Reverse Aussie Flag

[Tim Bowrey]

I have noticed this for years but never knew why airlines do it. On all the Qantas 747's and things, the aussie flag on the left side is normal but on the right it is reversed.

Back to front
http://myaviation.net/search/photo_s...318&size=large

Normal
http://myaviation.net/search/photo_s...463&size=large

Does anyone know why? I have asked several people in the know but they have no idea.

Thanks for the answers anyway.

[Nathan Long]

It is tradition to show a flag on an aircraft as if it's on a pole. Thus the Union Jack should always be facing the wind (i.e. forward).

I read somewhere that its got something to do with the wind and the direction that the flag would fly..

[Adam P.]

Lukas you read that on the old version of the board.

It was cited from the book known as the ultimate authority on pieces of coloured cloth flapping from poles, the Dyson and Hoover Book of Flags.
I don't have my copy of the book alongside me just at the moment but I believe that there are a few other members with copies and we should see their contributions shortly.

[David Ramsay]

I find most of Dyson and Hoover's works to be full of rubbish.

[Grant Smith]

Ahh yes the boys at Dyson & Hoover the definitive experts on all things flag orientated...

An excellent read for the curious mind pertaining to flag protocol

True pioneers in the flag field.

[Grahame Hutchison]

Very simple answer, airlines must purchase the flag decals in sets of two, one left handed and one right handed, just like shoes.

or

It's because the breeze comes from the front of the aircraft and blows the flags backwards towards the tail.

[James B]

Guess which Qantas antique had its shinny new paint scheme applied with both L & R flags painted on in the "visually correct" way . It flew around like that for sometime including while it was being filmed and photographed for a documentary . The error was only pickup just before its final flight, by an engineer during a tour of the aircraft....

... The 707 that is now in Longreach.

The flag on an aircraft is a big deal, including getting the southern cross stars on the aussie flag the correct way around ... tsk tsk Mr Airbus on QFs first A380.

[Grant Smith]

Originally Posted by Grahame Hutchison

Very simple answer, airlines must purchase the flag decals in sets of two, one left handed and one right handed, just like shoes.

or

It's because the breeze comes from the front of the aircraft and blows the flags backwards towards the tail.

Do yourself a favour Grahame, and pick yourself up a copy of Dyson & Hoovers' Definitive Flag Almanac...

[Nigel C]

If only I could find mine I'd give you the definitive answer!