Tag: DC-8-71(F)

Short Photo Report – My First Ever DC-8

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By me
All photos me too, copyrighted

Though I’ve had my fair share of off-topic airliner posts on here recently, I decided I might just as well get away with another one before normal GA service is resumed 😀 (and with a lengthy in-flight photo post at that). The reason for this latest deviation from the norm is another very rare visitor that had popped into Zagreb just the other day – one of the most beautiful classic jetliners to ever take to the skies, the inimitable Douglas DC-8 :).

Even though I was naturally thrilled to see my first ever Diesel 8, I was a bit disappointed that it was not one of the “full fat” older generation models, but an upgraded DC-8-71(F) freighter operated by National Airlines of the US. Factory-modified with CFM International CFM-56 high-bypass turbofan engines – and I believe even an EFIS cockpit 🙂 – the -71(F) lacks the charisma and presence of the older JT3 turbojet models; but it was a DC-8 nonetheless, so I was naturally set and ready with my camera when it decided to depart :D.

The flying pencil rocketing out of Zagreb’s RWY 05, bound for Luxembourg :). Apart from its eye-catching fuselage length, the DC-8 appears quite small when viewed head on or from the back… and also quite gorgeous in a gloss paint scheme
What it would have looked like back during the -8’s heyday in the 60s and 70s :). Note also the surprisingly flat takeoff attitude – flying empty and with little fuel, no dramatic rotation was necessary… I’m almost tempted to say that it takes off like a big An-2 – some noise, some movement and then it just starts going up 😀