Color Scheme: Second Colors

Registration: N861FT

Composition: A Refinished Douglas Factory Polished Aluminum Model

Dimensions: Length: 44" (112cm), Wingspan 34" (86cm)

Condition: Mint

History: I Obtained This DC-8-61 Blank From A Fellow Collector A Couple of Years Ago. It Was Beautifully Finished Off in Flying Tigers Colors by Atlantic Models, Miami, Florida and Delivered on October 30, 2002. I Couldn't Have Asked For a Better Job In Finishing Off This Model - Thank You Roger & Carol Jarman At Atlantic Models For The Outstanding Work!

Flying Tiger's DC-8 History: Flying Tiger Line has a unique and distinguished history in the air cargo airline business. The airline was founded as "National Skyway Freight Corporation" back in 1945 by Robert Prescott and 9 other ex-miliary pilots. It was set up to haul air cargo within the USA using surplus military aircraft from World War II. In 1946 the name was changed to the Flying Tiger Line (aka Flying Tigers) and Bob Prescott would lead the fledgling company from a precarious financial beginning into a multi-million dollar corporation and on to be the world's largest cargo airline (surpassing Pan American in 1980). Throughout the 1940s, 1950s & early 1960s Flying Tigers used a number of different propliner aircraft in an all cargo configuration. In 1965 Tigers entered the jet age with two Boeing 707-320C Intercontinental Jetliners and 4 Douglas DC-8F-55 Jet Traders - which were initially leased to Seaboard World Airlines. However, in May 1966 Flying Tigers took a giant leap forward with order of 10 Douglas 'Super' DC-8-63AF (Air Freighter) aircraft to be factory delivered beginning in mid 1968. From this initial order of 10, plus additional DC-8-63CF (Convertible Freighter) aircraft acquired directly from Douglas, and also some other DC-8-61 & DC-8-63 Freighters acquired from the used aircraft market, Flying Tigers was able to standardize on one type of aircraft and retire their Lockheed Constellations, Canadair CL-44 and Boeing 707 equipment. In fact, Flying Tigers even operated a DC-8-62CF for six months and thus was one of the few airlines to operate all 3 versions of the 'Super' DC-8. Click Here to See Flying Tiger's DC-8 Fleet Information. This fleet standardization allowed Flying Tigers to substantially lower their operating costs and more importantly, to have enough 'lift' or capacity to inaccurate trans-pacific cargo services which were awarded to them in 1969. In fact, Flying Tigers considered their DC-8-63s to be their first "Jumbo Jets" and even had their first six DC-8-63s delivered in a distinctive "Jumbo Jet" paint scheme. Click Here To See Flying Tiger Line DC-8-63CF Jumbo Jet Model. This paint scheme was discontinued when the Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet took flight in 1969. Flying Tigers continued to grow throughout the 1970s but it was two events in the late 1970s / early 1980s that enabled them to become the worlds largest cargo airline. First, in 1977 the US Government deregulated the air cargo industry which allowed Flying Tigers to enter many new markets within the USA. Second, in September 1980 Flying Tigers acquired Seaboard World Airlines which brought European routes into the Tiger's system and additional DC-8 and 747 equipment into the Tiger's fleet. Click Here to See Seaboard World DC-8F-55 Model & History. During the 1980s Flying Tigers continued to be the dominant "heavy cargo" airline but also saw intense competition from the new small parcel express airlines, like Federal Express & United Parcel Service, which became extremely successful very quickly. In fact it was Federal Express who saw the opportunity to quickly enter the "heavy cargo" business and bought Flying Tiger Line on August 7, 1989. This is just a very brief history of the Flying Tiger Line. If you would like more information please check out: www.flyingtigerline.org for a wonderful and in depth account of this Great Airline.

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Photo Courtesy Of & Many Thanks To: AIRLINERS.NET and Photographer Andrew Abshier.