1967-1984

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. In April 1965, Douglas finally announced belated fuselage stretches for the DC-8; with not just one but three new models, known as the Super Sixties. The DC-8 programme had been in danger of closing with fewer than 300 aircraft sold, but the Super Sixties brought fresh life to it. The long-range DC-8 Series 62 followed in April 1967. It had a much more modest stretch of just 2 m (over the -61), the same JT8D-3B engines as the -53 and the -61, and a number of modifications to provide greater range.
Swissair had Seven DC-8-62 in its fleet two of them beeing the freighter Version DC-8-62CF .

HB-IDE	Douglas DC-8-62 # 45919/312	23.11.1967 08.10.1979	Genève, later Uri Delivered new to Swissair as HB-IDE. It was written off after overrunning the wet runway in Athens, killing 14 of the 154 people on board on october 10th, 1979. (Note: in the Forum this accident is discussed and an accident-report is linked)
HB-IDF	Douglas DC-8-62 # 45920/319	02.01.1967 09.10.1983	Zürich, later Schwyz Delivered new to Swissair as HB-IDF. In 1983 it was sold and registered N923CL, flying for Capitol Air. Became C-GMXY at Nationair, Zambia Air and Cason Air Ltd. N924BV with Buffalo airways thereafter and 4K-AZ25 with Silk Way. Is stored in Ostende (B) since 2003 and will probably be broken up soon...
HB-IDG	Douglas DC-8-62 # 45925/333	24.02.1968 15.09.1983	Matterhorn, later Neuchâtel Delivered new to Swissair as HB-IDG. In 1983 it was sold and registered N922CL, flying for Capitol Air , then C-GMXR at Nationair, CX-BQN with Pluna, N922BV with Buffalo Airways, LX-TLB with Lion Air & Cargo Lion. Today stored in Manston (GB)
HB-IDH	Douglas DC-8-62CF # 45984/370	11.07.1968 01.04.1976	Piz Bernina Delivered new to Swissair as HB-IDH. Aircraft was a convertible passenger/cargo version It was leased to Balair from 1976 to 1978. In 1981 it was sold to the peruan Air Force, where it flew as FAP371 and OB-1373 and was presidencial Aircraft. Now stored in Lima
HB-IDI	Douglas DC-8-62 # 46077/470	05.07.1969 11.04.1984	Solothurn Delivered new to Swissair as HB-IDI. In 1984 it was sold and registered N923R, flying for United Air Carriers, and thereafter N801AX with Airborne Express.
HB-IDK	Douglas DC-8-62CF # 46078/475	06.08.1969 26.12.1981	Matterhorn Delivered new to Swissair as HB-IDK. Aircraft was a convertible passenger/cargo version. In 1981 it was sold to the peruan Air Force, where it flew as FAP370 and OB-1372 and is still flying today.
HB-IDL	Douglas DC-8-62 # 45417/69	06.02.1970 26.04.1984	Aargau Delivered new to Swissair as HB-IDL. In 1984 it was sold and registered N924CL, flying for Capitol Air, later National Airlines. Thereafter N802AX with Airborne Express.
non-Swissair
HB-IDZ	Douglas DC-8-63PF # 46074/498		Aircraft operated by Balair, Swissair's Subsidiary. Was also in Swissair Service from June 1973 till November 1973. Still flying today with UPS as N874UP, after having been converted to DC-8-73F

SATA HB-IDM	SATA HB-IDS

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

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Last Update April 2007