On 10/05/2012 01:00, Erin J wrote:
Air New Zealand was the official sponsor of the New Zealand Rugby team
who are called the "All Blacks" because of the colour of their uniform,
and in recognition of their win in the Rugby World Cup, they painted
several aircraft in this colour.

Opinions vary on this, but the generally-accepted reason is that the
name came first, then the kit colour, as stated in the Wikipedia article at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ori...ll_Blacks#Name, which says of
the 1905 touring side:

The team departed New Zealand as the New Zealand Football Team, or,
simply The New Zealanders, though names such as Maorilanders and
Colonials were also applied. Reference to the team by the name "All
Blacks" first appeared during the Originals tour when, according to
Billy Wallace, a London newspaper reported that the New Zealanders
played as if they were "all backs". Wallace claimed that due to a
typographical error, subsequent references were to "All Blacks". Wallace
was the last of the Originals to pass away, so this explanation for the
name's origins is widely believed. However, the Express and Echo in
Devon, reporting after the Originals match there, referred to "The All
Blacks, as they are styled by reason of their sable and unrelieved
costume." The new name quickly became popular throughout Britain, though
its acceptance into popular culture took a longer time back home in New
Zealand. On 5 March when the team returned home, the Herald acclaimed
the "New Zealand Footballers", however, the following day its report of
the official function was headed "Return of the All Blacks".

This particular aircraft has been dubbed the unofficial title of "Black
Beauty", which many of us old farts will remember was the name given to
a horse in a novel of the same name by Anna Sewell in 1877 - not that I
was around then, but sometimes I feel like it.... ;-)

I don't know who gave it that name - the company or the press, but it's
very apt.

Spotters at LAX should see this aircraft on occasion.

Thanks.

"the Legend of LAX" wrote in message
...
I believe the "official" name is "All Blacks". Nice shot.


--
Dale G Elhardt
Cypress Ca
I welcome change. But I prefer bills.
http://www.jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?userid=7702



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Peter