Why are the U.S. flags on Continental's airplanes backwards?

Answer 1

They're only backwards on the right side of the aircraft.

You're used to always seeing the union (the blue background with white stars) up and to the left. On the right side of aircraft, the union is up and to the right.

Why? Because if the flag were fluttering in the breeze as the aircraft flew, that's how it would look on the right side.

This is not peculiar to Continental. It's a traditional thing with all aircraft. Even Air Force One does it (see below).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_One

Answer 2

There is actually a US Title Code for all things concerning the Flag of the United States of America. It is 4 USC 1.

The Union of the Flag, (the field of stars on the blue background), will ALWAYS face forward when the Flag is displayed in a horizontal position. This goes for any type of vehicle and person. If you notice that when you see the Flag being worn on the uniform of a servicemember's right shoulder, the Union is always facing forward.

So when you see the flag on the right side of the tail and/or fuselage of a Continental aircraft, you are seeing the Flag properly displayed.

Answer 3

In traditional flag etiquite, the US flag is always displayed on a wall or a flat surface with the blue field on top and to the viewer's left.

In modern usage, the flag is to be shown with the blue field facing forward on uniform sleeves, or in the direction of normal forward travel if on a vehicle or aircraft. This would make the flag on the right side of an airplane or the right uniform sleeve to appear "backwards" to people who are used to seeing it on traditional wall displays.

Answer 4

I've seen this before on other forms of transportation. Could it be that the flags are meant to appear as "waving" in the wind from the direction that the plane flies? In this case, the flag would appear to be reversed on the right side of the plane.

Answer 5

The flag is not backwards, you are looking at the other side.

Answer 6

Flags are also reversed when worn on the right sleeve of the uniform.

Answer 7

I suspect that whoever designed those flags was unaware that there is a right way and a wrong way for them to fly. The flag is to be displayed with the blue field on the upper left side.

Answer 8

Are you sure that they all are like this, or are you looking at a "advertising photo" that was mistakenly printed with a negative in reverse orientation??? I've seen such in book s before where the publisher reversed the negative and everything is backwards from where it should be which isn't always noticeable at first. Just a thought!