Recent UA peeling paint livery sightings
Sep 13, 2019, 4:04 pm
#31
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, DL DM, UA 1K, MR PP
Posts: 352
Not particularly paint related but noticed this on the wing of a recent flight. Having been a auto mechanic in a prior life, I know dirt is usually attracted to oil/fluid which was somewhat disconcerning. The dirt patched didnt grow throughout the flight, and I assumed any leak would have set off a low/abnormal pressure indicator so maybe it was leftover from a prior leak?
Sep 13, 2019, 6:19 pm
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,451
img
Not particularly paint related but noticed this on the wing of a recent flight. Having been a auto mechanic in a prior life, I know dirt is usually attracted to oil/fluid which was somewhat disconcerning. The dirt patched didnt grow throughout the flight, and I assumed any leak would have set off a low/abnormal pressure indicator so maybe it was leftover from a prior leak?
Not particularly paint related but noticed this on the wing of a recent flight. Having been a auto mechanic in a prior life, I know dirt is usually attracted to oil/fluid which was somewhat disconcerning. The dirt patched didnt grow throughout the flight, and I assumed any leak would have set off a low/abnormal pressure indicator so maybe it was leftover from a prior leak?
edit: good answer below.
Last edited by fumje; Sep 13, 2019 at 6:25 pm
Sep 13, 2019, 6:23 pm
#33
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: BNA
Programs: HH Gold. (Former) UA PP, DL PM, PC Plat
Posts: 8,178
The black marks come from metal rubbing against metal in a moist environment, i.e. clouds or rain. They are extended back from the area of each set of slat tracks.
This is one way that mechanics identify rivets that are a bit loose. The slight movement that they allow produces those black streaks.
This is one way that mechanics identify rivets that are a bit loose. The slight movement that they allow produces those black streaks.
Feb 5, 2021, 1:32 pm
#36
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: Delta GM, Southwest A-List
Posts: 41
As of January 4, 2021, N791UA still looks like the worst failed paint in the whole airline (unless there are examples I haven't seen).
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10013139
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10013139
Feb 5, 2021, 7:50 pm
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Feb 6, 2021, 1:14 pm
#40
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,153
As of January 4, 2021, N791UA still looks like the worst failed paint in the whole airline (unless there are examples I haven't seen).
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10013139
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10013139
Feb 8, 2021, 9:17 am
#41
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: BWIADCA
Posts: 1,902
Not sure if it counts but one of the CRJ700s (seem to recall it's one of the Mesa birds in the N5xxLR registration series always seems to be parked on one of the even D gates at IAD and just as universally seems to be missing more paint each time. Is this UA's new fleet reduction strategy? Whichever UAex bird voluntarily drops it's entirely livery first gets voted out of the fleet?
N506MJ
Feb 8, 2021, 10:47 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,451
Not sure if it counts but one of the CRJ700s (seem to recall it's one of the Mesa birds in the N5xxLR registration series always seems to be parked on one of the even D gates at IAD and just as universally seems to be missing more paint each time. Is this UA's new fleet reduction strategy? Whichever UAex bird voluntarily drops it's entirely livery first gets voted out of the fleet?
Feb 8, 2021, 10:54 am
#44
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: BWIADCA
Posts: 1,902
If you've seen the sad CR7 in question recently IAD, I think there must be a second one in such a sorry state. N506MJ has been parked for a bit. https://sites.google.com/site/united...fleet-tracking (last flight 4-Jan going OKC - TUS storage)
Feb 8, 2021, 11:00 am
#45
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,153
I definitely saw it in December -- haven't really been in IAD during daylight hours in January -- though oddly I'm typing this from SFO waiting for 1491 to IAD so...if there is an imposter maybe I'll see it