DOUGLAS DC-8

 

 

Unfortunately this old photo isn't focused so the models can't be seen clearly. Consequently I have identified each model on each shelf on the right side of the photo.

 

 

Top Shelf:
Pan American
B707-321B, B747-121, B727-021

Second Shelf:
Trans World Airlines
DC-9-14, B747-131, B727-031,B707-331B

Third Shelf:
Eastern Airlines
DC-8-61, B727-025, DC-9-14, B747-121

Forth Shelf:
American Airlines
B727-023, B747-123, B707-323B

Bottom Shelf: Northwest Orient
B727-051, B747-151, B707-351B

Floor - Misc. Airlines:
Japan (JAL) 747-146, Eastern DC-8-61, BOAC VC-10,
Braniff-Blue 727-027, Ozark DC-9-15, Braniff-Red 727-027, United 737-222

Once I began collecting the large "Travel Agency" type models I also started to display them at our local travel agency - Kaymax Travel which was a nice arrangement for both of us. The agency was able to use my models at their 3 offices & at sales events and in return I was able to write the marketing/public relations offices for the airlines and request that they sell me a model of one of their planes (a dc-8 of course) with a promise to display their model in the travel agency offices. These requests to the airlines actually worked sometimes and I acquired some of the early models in my collection this way.

Airlines such as Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Air Bahama, Alitalia, Garuda, Loftleidir Icelandic, Qantas, Scandinavian & Swissair all sold me DC-8 models for very reasonable prices and some even donated them to my collection. The models were usually 1/100 or 1/72 scale in plastic or fiberglass but the Garuda and Scandinavian DC-8 models were metal - which was terrific! I kept my end of the agreement and displayed them at the travel agency well into my college years. The only drawback from this arrangement was that customers at the travel agency sometimes handled them and accidentally damaged a few of them. However, for a high school kid, saving for college & otherwise pretty ‘broke’, this was a wonderful way to build up my collection in the early years.

Sadly, none of the domestic (USA) airlines were so generous - with one huge exception. A United Air Lines Sales Representative saw my 1/50 Iberia DC-8-52 Douglas Factory Model at a travel show in the Kaymax Travel booth at our local mall. I talked with him and he told me that he would try to get me a United DC-8 model (of some sort) but no promises were made. I hadn't heard anything from him in months and then one day he stopped by my house with a 1/50 United DC-8F-54 Douglas Factory Model and just gave it to me! I was absolutely flabbergasted and couldn't thank him enough! This same United model is still in my collection to this day & I will always be grateful to United Air Lines for being so generous!

 

 

Once again this old photo isn't focused but you can see three of my Douglas Factory DC-8 Models – a United DC-8F-54 (referenced in the story above) on the left, Trans Caribbean DC-8-51 on the top/middle and Iberia DC-8-52 on the right. Also, there is a 1/72 scale Continental Airlines Sabreliner Model (Continental used that aircraft as a pilot trainer & corporate jet) sitting on the desk (lower right corner) and a 1/164 Playboy DC-9-32 Model sitting under the 3 DC-8s. All 3 of the big 8s are still in my collection today.

Of course, plastered to the walls were numerous airline posters, seat diagrams, safety cards, seat occupied cards, etc. Typical, I guess, of a teenager who is 'crazy' about the airlines in general and the DC-8 in particular.