A320 (Northwest old colours)

In 1986, Northwest Airlines placed an order for Airbus A320 aircraft. The first two aircraft, N301US and N302US, were delivered in 1989 in Northwest???s then-current color scheme; however, prior to entry into service, Northwest unveiled a new livery - the so-called Bowling Shoe scheme. These two aircraft were quickly repainted into the new colors after delivery, but before their first revenue flights. The older scheme featured a bare metal fuselage with white and blue bands and a red tail. Because of its manufacturing process, Airbus could not deliver the A320 with a bare metal fuselage, so the Northwest aircraft were painted light gray.