on his Citation.
Duncan Aviation Lead Designer Carie Bruss says the vibrant red base and stunning black and silver accent stripes add a “jazzy” look to the exterior paint.
The new paint didn’t come without challenges.
“Knowing that the customer wanted the red and black look on the exterior, we wanted to give him the scheme he desired,” says 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 teams 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 aircraft that met all the paint regulations.
The interior was dated when the aircraft arrived.
“The owner asked us to create an interior that would update the look and coincide with the existing materials being retained,” says Carie. “He wanted to tie the new exterior paint in with the interior as well.”
The interior complements the vibrant exterior from top to 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, which are draped in a contemporary, diamond-patterned, charcoal grey, chenille fabric. The main cabin seats make a statement of their own with fitted smooth, black leather highlighted with vibrant red accent stitching. The seat design is simple, yet elegant. 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 has a divider covered with a beautiful, classic two-tone red stripe fabric.
“It is stunning,” says Carie. “Everything just flowed together so nicely, and the exterior complements interior elements beautifully.”
Kjell Lindberg, Vice President of The Toll Group NW, says the aircraft is absolutely stunning and both the interior and exterior exceeded his expectations.
“The first time seeing the aircraft was definitely a wow moment,” says Kjell. “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.”
Kjell also says 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,” says Kjell. “We’ll definitely be back with future aircraft.”
