While undated, this photograph of United Airlines McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 Friend Ship “N1825U” at San Francisco likely was shot in the mid- to late-1970’s. Many people know and love United’s “pre-Saul Bass” four-star livery. What many do not know is that there are actually two distinct versions of the “Star’s and Bar’s” color scheme. Starting in late 1973, just a year before United introduced the also very popular “Tulip” design, a decision was made to change all the “United” titles on the company’s aircraft from black to a thicker blue lettering style. Print advertising featuring the new font began to appear in the spring of 1973, but it appears the modification on existing aircraft in the fleet (several new aircraft were delivered this way) did not appear until very late that year. One thing this livery wasn’t was subtle. Like many 1970’s-era colors on U.S. carriers the “Blue Friend Ship” look really jumped out at you and was quite distinctive. When a United aircraft flew over your head or taxied by your gate there was no way you were not going to know what airline that airplane belonged to! Even after the Saul Bass-designed “Tulip” look was introduced with great fanfare in 1974 the sheer size of United’s fleet (it was the largest airline in the “Free World” at the time) meant that it took several years for the “Friend Ships” to disappear. Several were still carrying this old livery well into the late 1970’s.