Had to roll out of the sack at 3:45 AM in order to get to RNO in time to get on the ramp for some close up snaps, but it was very much worth the loss of a couple hours of sleep because this one always looks awesome. After getting my ramp clicks, I scooted over to the east side of the airport in time to get on a rooftop to catch it taking off just before the sun popped up over the mountains behind me. The time of departure was perfect; half an hour earlier and it would have been too dark; an hour later and the heat waves would have started to badly degrade this snap.

Great shot Gary! One of the coolest special paints in my opinion. Good timing being in between the two UPSs also.

Thanx VM, Mark. I had planned on posting one of my closeup ramp shots (taken way before first light ... even before the ground prep began), but this entire series of departure clicks came out so well ... and then, when I captured it between the UP freighters ... AND ... I also caught the beacons a-blinkin', I decided this was the pic to post. :)

Fantastic capture Gary!

Absolutely stunning shot Gary! What's the 'N' in the hills made of?

Tks, Roy.
Mark T >> White rocks. It stands for the University of Nevada - Reno (UNR). It has actually been there on Peavine Mountain for around 100 years. It gets "refreshed" every year by UNR students.
There are five such letters in the Reno area: the "N" seen here; an "S" for Sparks (see my photo of C-FYJG; it is in the background); also an "R" (see my photo of 89-1186, a C130; it is in the background of the shot); also a "D" for Damonte Ranch, and a "G" for Galena (visible in the background of my picture of helicopter N109LN).

I notice United Airlines has this one marked "A320 Friend Ship"... Somewhat non sequitur is that Fokker called its F27 aircraft the "Friendship". However United has always been about "Fly the Friendly Skies" so their "Friend Ship" aircraft are fittingly named. Just a comment, folks!

Great picture Gary! Outstanding!

Outstanding catch and capture, Gary! This aircraft keeps coming in and out of service with United. Not sure why.

Is it just me or does anyone else think maybe the UA employees would get a nice boost if they went total retro on all their fleet to this scheme? This looks fabulous and based on the cookie cutter if not dreadful logos around today (re: American Airlines!) this look would truly stand out, and recall a time when flying was really an event. Do it.

Love all your shots Gary. As an area resident (Carson City), former pilot and aviation enthusiast in general, I especially enjoy all your RNO snaps. Please keep them coming.

Cliff, Dave, and Dwight .. Hi, guys, and Thanx for the comments.
N9341C .. I'd like to see this livery revived, but we both know it is only wishful thinking on our parts. There are baggage carts full of reasons, but no need to list any but one of those reasons ... the cost of reclothing the fleet ... to know why there will never be more than one dressed in this garb. I do wonder; however, why UA does not put this scheme on a US manufacturer's bird (such as a 737 or etc.)? Of the several a/c companies that UA did business with in its earlier history, the UA-Boeing link (for example) has a far longer "traceable history" than any connection with Airbus or its predecessors. ???
Hello, Bill. Your comment is very much appreciated. :-) Just curious; are you any relation to either Tom (Redding, CA) or Dan (Windsor, CA)? Thanks for commenting. It just happens that I'm at CXP tomorrow for an arrival, and after the arrival I'm immediately headed for RNO for a second capture. If you are interested (either tomorrow or at some future time) in a face-to-face, email me at OldeCarl@gmail.com and we can arrange a meet. Or if you'd just like to receive an occasional photo, I sometimes send pretty good snaps to a few email buddies and I can include you on the list. Again, a pleasure to hear from you and TYVM for the compli. (Wave)

Gary I just got home from OSH. I got a few in the next day or 2 you'll love.