Color Scheme: Delivery Colors with TEAL on tail.

Registration: ZK-NZA

Composition: A Refinished Douglas Factory Polished Aluminum Model

Dimensions: Length: 24.5" (62cm), Wingspan 23.5" (60cm)

Condition: Near Mint

Model History: This Original Douglas Factory Model was painted in Air Canada colors when I originally acquired it on August 31, 1999. Unfortunately the paint and decals had were worn badly so I decided to have it refinished in ONA colors. My friends at Airborne Replicas once again did a fantastic job at refinishing it for me. I Received it on January 3, 2003. Later in 2008 I acquired a 1/72 DC-8-61 blank which was finished in ONA colors by Atlantic Models, Miami, Fl. Not needing two ONA models in the same paint scheme I decided to have this model redone in the TEAL/Air New Zealand Livery with an old set of decals made by Douglas. Atlantic Models did as near of a perfect job as I have ever seen in refinishing this model. Many Thanks to All of The Folks at Atlantic!

Air New Zealand's DC-8 History: Air New Zealand, New Zealand's Flag Carrier, began operations as Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) by starting trans-Tasman flight service in 1949. During the 1950s TEAL's "Coral Route" (Auckland-Suva-Apia-Akiama-Papeete) became a very popular route for international air travellers. In 1965 TEAL was renamed Air New Zealand and took it's first Factory Delivery of the Douglas DC-8. Only the first DC-8 (ZK-NZA) was delivered in the TEAL/Air New Zealand Livery (as depicted by the model above). All subsequent DC-8s were delivered in Air New Zealand's second color scheme which eliminated the TEAL and increased the size of the 5 stars on the tail. These 5 stars were also rearranged on the tail to depict the Southern Cross (I beleive). Air New Zealand went on to operate a total of 8 DC-8s, all DC-8-52s - except for one which they had converted from a DC-8-52 to a DC-8-54F (Jet Trader). Five of their eight DC-8s were Factory Deliveries, two were purchased used from United Airlines and one was leased from United. Air New Zealand retired it's last DC-8 on August 30, 1989 thus ending 24 years of excellent service for the airline. Click Here to See Air New Zealand's DC-8 Fleet Information.

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