DALLAS COWBOYS WALL CLOCK

Boeing 727 (N727EL) Overwing Emergency Exit Door Clock

This overwing exit door from Boeing 727 (N727EL) has been meticulously transformed into a stunning and unique wall clock. The door underwent a complete refurbishment, including the following:

• Stripping off the original paintwork

• Burnishing the outer surface

• Mirror polishing the front

• Fitting with satin silver hands and studs to depict the numbers

• Setting on a blue clock face

Operator History:

1. N457BN Braniff International Airways

2. N457BN Braniff

3. N481FE Federal Express (FedEx) Aircraft name: TIFFANY

4. N727EL Southern Aircraft Consultancy

This aircraft had a fascinating past life, beginning its journey as N457BN under Braniff International Airways, and ultimately serving as a FedEx cargo aircraft (N481FE) before being decommissioned by Southern Aircraft Consultancy (N727EL). The story includes a notable connection to the Dallas Cowboys.

**Braniff International and the Dallas Cowboys: A Tale of Triumph and Turbulence**

By late 1981, Braniff International found itself teetering on the edge of insolvency. Harding Lawrence, the airline’s President and Chairman, had anticipated that deregulation would fail, and in a bold yet misguided move, he pursued aggressive expansion to secure market share before a potential re-regulation. This strategy proved to be a double-edged sword: while Braniff was spending lavishly on unprofitable growth, its Dallas neighbor, American Airlines, capitalized on Braniff's missteps. Compounding these challenges was a significant economic downturn, further exacerbating Braniff’s financial woes.

Amidst this turmoil, Braniff remained committed to its long-standing relationship with the Dallas Cowboys NFL team. For 22 years, the airline had flown the Cowboys to out-of-state games, including five Super Bowl appearances, two of which resulted in championship victories. Additionally, Braniff had transported the team to 14 playoff games. In celebration of their 23rd year as the official airline of the Dallas Cowboys, Braniff decided to commemorate the occasion by adorning one of its 727-227 Advanced aircraft in a special livery.

The Boeing 727-227 Advanced had been a cornerstone of Braniff’s fleet throughout the 1970s. As part of the airline's ambitious deregulation-driven expansion, large numbers of these aircraft were ordered, with between 7 and 9 units added annually from 1975 to 1980. However, as financial strain took its toll, mass cancellations of outstanding orders became inevitable.

The aircraft selected for the special livery was N457BN, delivered new on June 13, 1978. This particular 727 was one of the newer models, featuring the Ultra livery introduced in 1977, characterized by its eight different color options. N457BN sported a sleek Mercury Blue base, along with four other 727-227 Advanced and a single 727-214.

Despite the airline’s precarious state by December 1981, Braniff's commitment to innovation persisted. Howard Putnam, who succeeded Lawrence as President, introduced the "Texas Class" service. This concept eliminated First Class, replacing it with a single-class cabin offering greater legroom, superior catering, and other amenities, all aimed at providing a luxurious experience. While this initiative aligned with the Dallas Cowboys' sporting aesthetics, it did little to stem the airline’s financial losses.

In keeping with this spirit, N457BN was emblazoned with a ten-foot-tall silver and blue Dallas Cowboys helmet on its tail. Additionally, a silver-outlined rectangle beneath the cockpit featured the "Dallas Cowboys" title in one-foot-high letters. The aircraft was dedicated on December 18, 1981, in a ceremony held at the Braniff Operations and Maintenance Base South Hangar Ramp at Dallas Love Field. It marked the first time Braniff had named any of its aircraft individually. Following the dedication, the Cowboys boarded their specially decorated jet for their final game of the 1981 season against the Giants.

Unfortunately, the special livery did not bring luck to the Cowboys. The aircraft was only used twice in the new season, and the team lost both games. Already considering their dark blue jerseys as bad luck, the players deemed the plane jinxed. Prior to these games, the team had an undefeated 4-0 record. There were discussions about repainting the 727 in a different color, but by mid-May, Braniff had run out of time. The airline ceased operations, and N457BN was stored along with the rest of the fleet.

N457BN found new life with the second Braniff from March 1984 before eventually joining Federal Express in 1990, where it was rechristened N481FE ‘Tiffany’. The aircraft flew FedEx’s last scheduled 727 flight on June 21, 2013, and subsequently joined Southern Aircraft Consultancy as N727EL.

 Resulting in a truly       "One Of A Kind Stunning And Unique Piece Of Art Work"

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