The newly painted Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Citation 560XLS+ is a bright pink cartoon pig complete with wings, a gold nose ring and a squeaky chicken earring. It soars through clouds amid oversized graphics, vivid pops of blue, red and yellow, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! branding on the engines. Nearly every surface contributes to the story.

The Citation was never intended to blend in. It was designed to turn heads, make people smile and inspire anyone who sees it to reach for a phone. As Ripley’s Believe It or Not! president Jim Pattison Jr. put it: “They don't call us Believe It or Not! for nothing.”

The company tasked Duncan Aviation with the makeover of their aircraft after one of their pilots told senior completion sales representative Angie Coleman they were searching for a paint vendor capable of bringing their artwork and vision to life. Within a couple of months, a concept was developed and sent over to Todd Duncan, who forwarded the request to Coleman and helped begin the official quoting process. “When I saw the paint scheme they selected and submitted for a quote, I immediately knew this was a project our paint team needed to take on,” Coleman says.

From the earliest conversations, it was clear Ripley’s was looking for something more than ordinary. They wanted something bold, colourful and unmistakably their own. They encouraged the Duncan team members to embrace the philosophy that the crazier, more creative and more distinctive the idea, the better.

Translating the artwork from a flat concept into something that would work across the curves, contours and components of an aircraft required extensive collaboration. Lead designer Hannah Mann helped bridge that gap, refining the artwork and placement, working through colours and finishes, and coordinating with the paint team to make sure everything was achievable.

The finished scheme incorporated 17 colours, even shades that appear similar from a distance serve different purposes within the design. But the number of colours was only one part of the challenge, every element also had to flow properly over the fuselage, wings, engines and three-dimensional surfaces.

Ripley’s wanted the design to appear intentional and cohesive from every viewing angle, which required close communication between design and production teams on both sides. Many of the smaller details cannot be fully appreciated until someone is standing next to the aircraft. There’s a lot going on visually, but it all works together; it’s bold, detailed and completely unique. There really isn’t a part of the aircraft that doesn’t have something going on.

Once the design was finalised, Duncan’s paint team began the carefully coordinated process of bringing the flying pig to life. Paint crew leader Trevor Reinke was responsible for the day-to-day work on the floor, planning, coordinating and helping guide the aircraft through each stage of the painting process. Paint team leader Brandon Boyer focused on keeping the overall project moving when questions arose involving colours, design details or the timeline. For both, the greatest challenge was time, after all there is only so much you can accomplish in a day when you have to allow time for the paint to dry between steps. On top of that, the Duncan team was continuing to support its regular line of business.

The detailed paint scheme was built up one section and one colour at a time. Because so much of the artwork remained covered throughout the process, even those completing the work could not fully appreciate the entire design until the final pieces of masking were removed.

The unusual subject matter also gave technicians a welcome opportunity to apply their skills in a different way. Normally, they’re painting a white aircraft with a couple of stripes down the side, so working with all the wild colours and unique designs on this project really broke up the monotony.

The project required close coordination among sales, project management, design, production and marketing. Project Manager Carie Bruss credits Troy Reinke, Stacy Finch, Justin Machacek, Trevor Reinke, Brandon Boyer, Adam Barry, Hannah Mann, Angie Coleman and the entire Duncan Aviation paint team for helping bring the scheme together. Boyer also recognises Reinke for keeping this project moving and Cameron Furasek for making sure the other concurrent projects received the attention they deserved.

Then came the aircraft reveal, which included a coordinated photo and video production, and a live pig for the photo shoot. Despite the playful subject matter, executing a paint scheme this complex required serious technical expertise. Aircraft panels still have to be removed for inspections, sealant must be maintained, and every material must be selected with long-term performance in mind.

“We want an airplane with a scheme and products that are made to last,” concludes Duncan’s Boyer. “We have an incredible team of designers and technicians who all bring amazing skill sets to the table. With everyone working closely together, wanting to be the absolute best and continually looking to top ourselves, I’m sure there is nothing we can't make happen.”