1960-1967

The popular DC-8 was Douglas' first jet powered airliner, and the USA's second successful jet powered transport behind the Boeing 707. The DC-8 was officially announced in July 1955. Four versions were offered to begin with, all based on the same 45.9 m long airframe with a 43 m wingspan, but varying in engines and fuel capacity with maximum weights between 120 and 130 tonnes. First flight was planned for December 1957 and entry into revenue service for 1959. Well aware that they were lagging behind Boeing, Douglas began a major push to market the product.
Swissair bought three units of the DC-8-32, one later beeing converted to a DC-8-53, of which Swissair also bought an additional one.

HB-IDA	Douglas DC-8-32 conv DC-8-33 # 45416/54	20.04.1960 15.03.1968	Matterhorn, later Geneve Delivered new to Swissair as HB-IDA. Converted to DC-8-33 in March 1961. Was sold as D-ADIM in 1968 to Südflug which was later suceeded by Atlantis. Afterwards HS-TGW at THAI Airways. Then N45908 with Overseas International and Agro-Air; HI-435 with Aeromar. Today registered as HK-3178X flying with LAC Columbia as DC-8-33F, or eventually broken upby now...
HB-IDB	Douglas DC-8-32 # 45417/69	18.06.1960 00.05.1964 (1976)	Jungfrau, later Basel Stadt Delivered new to Swissair as HB-IDB. Converted to DC-8-33 in February 1961 and to DC-8-53 in May 1964 and renamed Genf. (aircraft flew with Swissair until 1976)
HB-IDC	Douglas DC-8-32 # 45526/98	29.08.1960 23.12.1967	Piz Bernina, later Zürich Delivered new to Swissair as HB-IDC. Converted to DC-8-33 in March 1961. Was sold as D-ADIR in 1968 to Südflug which was later suceeded by Atlantis. Was also leased to Aeromartime for a couple of months. Afterwards HS-TGU at THAI Airways in April 1973. Aircraft crashed on May 10th, 1973 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

• Airliners.net overview of the DC-8
• Dc-8 Fanpage
• History of the DC-8 and all its subvariants

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