Color Scheme: Delivery Colors

Registration: N8955U

Composition: A Refinished Douglas Factory Polished Aluminum Model

Dimensions: Length: 45" (114cm), Wingspan 34" (86cm)

Condition: Excellent

History: I Obtained This DC-8-61 Blank From A Fellow Collector in December 1992. It Was Beautifully Finished Off in Saturn Airways Colors by Atlantic Models, Miami, Florida and delivered back to me on March 23, 2005. The folks at Atlantic did a Great Job of Finishing Off This Model using a Set of Very Old Decals. Unfortunately, during transit the tail of the model received some damage which I did my best to correct.

Saturn's DC-8 History: The origin of Saturn Airways dates back to 1948 with the founding of All American Airways. All American used Curtis C-46 Commando aircraft to fly civil freight charters and US Military contract work. In 1960 the company changed their name to Saturn Airways and added the larger & longer range DC-6B aircraft to its fleet. In 1963 Saturn added Douglas DC-7s to the fleet in anticipation of being granted the route certificate (authority) to fly transatlantic charter flights (distances that were greater than the DC-6 was designed to fly nonstop). The European charter flights began in 1964. In late 1965 Saturn acquired AXXICO Airlines, aka American Air Export & Import, and thus gained another base of operations in Miami as well as Oakland, California. In the mid-1960s Saturn continued to grow with the acquisition of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules which enabled them to retire the older C-46, DC-6 & DC-7 equipment as well as expand their operations. Saturn entered the jet age in December 1967 with the Factory Delivery their first DC-8-61CF aircraft. The versatile DC-8 combination passenger/freighter enabled Saturn to expand their passenger and freight charters simultaneously. Saturn's second DC-8-61CF aircraft was Factory Delivered in January 1968. In addition Saturn leased a DC-8F-54 & DC-8F-55 in the late 1960s. Click Here to See Saturn's DC-8 Fleet Information. Saturn entered the decade of the 1970s with their fleet of DC-8s which handled most of their passenger & military charter work. In addition they began taking delivery of Lockheed L-100 Hercules aircraft to supplement the DC-8s in handling air freight. In 1972 Saturn acted quickly to take over a Military Airlift Command (MAC) contract, and 9 Lockheed L-188 Electra's associated with it, from bankrupt Universal Airlines. Click Here to See a Universal Airlines DC-8-61CF Model. By 1976 Saturn Airways itself was being sought after by the Trans America Corporation. Thus on 11/30/76 Saturn was merged into Trans America's - Trans International Airlines (TIA). The merged carrier, later renamed Trans America Airlines, became the largest air freight & charter operator in the world during that time. Click Here to See a Trans International Airlines DC-8-61CF Model.

Click Here to View a Photo of the Actual Aircraft
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Photo Courtesy Of & Many Thanks To: AIRLINERS.NET and Photographer Bob Garrard.