United Boeing 747 Livery History (1970-2017)

JJ Skippy

Well-known member
Hello everyone! Today we’ll be looking back at an icon in aviation: the 747 with United Airlines.

1. Delivery (1970)
United would take delivery of their first 747-100 on June 26th, 1970, over half a century ago. This would have been the first livery the Jumbo Jets wore with United.
IMG_8261.jpeg

2. 747 Friend Ship (ca. 1970-1974)
This livery is one that is more recognized and was the inspiration of a future livery (more on that later). Its similar to the previous livery, only with stars being added, the United font changed, and “747 Friend Ship” titles added. I personally like this livery more than the previous one due to these changes.
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3. Saul Bass/Tulip (1974-1993)
One of the more iconic liveries from United, the Tulip debuted in 1974 across the entire fleet. I have to say that the 747s wore this livery really well:
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Later photos will show the 747s with the larger United titles up towards the front as demonstrated below with this 747-200. These larger titles were introduced sometime in the 1980s.
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In 1989, United received its first Boeing 747-400. The first deliveries were early enough to be equipped with the Saul Bass colors.
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4. Battleship Gray (1994-2004)
In 1994, United debuted the new Battleship Gray look. Once again, the 747s wore this livery excellently:
IMG_8266.jpeg

And of course the -400s:
IMG_8267.jpeg

Some Battleship Gray 747s could be spotted as late as circa 2012 which is quite amazing to think about. There would’ve been times you could see Battleship Gray and the two later liveries right next to each other.

5. Blue Tulip (2004-2011)
A more simplified look at United took place starting in 2004 with the Blue Tulip. The 747-200s would not wear this paint scheme as they were retired.
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6. Continental Globe (2010-2017)
And of course you have the last livery, the Continental Globe. Created out of the merger with Continental Airlines, it debuted during the merger in 2010.
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7. Friend Ship / Farewell (2017)
To commemorate the 747’s departure from the United fleet, United applied a 747 Friend Ship sticker on one of their 747-400s (N118UA), a throwback to the 1970s. United retired the 747-400 November 7, 2017.
IMG_8270.jpeg

And that’s it! I’m starting to like making these, and as always if you spot something wrong feel free to comment.
 
Last edited:
Hello everyone! Today we’ll be looking back at an icon in aviation: the 747 with United Airlines.

1. Delivery (1970)
United would take delivery of their first 747-100 on June 26th, 1970, over half a century ago. This would have been the first livery the Jumbo Jets wore with United.
View attachment 5139

2. 747 Friend Ship (ca. 1970-1974)
This livery is one that is more recognized and was the inspiration of a future livery (more on that later). Its similar to the previous livery, only with stars being added, the United font changed, and “747 Friend Ship” titles added. I personally like this livery more than the previous one due to these changes.
View attachment 5149

3. Saul Bass/Tulip (1974-1993)
One of the more iconic liveries from United, the Tulip debuted in 1974 across the entire fleet. I have to say that the 747s wore this livery really well:
View attachment 5141

Later photos will show the 747s with the larger United titles up towards the front as demonstrated below with this 747-200. These larger titles were introduced sometime in the 1980s.
View attachment 5148

In 1989, United received its first Boeing 747-400. The first deliveries were early enough to be equipped with the Saul Bass colors.
View attachment 5142

4. Battleship Gray (1994-2004)
In 1994, United debuted the new Battleship Gray look. Once again, the 747s wore this livery excellently:
View attachment 5147

And of course the -400s:
View attachment 5144

Some Battleship Gray 747s could be spotted as late as circa 2012 which is quite amazing to think about. There would’ve been times you could see Battleship Gray and the two later liveries right next to each other.

5. Blue Tulip (2001-2011)
A more simplified look at United took place starting in 2001 with the Blue Tulip. The 747-200s would not wear this paint scheme as they were retired.
View attachment 5145
6. Continental Globe (2010-2017)
And of course you have the last livery, the Continental Globe. Created out of the merger with Continental Airlines, it debuted during the merger in 2010.
View attachment 5143

7. Friend Ship / Farewell (2017)
To commemorate the 747’s departure from the United fleet, United applied a 747 Friend Ship sticker on one of their 747-400s (N118UA), a throwback to the 1970s. United retired the 747-400 November 7, 2017.
View attachment 5146

And that’s it! I’m starting to like making these, and as always if you spot something wrong feel free to comment.
Amazing history. The Continental Globe is still around today
 
Great post. Saul Bass, what a master of design! Looks so fresh and advanced for 1974, in comparison to what went before, a complete break in the design concept for corporate identities. I’m guessing that the 1st livery style wasn’t worn for very long on their 747 fleet.
 
Great post. Saul Bass, what a master of design! Looks so fresh and advanced for 1974, in comparison to what went before, a complete break in the design concept for corporate identities. I’m guessing that the 1st livery style wasn’t worn for very long on their 747 fleet.
That’s what I’m thinking too especially since the Friend Ship livery came in so early. I think someone may have done a 400 scale model of the very early livery?
 
That’s what I’m thinking too especially since the Friend Ship livery came in so early. I think someone may have done a 400 scale model of the very early livery?
Yeah it was such a radical departure! Just checked the DB. Gemini & Dragon have each made ones in the ''Stars & Bars'' scheme, while ''Aurora400'' did a couple in the 1st scheme, using the BB400 mould. One version has ''747 Friend Ship'' on the tail.
 
Great post! I really love all these liveries from UA.
Battleship is my favorite and Saul Bass comes at a close second.

Just a minor correction: The "Rising Blue" livery (also referred to as Blue Tulip) was unveiled in February 2004, not 2001 as mentioned in your post.
Boeing 777 N775UA was the first plane painted in that scheme.
 
Great post! I really love all these liveries from UA.
Battleship is my favorite and Saul Bass comes at a close second.

Just a minor correction: The "Rising Blue" livery (also referred to as Blue Tulip) was unveiled in February 2004, not 2001 as mentioned in your post.
Boeing 777 N775UA was the first plane painted in that scheme.
Thanks for the correction. Updated the initial post.
 
Was certainly glad to be able to have seen the battleship grey, tulip and continental globe livery 747s
definitely has been missed
 
Very nice! I saw the Blue Tulip and Continental 744 at MEL a couple times back in 2013-2014, they wore it well. Majestic aircraft, they are missed sorely. :)
 
If only they had done a full 'Friendship' livery for the retirement. How good would that have been ? I also recall a rumour at the time of a Pan Am livery being applied.
 
If only they had done a full 'Friendship' livery for the retirement. How good would that have been ? I also recall a rumour at the time of a Pan Am livery being applied.
Never heard about the Pan Am concept. Man, just imagine the delivery paint scheme being on a 747-400… 😍
 
If only they had done a full 'Friendship' livery for the retirement. How good would that have been ? I also recall a rumour at the time of a Pan Am livery being applied.
The full "stars and Bars" livery on the last 747-400....like on the retro A320 N475UA would've been perfect...albeit costly.
 
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