JJ Skippy
Well-known member
Hello everyone, here’s another Livery History thread, focusing on a new type for the series; the DC-10!
1 - Friend Ship (1971-1974)
United’s first DC-10 was N1802U in the summer of 1971. It wore the airline’s DC-10 Friend Ship livery of the time, as seen on sister ship 1805U.
![IMG_0413.jpeg IMG_0413.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9669-5a31a94ba7ee0d895f7a4091084330e3.jpg)
Another iteration removed the stars from the tail as the DC-10 Friend Ship titles were relocated to the tail engine, and the United titles received an updated font.
![IMG_0412.jpeg IMG_0412.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9668-9a73cf05bfcc30ed77dc7f6552437831.jpg)
Another variation existed which removed the DC-10 Friend Ship titles entirely and extended the blue bar to the tail engine. This is not connected to the cargo door incidents which had occurred on other DC-10s around this time, as United removed the Friend Ship titles across their entire fleet.
![IMG_0414.jpeg IMG_0414.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9662-d4e090a3999cb4ab595a87269ed16bbf.jpg)
2 - Saul Bass (1974-1993)
One of United’s most recognizable liveries, the Saul Bass rainbow and United Tulip debuted in 1974. Wish a retro Saul Bass existed like the Stars and Bars does.
![IMG_0416.jpeg IMG_0416.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9664-b8a44927edc98d4ce6d1e069b5fdef9f.jpg)
A larger title iteration was introduced into the 80s. They definitely worked as you can see them for miles out!
![IMG_0417.jpeg IMG_0417.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9663-88a1bc285687a57fbaebab897ec207fd.jpg)
In addition, the airline began to receive the DC-10-30, which were all acquired secondhand. The -30 increased range over the original -10 which United had operated up to this point. Note the addition of a set of landing gear in the photo above, a distinguishable feature from the -10.
3 - Battleship Gray (1993-2002)
United’s last livery for the DC-10 came in 1993 with Battleship Gray. I have to say, this livery was pretty classy on this type, even for as dated as it was by this point.
![IMG_0419.jpeg IMG_0419.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9665-df37e6dbe17844cb6efc5a6e8925ec1e.jpg)
United also had a dedicated cargo department, which utilized some of their DC-10s as the type began to be phased out of passenger service.
![IMG_0421.jpeg IMG_0421.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9666-3c612a977fe76fd30eb2d9d52d93e69a.jpg)
The type was retired in 2002 after 31 years of service. At least one DC-10, which went to FedEx, wore the base colors but had all titles and logos removed.
![IMG_0422.jpeg IMG_0422.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9667-a9408dabb3e415484f175fa114bc9fe6.jpg)
Hope you enjoyed as always.
1 - Friend Ship (1971-1974)
United’s first DC-10 was N1802U in the summer of 1971. It wore the airline’s DC-10 Friend Ship livery of the time, as seen on sister ship 1805U.
![IMG_0413.jpeg IMG_0413.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9669-5a31a94ba7ee0d895f7a4091084330e3.jpg)
Another iteration removed the stars from the tail as the DC-10 Friend Ship titles were relocated to the tail engine, and the United titles received an updated font.
![IMG_0412.jpeg IMG_0412.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9668-9a73cf05bfcc30ed77dc7f6552437831.jpg)
Another variation existed which removed the DC-10 Friend Ship titles entirely and extended the blue bar to the tail engine. This is not connected to the cargo door incidents which had occurred on other DC-10s around this time, as United removed the Friend Ship titles across their entire fleet.
![IMG_0414.jpeg IMG_0414.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9662-d4e090a3999cb4ab595a87269ed16bbf.jpg)
2 - Saul Bass (1974-1993)
One of United’s most recognizable liveries, the Saul Bass rainbow and United Tulip debuted in 1974. Wish a retro Saul Bass existed like the Stars and Bars does.
![IMG_0416.jpeg IMG_0416.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9664-b8a44927edc98d4ce6d1e069b5fdef9f.jpg)
A larger title iteration was introduced into the 80s. They definitely worked as you can see them for miles out!
![IMG_0417.jpeg IMG_0417.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9663-88a1bc285687a57fbaebab897ec207fd.jpg)
In addition, the airline began to receive the DC-10-30, which were all acquired secondhand. The -30 increased range over the original -10 which United had operated up to this point. Note the addition of a set of landing gear in the photo above, a distinguishable feature from the -10.
3 - Battleship Gray (1993-2002)
United’s last livery for the DC-10 came in 1993 with Battleship Gray. I have to say, this livery was pretty classy on this type, even for as dated as it was by this point.
![IMG_0419.jpeg IMG_0419.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9665-df37e6dbe17844cb6efc5a6e8925ec1e.jpg)
United also had a dedicated cargo department, which utilized some of their DC-10s as the type began to be phased out of passenger service.
![IMG_0421.jpeg IMG_0421.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9666-3c612a977fe76fd30eb2d9d52d93e69a.jpg)
The type was retired in 2002 after 31 years of service. At least one DC-10, which went to FedEx, wore the base colors but had all titles and logos removed.
![IMG_0422.jpeg IMG_0422.jpeg](https://modelairlinerforum.com/data/attachments/9/9667-a9408dabb3e415484f175fa114bc9fe6.jpg)
Hope you enjoyed as always.