Condition: Mint
Model History: Produced by Atlantic
Models, Miami Florida. Acquired from Atlantic Models on December
9, 2003.
Douglas DC-8-61
Background Information
From McDonnell Douglas
Corporation Public Relations
Dated September, 1971
"The Super 61, nearly
37 feet longer than the standard DC-8, has a total length of 187.4
feet. The fuselage is extended 440 inches by adding a cabin section
of 240 inches fore & one of 200 inches aft of the wing. The
lengthened cabin accommodates up to 259 passengers, 70 more than
any previous DC-8.
Baggage & cargo space under the floor are proportionately
increased to 2500 cubic feet, enabling an airline operator to
pay the entire direct operating cost of the aircraft from cargo
capacity. The Super 61 DC-8 reduced direct operating cost to less
than once cent per seat-mile for the first time in aviation history.
The increased cubic capacity of the freighter version of Super
61 -- 12,580 cubic feet compared to 8810 cubic feet for the Series
50 DC-8F -- makes it possible for air cargo operators to accept
many categories of bulky, low-density items previously considered
unsuitable for air shipment.
Production of the Super 61 DC-8 began in 1965. The transport made
its maiden flight March 14, 1966, and first delivery to an airline
[United Air Lines] January 26, 1967. The big jet made its debut
in commercial service on February 25, 1967."
