It has been well over 60 years since the Douglas DC-8 conducted its first flight. Along with the Boeing 707, this aircraft was one of two narrowbody quadjets that are widely considered to have catalyzed the jet age. A handful of examples remain active today, even after more than half a century in the skies. Let’s examine a few in today’s video.
Article: https://simpleflying.com/douglas-dc-8-active-2022/
Our Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/simpleflyin…
https://twitter.com/simple_flying
https://www.facebook.com/simpleflying…
Our Website
https://simpleflying.com/
For copyright matters please contact us at: [email protected]
source
Pretty cool.. seen the Samaritans purse one at YYZ a few times this summer.
I did the glass cockpit up grade on UPS's fleet of DC-8's in the early 90's. At the time I think they had around 40 8's in their inventory. I t is built like a truck and very reliable.
Is amazing to see the OB-2158P here in Costa Rica every tuesday and thursday, I try to take photos when I can ❤
I began a career at Douglas Aircraft Co., Long Beach, California, in March of 1969 as a Publications Writer. My responsibility was to write descriptive, maintenance practices, and troubleshooting information for publication in Chapter 22 – Autoflight in the official Douglas Aircraft Company DC-8-60 Series Maintenance Manual, as used by our Customer Airlines. In the mid 1980's, I was a Douglas Field Service Rep stationed in the San Francisco area. I visited Transamerica in Oakland, California weekly and amongst other tasks, I supported the DC-8-70 aircraft mentioned in your video! The primary purpose of the re-engining program was for compliance with more-stringent noise regulations that were being mandated to take effect on January 1, 1985. In all, 110 "Super 70's" were delivered: 53 -71's, 7 -72's, and 50 -73's. The DC-8-72 has the longest range of all DC-8 models at 7860 nautical miles.
Great story!, I was a nice experience on board by this model of DC-8 from EZE to MEX, by Aeroperú, many years ago…
I was on a Delta DC-8 that had an aborted takeoff right at rotation at Ohare in the early 80s and it still is one of my most memorable flying experiences …..
Douglas was a great manufacturer, a few bits of bad luck left them vulnerable to a takeover
Beautifull aircraft, somehowe (duno why) i prefer it over the 707.
Especialy with the new engines and glass cockpit conversions it's still a great aircraft
I personally prefer the 707 – but also as a San Diego resident I really liked the short lived Convair 880
In June, 1984, I was on a DC-8 operated by Transamerica Airlines on a scheduled charter flight JFK-Shannon-JFK. To me they were better than the 707. They got an extension of life as freighter including by UPS and DHL due the legendary overengineering by Douglas at the time. I recall seeing into the 2000-teens UPS ones at EWR, in 2004 a DHL one in yellow-gold livery. They just had nice lines. The closest in looks to the DC-8 is the A-340 series, another favorite for me in the looks department.
Have thousands of hours flying 61,62, 63, 71 and 73 DC-8s for Interstate Airlines, the forerunner of ATI, and Rosenbalm all over the world. I consider the DC-8 a superior aircraft over the Boeing 707 because of its simplicity. The only thing you need hydraulics for is to raise the gear, lower the flaps and operate the cargo door. The elevators have NO hydraulics at all. It is the finest legacy aircraft ever built. I retired in 2002 flying a Boeing 777 and at that time was the greatest airplane ever built (civilian). Today it is probably the 787. as a note the 757 was almost a DC-8 with two engines. That aircraft needs to be put back in production with more fuel-efficient engines. Riding in a 737 is like riding in a VW Bug while riding in a 757 is like riding in an 80s Cadillac Eldorado.
In 1971 while I was in the Air Force, I flew on a Super DC-8 from SEA-TAC to JFK NY. When we got over the mountains, we encountered the worst turbulence I've ever experienced and it kept on for 25 minutes. I was sitting in the rear and watched the wings flex, probably to their limits. It was really frightening, but it was only then that I really appreciated the work the Douglas engineers had done. The rest of the flight continued without further incident.
The DC8 is one amazing looking aircraft
A very interesting report!
I flew on a DC-8 from the US to Germany in 1968.
If I'm not mistaken Samaritan's purse has a operational DC-8.
I saw the first DC-8 in United livery at LAX, back when I was in the 8th grade. Also saw the first B-707 in Continental Airline livery at, again LAX at about the same time. Both were impressive to someone who thought Super Connies, in TWA color, were huge. I thought the DC-8 was a physically prettier aircraft. Thanks for the video. Jon
That old ATI combi jet you keep showing taking off may be the one that was retired in Ohio, painted up in the livery of an African company with African tail number attached, and sat for years, and possibly was never delivered. Deal fell thru? I am not surprised that a couple are left in the third world beating around occasionally. Old recips used to fly between Miami and So. America alot and might still be flying down south.
The dc-8 is a very well built aircraft
Oh the good old days
I live where the Samaritans Purse DC-8 resides, Greensboro NC
The 707 is the one that gets the glory, but the fact the DC-8 lasted much longer after the arrival of newer jets says a lot about which was actually the better design.
I remember seeing the NASA version at Edwards AFB before they retired it. I saw it and didn't recognize it so I researched it and found out what it was.
1995 – VIE – MIA and back – they had to swap some engine parts before takeoff, but it was a classic back then already 😉
Dang, I got a pic of one of those. Bad but still.
I always loved flying on the DC-8. As I recall, it did not have leading edge slats, so it landed with a different nose-down attitude than the rival 707 did.
Old planes should go to the scrap yard. Eat the loss, move on.
Fascinating to realize the DC-8 long-outlasted the L1011 TriStar – a much revered plane.
Like these fantastic old-school aircraft like the DC-8!
Been on many DC-8s . Liked them. My first trip on one brought GI me home from Asia in 1970. Supposed to be non-stop Seoul-Seatac, but didn't make it. Had to stop in Anchorage for gas. Glad the crew recognized this.
Some of the best passenger airliners ever, were these DC-8's…. Very good performers, and very durable… We (UAL) had some of these re-powered with CFM-56 engines…. They became real hot-rods after doing that , but the larger thrust path from the larger CFM-56 engines, caused problems with the aft flaps & carriages…. Also, the pilots said these planes liked going fast, and they were hard to slow down on decent with the CFM-56 engines that put out more thrust at idle, than the JT-3 engines….
The DC-8 was one of the airplanes of my childhood, starting with a United -10 or -20 in 1965. I flew on a Pan American -30, Alitalia -40, Swissair -50 and -62, United -61, and KLM -63. My last DC-8 flight was on a Rich International -62, in 1984. That's a nearly two-decade span. She's still a beautiful aircraft!
After the Army I started my avaition career working on DC-8 planes in North Carolina, it was a beautiful and still is, it was lots of fun to work on, but the company paid low so I moved on. I'll never forget the DC-8.
I remember seeing the DC8 belonging to Trans Canada air lines CF-TJM in THE BOAC hangar smelling of cabbages and covered in mud after a failed take off
Can't believe I can say that I served as aircrew (just a research technician/intern) operating instruments on N817NA (the NASA one). Such a wonderful experience, getting to be in the jump seat for take off and watching such an old girl perform elegantly has to be the pinnacle of my aviation experience so far.