First Untited 747 gets the new paint job

[Pat Carry]

http://chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2011 ... cheme.html

[the330thbg]

Genius!

I am surprised they are still flying those dinosaurs!

[JohnB]

When I read the title of the post, I thought you meant the first United 747...not simpley the first one in their new merged color scheme.

The real first United 747 is probably long-gone by now...first into a Toyota, then a Honda...now a Chinese tea kettle. .

I am surprised they are still flying those dinosaurs!

I'm flying SEA to LHR in a 400 in a BA example in couple of weeks.
They seem in fine shape...and you do realize the -400s are a bit newer than 1969?

[JBSavage]

Boeing continues to update and build 747's. The first production model of the newest version, the 747-8 Intercontinental, is expected to be delivered this year - 2011. This newest model was unveiled February 13th of this year.

[lotus49]

Hey!

I fly those "dinosaurs"
and compared to the classic I used to fly, they seem pretty modern to me!

[WallyB]

The real first United 747 is probably long-gone by now...first into a Toyota, then a Honda...now a Chinese tea kettle. .

Was still flying with Kalitta (N716CK) in December 2008 ! Now noted as 'stored' somewhere (YIP,MZJ ?).

[Russ Matthews]

The first 747 built was used exclusively for test flights and now resides at Seattle's Museum of Flight.

The first 747 to carry passngers flew with Pan Am and ended its days as a failed tourist attraction/restaurant in South Korea. It was finally broken up for scrap just a few months ago (Dec 2010)...

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2013665589_plane13.html

Hey!

I fly those "dinosaurs"
and compared to the classic I used to fly, they seem pretty modern to me!

I would agree that the 747-400 is not a "Vintage" aircraft yet. When the day comes that they are no longer being used for scheduled air line service, we can put them in the vintage category. I think it's kind of analogous to the C-130 on the "Warbird" side. You can probably put the C-130A's and C-130B's built back in the fifties and early sixties in the warbird category, but certainly the more recent and currently serving C-130H and C-130J models are not yet "warbirds."

As to the new United/Continental livery, I can't say I like it very much.

[The Inspector]

But it does show just how circular things are in aviation. In the late 60's both Continental and DELTA ordered, took delivery of early model -100's, and decided the market wasn't there to support the Queen so they unloaded them, now that they've bought out UNITED and NORTHWEST they are back in the whale business by inheritance (or is it shotgun marriage?). In fact, if you have a pound can of safety wire, it probably has a picture of a DELTA 747 on it all flared out for landing. I pity the guys who do fleet inventory for NW/DELTA, what do they have? about 26 different makes and models of airframes from 3 different manufacturers?

[Airplanejunkie]

Hey!

I fly those "dinosaurs"
and compared to the classic I used to fly, they seem pretty modern to me!

I would agree that the 747-400 is not a "Vintage" aircraft yet. When the day comes that they are no longer being used for scheduled air line service, we can put them in the vintage category. I think it's kind of analogous to the C-130 on the "Warbird" side. You can probably put the C-130A's and C-130B's built back in the fifties and early sixties in the warbird category, but certainly the more recent and currently serving C-130H and C-130J models are not yet "warbirds."

As to the new United/Continental livery, I can't say I like it very much.

I'm not sure that I'll ever be able to accept an airplane with a "glass cockpit" as vintage, let alone an airplane that was first flown and delivered after my career started (true for the -400, anyhow.)

I don't really care for the new paint, either. I wish that at least they had kept the "tulup."

[the330thbg]

By fuel standards these days is what i was referring to when I used the term 'dinosaur'.

How have they improve 'fuel effieciency' over the years.., besides, winglets and new engines.., are they making composite parts as well?

Thanks!

[Airplanejunkie]

By fuel standards these days is what i was referring to when I used the term 'dinosaur'.

How have they improve 'fuel effieciency' over the years.., besides, winglets and new engines.., are they making composite parts as well?

Thanks!

I think about 50% of the 787 structure is composite.

[davidbray]

By fuel standards these days is what i was referring to when I used the term 'dinosaur'.

How have they improve 'fuel effieciency' over the years.., besides, winglets and new engines.., are they making composite parts as well?

Thanks!

I think about 50% of the 787 structure is composite.

The 50% is by weight. The 777 uses only 12% composites.

[threepoint]

The paint is a good merger compromise...... CAL colors and UAL name. (Although I would have preferred the opposite) Personally, I think it's the best looking paint job on a legacy carrier..... CAL flew the 747 in these colors before they were phased out. I don't imagine that UAL will keep the plane for long, which is a shame.

[the330thbg]

UAL is much more of a recognized global brand, hence keeping the name. Conti phased out their gas hungry 47's decades ago. They are anxiously awaiting the 787's and her variants!