CABIN DECOR OF JET RESTFUL

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30273, 12 April 1965, Page 2

CABIN DECOR OF JET RESTFUL

The last few hectic days before embarking on an overseas flight send most passengers up the gangway in a mixed-up state of tension and excitement.

Only when the aircraft leaves behind the last glimpse of land do they begin to unwind and it is the restful colour schemes of the cabin, as much as the comfort of seats, that helps them to relax.

The cabin decor of the Boeing 707, which made the inaugural flight on the Qantas V-jet service between Sydney and Christchurch at the weekend, is predominantly turquoise, persimmon, chocolate and offwhite.

Heavy Australian wool in turquoise or persimmon has been used as upholstery for the seats. The seat backs and boxing are aqua or persimmon, with the centre panel in a herringbone goldthreaded off-white material. Australian hide is featured in the arm rest. The carpet is aqua. WILDFLOWER MOTIFS On the cabin side walls are Australian wildflower motifs, such as wattle, fringed violets and bottle-brush on a blue-white background. The name of each flower is written beside it. Geometric designs developed from aboriginal drawings on a white background trim the entry bulkheads to the cabin. The main lighting is tubular, recessed in alcoves along the side walls. Secondary lights come from overhead. When dimmed, the centre lights show a star chart of the Southern Cross and the brightest stars of the Southern Hemisphere as they would be seen from Sydney at 8 p.m. in June or midnight in April. The only drapes are curtains screening the galleys, eoat rooms and crew rest room. These are oyster goldthreaded wool-nylon fabric. LOUNGE UNIT

The lounge is located adjacent to the forward entry door. It seats four, but there is also a two-place folding seat in the bulkhead face which may be used. This seat is occupied by cabin attendants on take-off and landing. The lounge unit and folding seats are trimmed in aqua leather with white boxing and welts. There are arm-rests and handy drink tables.

The main colours in the five separate lavatory and washrooms are pastel green, primrose and peach.

The two galleys with storage compartment catch the eye with the strongest colours

in the decorative theme with yellow, flame and turquoise doors.

The 707 will carry 104 passengers—B4 in the economy cabin, 20 in first-class. All have a good view from their seats - through 81 windows spaced 20 inches apart along both sides of the fuselage. They have pull-down shades with tinted middle panels to eliminate glare. Noisy as the four engines may be, with their thrust of nearly 40.000 horsepower, i’ is so quiet inside the cabin that passengers can talk to each other in “living-room" voices from several seats away. There is not enough vibration there to raise a ripple in a cup of coffee.