Delivered to UAL in September 1968. Here it still wears the initial colour scheme at SFO.

The Model 247 first flew on 8 February 1933 and by the end of June UAL had 30 in service. Until the advent of the Douglas DC-2, the 247's ruled US skies. Obtained from UAL 60 years ago.

Air New Zealand leased N8035U for three months from November 1967 to cover the busy Christmas period. Internet claims the aircraft was leased from November 1964 to January 1968 are incorrect but can be found repeated on all online aircraft production lists. Printed production lists from 40 years ago confirm my recollections.

United took delivery of a large fleet of Boeing 247s during 1933, replacing their biplanes and single-engined aircraft. NC13359 is nearest in this formation, with NC13342 (1723) in the lead and NC13316 (1697) farthest away. Obtained from UAL 60 years ago.

UAL DST (Douglas Sleeper Transport) "City of Seattle" in flight showing the distinctive slit windows for lighting the upper of two berths in each sleeper compartment during the long overnight transcontinental journey. Obtained from UAL 60 years ago.

Boeing 80A wearing United Air Lines markings. From UAL 60 years ago.

The DC-4E was designed to have twice the capacity of the DC-3 with a range of 2200 miles. Provision was made for pressurisation, but was not fitted. The prototype first flew on 7 June 1938. After testing, it was handed over to United in 1939 for airline trials, but was deemed to be too large and complex for airline demand of the day. The small upper windows were to illuminate sleeping accomodation. Sold to Japan in late 1939. Obtained from UAL 60 years ago.

Delivered to UAL in January 1962. Retired and stored at Denver Stapleton by April 1971. Sold to Sterling Airways as OY-SAJ in February 1972. Broken up in August 1977.

The Model 40 was Boeing's first passenger aircraft. Two pax sat in the forward cabin and up to 2500 lbs of U.S. Mail was carried. C.A.M.18 was from San Francisco to Chicago - as marked on the "Arrow" insignia. This aircraft was built as a 40A with a 420 hp P&W Wasp, but was converted to a 40B by replacing the engine with a 525 hp P&W Hornet. This gave the 40B a cruise of 110 mph over 550 miles. Obtained from UAL 60 years ago.

Delivered new to United as N7026U in December 1964, serving until sale to Federal Express in September 1990. Not put into service by Fedex and used for spares.

This early production DC-8-21 served United from 23 January 1960 until stored at Denver in February 1974. It wears the early UAL DC-8 scheme at Philadelphia n April 1972.

United's beautiful DC-8-52 is prepared for departure from SFO. It served UAL from April 1965 until sale as TC-JBZ in October 1980. Three PSA Boeing 727s and a UAL Boeing 720 (left) and another UAL DC-8 (right) in the background, plus a black cloud of unburnt jet fuel at left from a recent take-off!

The first of seven Stratocruisers delivered to UAL during late 1949 and early 1950, seen during a pre-handover photo sortie off the Washington coast. N31225 served UAL from 28 September 1949 until sale to BOAC as G-ANTX on 29 December 1954. Photo obtained from Boeing.

United Airlines were the launch customer for the Boeing 247. Within a few months of the type's first flight in early 1933, over 30 were in service with UAL, replacing the previous assortment of single-engined and biplane airliners. Photo obtained from Boeing.

One of two Monomails built as technology demonstrators for latge monoplane commercial aircraft. Initially Model 200, here modified to eight-seat 221A standard and test flown by United Airlines. The future site of Boeing's Renton factory lies beyond the Monomail's right wheel. From UAL 60 years ago.