QE2 in white / grey / pebble grey hull colours 1983-1984

[Kathy M.]

Does anyone know if her funnel was white or light gray at any time around 1983?  My father is sending me a print of her and he says the funnel looks light colored in it (I will photograph it when I get it).

[Peter Mugridge]

I will have 1983 pictures - I'm working my way through my albums and might get time tonight to look at August 1983 for you.

[Michael Gallagher]

Kathy - the funnel has been red and black since August 1982.

[Michael Gallagher]

7 August - headed out for sea trials and sailed for 16.1 hours and covered 375 miles.

14 August - Southampton
14 August - Cherbourg
19 August - New York

[Peter Mugridge]

Thanks Michael, that means I don't have to re-write all the notes in my albums.  It also shows that she didn't go straight to berth after I took the picture on the 7th doesn't it?  Which is interesting in itself; maybe the full route and timings of the trials still exist somewhere?

[cunardqueen]

Heres one half and half....

Image not available

[Rob Lightbody]

11 seconds in - a 1983 QE2 TV Advert

[cunardqueen]

Interesting subject.Did cunard ever do any TV adverts for QE2... There was forever the TVTimes magazine cruise with the stars, but did she ever advertise herself.And given the Fast Boat to China programme bookings must gave gone through the roof after that was shown..?
 (probably off topic l guess? )

[CAP]

Although a pebble gray QE2 was seen as "unique", for a number of years ships of Port Line (aka Commonwealth & Dominion) a Cunard subsidiary since the early 1900's, were plying their trade in similar colours.   Attached is a link to a colour image of Port Alfred one of the the lines ships.

http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/gallery/showfull.php?photo=178968

Perhaps this is where the inspiration came from  

[Rob Lightbody]

There are some great new photos of QE2 in grey here

https://www.flickr.com/photos/captainmartini/sets/72157624090823065/with/6106067850/

[Tyne Turbine]

Never been too keen on this livery as the only time I remember seeing her so painted was when she was at anchor off Falmouth due to mechanical failure in September 1982.

[Bob C.]

Great interior shots of the old...classic QE2

[Rob Lightbody]

QE2 needing and receiving maintenance 1982 by chrisdans, on Flickr

and


Queen Elizabeth 2 at New York 1982 by chrisdans, on Flickr

[Bob C.]

She looks so old and tired at the tender age of 13.  This is truly a case of not judging a book by it's cover.  Fortunately her owners refurbisher the cover!

[highlander0108]

I have to admit, I was not impressed at all when I saw QE2 for the first time in December of 1983 in Ft. Lauderdale.  She was back to her Federal Grey color and with the original thin funnel.  The condition of her hull was memorable as I got an up close view from the excursion boat Jungle Queen....RUST everywhere! The ship looked very run down.  Picture Rob's recent posting, but with the darker hull hiding some of the rust.  I'm guessing that the repaint in the water was not the best paint job.  I also was not fully versed in what QE2 was all about at the time and when the tour guide mentioned we were going to be in for a treat...seeing the QE2, I was expecting to see a three or two funneled ship with much more stout funnels ala Queen Mary, which I was completed versed in.  It would take me another 16 years to see her again in 2000, and also in Ft. Lauderdale.  She looked stunning with her recent paint job!

[Rob Lightbody]

93-14w by Captain Martini, on Flickr


93-17w by Captain Martini, on Flickr


93-03w by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2 - 90-20a by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2 - 90-08ab by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2 - 90-07a by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2 - 93-06b by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2 - 93-04 by Captain Martini, on Flickr


QE2 - 90-05a06a by Captain Martini, on Flickr

[Rob Lightbody]

QE2Brochure1983 by Captain Martini, on Flickr

[peter ward]

Who on earth decided to paint her these colours ?taken barbados in 1982. She just doesn't look as imposing as the red white and blue ......what do you think ?

[Michael Gallagher]

The ‘new look’ was on the instruction of Cunard’s Chairman Lord Matthews, who, being an ex-Navy man, thought his Falklands veteran would look becoming with a hull in a shade close to naval grey. Moreover, now 13 years old in 1982 and assumed to be approaching mid-life, it was felt that the ship needed to be re-launched in civilian service with a new identity so the new look had the goal being to give the ‘new’ QE2 a symbolic and exciting appearance.

[Bob C.]

Nothing says exciting like rust streaks