YESTERDAY'S AIRLINES
  • Home
    • About
    • Links
  • My Models
    • The NZ Hangar 2016-2022
    • USA - Trunk Airlines >
      • Pan Am
      • American Airlines
      • Braniff International
      • Continental Airlines
      • Delta Air Lines
      • Eastern Air Lines
      • National Airlines
      • Northeast Airlines
      • Northwest Airlines
      • Trans World Airlines (TWA)
      • United Airlines
      • Western Airlines
    • USA - Local Service >
      • Allegheny / USAir
      • Frontier Airlines
      • Hughes Airwest
      • Mohawk Airlines
      • Piedmont Airlines
      • My Ozark Airlines Fleet
      • Republic Airlines
      • My Texas Int Fleet
    • Global Fleets >
      • Russia
    • My Collection >
      • US Other Fleets >
        • My Alaska Airlines Fleet
        • My Hawaiian / Aloha Fleet
        • My PSA Fleet
        • My Flying Tigers Fleet
        • My World Airways Fleet
      • UK Fleets >
        • My British Airways Fleet
      • Canadian Fleets
  • AV History
    • Airline History Blog
    • Airline Development >
      • CANADA >
        • Canadian Mainline
        • Canadian Charters & LCCs
        • Canadian Regionals
      • CHINA >
        • Part 1: China's Airlines Industry Blossoms 1984-2002
        • Part 2: The Big Six in the 1990s
        • The Big Three
        • Hainan Airlines Group
        • Other Chinese Airlines
      • IRAN
      • MEXICO >
        • 1988-2005: Competition arrives
        • 2005-2014: Low cost in Mexico
        • Mexican Airline Genealogy
        • Mexicana Livery Tails
      • RUSSIA >
        • Aeroflot Group
        • S7 Airlines & AiRUnion
        • Other Russian Airlines
      • SOUTH AFRICA
      • UNITED KINGDOM >
        • BA Genealogy Pt1
        • BA Genealogy Pt2
        • BA Genealogy Pt3
        • BUIA & BUAF Genealogies
        • UK Charter Airlines Pt1
        • UK Charter Airlines Pt2
        • BEA Liveries 1946-1974
        • BOAC Liveries 1939-1974
      • UNITED STATES >
        • Trunk & Local Service Airlines >
          • American / TWA Genealogy
          • Delta / Northwest Genealogy
          • United / Continental Genealogy
          • Braniff / Eastern / US Airways Genealogy
        • Territorial Airlines
        • Intra-State Airlines
        • Supplemental Airlines
        • Deregulation Startups 1
        • Deregulation Startups 2
        • Trunk Airline Livery Changes 1959-1980
    • Liveries >
      • Aeroméxico Liveries
      • American Airlines Liveries
      • British Airways Liveries
      • Continental Airlines Liveries
      • Delta Air Lines Liveries
      • Eastern Air Lines Liveries
      • Landor Liveries
      • National Airlines Liveries
      • Northeast Airlines Liveries
      • Northwest Airlines Liveries
      • Pan Am Liveries
      • Trans World Airlines Liveries
      • United Airlines Liveries
      • Western Airlines Liveries
    • Special Liveries >
      • Air China Specials
    • Airbus A380s >
      • ANA A380s - Flying Honu
      • Korean A380s - Taegeuk
      • Malaysia A380s - Wau Jets
    • Boeing 747 >
      • The Early Years Pt1
      • The Early Years Pt2: Pan Am
    • Real Airport Histories >
      • Albany International
      • Dallas Love Field
      • Rochester International Pt1
      • Rochester International Pt2
      • San Francisco - 1927-1959
      • San Francisco - 1959-1978
      • San Francisco - 1978-2015
      • San Jose International
      • San Jose International Pt2
    • Plane Spotting >
      • Amsterdam (AMS) - Sep 22
      • Frankfurt (FRA) - Oct 2022
    • Aviation Stickers >
      • ATR Stickers
      • A300 Stickers
      • DC-9 Stickers
      • DC-10 Stickers
  • 1:400 SCALE
    • Collecting 1:400 Scale >
      • Who Is The Best?
      • Best Moulds in 400 Scale
    • The History of 1:400 Scale >
      • 1:400 History Pt1: 1996-2000
      • 1:400 History Pt2: 2001-2008
    • 1:400 Brands >
      • Aeroclassics >
        • Generation One History
        • Gen 1 Photo Galleries >
          • BAC One-Eleven
          • Douglas DC-6
          • Douglas DC-9
          • Fairchild FH-227
          • Lockheed L-1049 Super Connie
          • Lockheed L-188 Electra
          • Vickers VC10
          • Vickers Vanguard
          • Vickers Viscount
      • AURORA Models
      • Aviation400 (2007-2012)
      • Big Bird 400 Your Craftsman
      • Black Box Models
      • Blue Box & Magic Models
      • Dragon Wings
      • El Aviador 400
      • Gemini Jets
      • JAL Collection / Jet Hut >
        • The JAL Collection
        • JAL Collection Reviews
        • Jet Hut Boeing 787-9
      • Jet-X >
        • Jet-X: Part 1 2000-2006
        • Jet-X: Part 2 2006-2012
      • MP4 & Airshop Diecast
      • NG Models
      • Seattle Models Co (SMA)
      • Skyjets400
      • Sovereign Models
      • TucanoLine
    • 1:400 Custom Models >
      • DT Custom Models >
        • Tupolev Tu-134s
    • Zinc Rot
  • 1:400 Moulds
    • The Best Moulds >
      • The Best Airbus Moulds Pt1
      • The Best Airbus Moulds Pt2
      • The Best Boeing Moulds Pt1
      • The Best Boeing Moulds Pt2
    • Airbus >
      • Airbus A300
      • Airbus A310
      • Airbus A320 >
        • JC Wings A320 Upgrades
      • Airbus A330-200/300
      • Airbus A330-200F
      • Airbus A330 Beluga XL >
        • A320 Inserts for Beluga XL
      • Airbus A350-900/1000
    • Boeing >
      • Boeing B-377 Stratocruiser
      • Boeing 707-120/138/720
      • Boeing 707-320/420
      • Boeing 717
      • Boeing 727-100
      • Boeing 727-200
      • Boeing 737-100/200
      • Boeing 737-300 >
        • Herpa 737s
      • Boeing 737-400
      • Boeing 737-500
      • Boeing 737-600
      • Boeing 737-700/800/900 >
        • P-8 Poseidon Mould Review
      • Boeing 737 MAX
      • Boeing 747-100/200 >
        • Awful Phoenix 747s
      • Boeing 747SP
      • Boeing 747-8 Interactive
      • Boeing 747LCF Dreamlifter
      • Boeing 757-200 >
        • NG Models 757 Production
      • Boeing 767-200
      • Boeing 767-300
      • Boeing 777-200
      • Boeing 777-300
      • Boeing 787
    • British >
      • Concorde
      • BAC One-Eleven 200-400
      • BAC One-Eleven 500
      • BAE-146 / Avro RJ-85-100
      • De Havilland DH-106 Comet
      • Hawker Siddeley Trident
      • Shorts 360
      • Vickers VC10
      • Vickers Viscount
    • Douglas >
      • Douglas DC-3 / C-47
      • Douglas DC-6
      • Douglas DC-7
      • Douglas DC-7C
      • Douglas DC-8-10-50
      • Douglas DC-8-60s/70s
      • Douglas DC-9-10
      • Douglas DC-9-30
      • Douglas DC-9-41/51
      • McDonnell Douglas DC-10
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-11
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-80
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-90
    • Lockheed >
      • Lockheed Constellation
      • Lockheed Super Connie
      • Lockheed L-1649 Starliner
      • Lockheed L-188 Electra
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 1 / Tristar 200
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 500
    • Other >
      • Convair CV-240-580
      • Convair CV-880/990
      • Curtiss C-46
      • Fairchild F-27 / Fokker F27
      • Fairchild-Hiller FH-227
      • Fokker F28/F70/F100
      • SE 210 Caravelle
    • Chinese >
      • Comac ARJ21
      • Xi'an Y-20
    • Soviet >
      • Antonov An-225
      • Ilyushin IL-62
      • Ilyushin Il-86/Il-96
      • Tupolev TU-104
      • Tupolev TU-154B-2/M
      • Tupolev TU-204
      • Yakovlev Yak-42
  • 1:400 News
    • Model Blog
    • New Mould Samples >
      • Aviation400 >
        • Airbus A320
        • Airbus A330-900NEO
        • Airbus A380 Resin Sample
        • Airbus A380 Metal Sample
        • Airbus A380 Final Sample
        • Boeing 787 Update Mar 21
        • Boeing 787 Update July 21
      • JC Wings >
        • Airbus A310
        • Boeing 747-400
      • NG Models >
        • Airbus A318
        • Airbus A319/320 CEO
        • Airbus A319/320 NEO
        • Airbus A321CEO & NEO
        • Airbus A330-200/300
        • Airbus A330 Beluga XL
        • Airbus A350-900
        • Airbus A350-1000
        • AVIC AG600M - 1:200
        • Boeing 737-600/700/900
        • Boeing 737-600 Refresh
        • Boeing 737-800
        • Boeing 737 MAX-8/MAX-9
        • Boeing B747SP
        • Boeing 747-8I
        • Boeing 747-8F
        • Boeing 777-200
        • Boeing 777-300/300ER
        • Boeing 787-8
        • Comac ARJ21 - 1:200
        • Falcon 7X - 1:200
        • Gulfstream G550 - 1:200
        • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
        • Lockeed Tristar 500
        • Tupolev Tu-154
        • Tupolev Tu-204/Tu-214/Tu-234
    • Retailer Exclusive Releases >
      • Panda Models Exclusives >
        • Panda Exclusives 2015-2021
        • Panda Exclusives 2022
      • JAL DC-8 Twinset
    • FantasyWings GSE >
      • Apron Equipment
      • COBUS 3000 Buses
      • GSE Pax & Cargo Sets
      • Hong Kong Outer Bay Set
      • Hong Kong ATC Tower Set
      • 1:200 GSE Cargo/GPU Sets
      • 1:200 COBUS 3000 Buses
  • 1:400 Reviews
    • Detailed Mould Scoring >
      • Airbus A320ceo & neo
      • Airbus A330 Beluga XL
      • Airbus A330-900neo
      • Airbus A350-900
      • Boeing 737-800
      • Boeing 747SP
      • Boeing 747-400
      • Boeing 777-300ER
      • Boeing 787-9
    • 1:400 Model Reviews
    • Model Airliner.com Reviews
  • 1:600 SCALE
    • Schabak >
      • Schabak History 1982-2006
      • Schabak Non-airline Models
      • Schabak Airline Numbers
      • Schabak Wheel Variants
      • Schabak Window Variants
      • Schabak Decal Cracking
    • Schabak Moulds >
      • Airbus A300
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
      • McDonnell Douglas DC-10
    • Silver Wings
    • Herpa Magic 600 Scale >
      • Herpa Magic History
      • Herpa Magic Mould Photos
    • Imogenia Airport
  • Dioramas
    • Wright Field Airport
    • Xin Long International
    • As Real As It Gets 1:200
    • As Real As It Gets 1:400 >
      • Real As It Gets - Africa
      • Real As It Gets - Asia
      • Real As It Gets - China
      • Real As It Gets - Europe
      • Real As It Gets - Middle East
      • Real As It Gets - N America
      • Real As It Gets - Oceania
      • Real As It Gets - Russia
      • Real As It Gets - S America
Picture

Acker’s Gamble: Air Florida 1979-1982

30/3/2019

1 Comment

 
Picture
​With deregulation of the airlines in the USA the expectation was that an intrastate airline like Air Florida would be a force in the new post-regulation world and for a while that was true enough. The story of Air Florida is forever intertwined with the fortunes and wheeler dealing of one man, Ed Acker who took it from obscurity to the big leagues and then abandoned it for its greatest rival.
Picture
Air Florida Boeing 737-2T4 Adv N53AF Gemini Jets 1:400 Scale Model
With the coming of deregulation C. Edward Acker was able to break his airline, Air Florida, out of the state that it had served since its formation in 1972 by Eli Timoner (who remained Chairman). Acker had transformed the staid and unsuccessful Lockheed Electra equipped Air Florida, he had acquired for only $1.5 million in July 1977, into a sleek and sexy airline. The fleet had been re-equipped with jets, the livery updated to a bright orange and blue and all manner of headline grabbing antics undertaken like onboard cocktails, “Sunshine Sparklers”, and free flight promos, “Sunshine Kisses”, acquired by kissing a “Kiss Miss” employee.
Picture
The first Acker colour scheme on the sole 727-76 N91891. Photo by Bob Garrard from his FlickR page
Picture
Picture
1977 Air Florida file photo of Board Chairman C. Edward Acker
This was just the beginning though and Acker had his sights set on the coming deregulated world. To prepare for this Acker needed to finance growth and this meant new aircraft, new routes, new marketing and a new look, even though the airline was effectively all new already. The Electras were sold and the single leased 727-76 was returned to the lessor in July 1977.

​That left 6 ex-Air Canada Douglas DC-9-15s all acquired in 1977, however the short Nines would themselves not last long into the 1980s. They did enable expansion in Florida with seven new destinations starting on October 1, 1978.
Picture
There's little doubt who 737-112 N46AF had served with last. Photo from the collection of Adrian Balch. Used with permission
Air Florida acquired the small commuter airline Air Sunshine in December 1978, mainly to get routes to the Florida Keys, but replacing Sunshine’s DC-3s and Convairs with the DC-9s was not really an option due to runway constraints. The Boeing 737 however could do the route, and everything else the airline needed.
Picture
Acker delved into the used plane market and began acquiring leased Boeing 737-100s and 737-200s the first of which, N37AF, arrived in January 1979. These sported a new more modern and sophisticated, but still colourful, livery with green and blue replacing the orange and red. The airline had also ordered 5 new 737-2T4s from Boeing. Additionally, Air Florida organized to lease 737s from Aer Lingus, Air Europe and Transavia during the lean European Winter season and the carrier became well known for its hybrid schemes with quickly applied Air Florida titles.
Picture
Another winter season hybrid. This time Air Europe. Peter Duijnmayer [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
The out of state expansion began on December 14, 1978, with a route to Washington D.C – its first interstate service. Services to the Bahamas had started in November and in January 1979 two points in the US Virgin Islands were added. On April 1, New York was added and by the middle of 1980 expansion had taken Air Florida to Houston, Dallas, Philadelphia and into the Caribbean and Central America. 1979 turned into the airline’s first profitable year ever with revenues jumping by 220% to $60 million, including a $3.4 million profit. Air Florida’s success was built on two things – simple low fares without preconditions and high frequency between important city pairs.
Picture
In this April 1979 timetable you can see out of state expansion had begun.
The fleet grew also so that by January 1980 it consisted of 4 DC-9-15s, 4 737-100s and 9 737-200s. All of this expansion came at a price, literally. The airline was in serious debt, partially offset by Acker’s dealings on the foreign exchange market. The debt would be the main killer of the airline in the end but Acker continued, and even accelerated the expansion. Towards the end of 1980 the carrier’s debt had to be refinanced but despite an economy beginning to head in the wrong direction no brake was applied.
On March 28, 1980 charter flights to Europe had been begun with a leased Icelandair DC-10. When Eastern, having been assigned the Miami-London Gatwick route, annoyed the regulators with its insistence on serving Heathrow Air Florida was able to slip in and steal the service away from them. This began accordingly on April 3, 1981 and would be followed by further European capitals. At one point four DC-10-30s were on lease simultaneously to serve these routes.
Picture
The 737 fleet also had a shake-up as earlier leased 737-100/200s were replaced by new 737-2T4s and ex-United 737-222s. By the end of 1980 the fleet stood at 6 DC-9s, 2 737-100s and 17 737-200s. In many ways 1981 was the height of Air Florida’s success but also the year that signaled its downfall.
Picture
The DC-9s received the new colours too. Here is N73AF in early 1981. Photo by Bob Garrard from his FlickR site
Picture
Pan Am had taken over National Airlines in 1980 but the merger had been a disaster. Along with Eastern National had historically been the airline in charge of the Florida bound market down the Eastern seaboard and now Pan Am was forced to decrease services as it struggled to digest its acquisition. This contraction allowed Air Florida to throw half of his fleet onto the former stronghold routes of National and became the second biggest airline to Florida down the Eastern Seaboard (Eastern was still first). 

Left: Note the additional east-coast services on this late 1980 timetable
The airline also announced new orders signing in July 1981 a deal with Boeing for 3 new 757-2T4s (plus 3 options) for a 1983 delivery. The 757s were financed via a complicated double-dipping technique that enabled tax relief through both the US and UK. Further near-term expansion was to be achieved with the acquisition of 5 new 727-227 Advanceds, built for Braniff but never delivered. The first arrived in September 1981. 
Picture
Ex-United 737-222 N9048U before she became N67AF in November 1980. Peter Duijnmayer [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
Air Florida had also for sometime been eyeing up someone to buy as part of a transcontinental strategy. This never really panned out and it missed out on acquiring Air California in May 1981. It was also eyeing up the larger US trunk airline Western and had been given permission to make a formal bid. Other attempts to buy smaller airlines in Texas (Sun Air and Emerald Air) respectively also foundered. In hindsight this all seems crazy, especially as the US economy was entering into a recession and interest rates on debt were spiking. Nonetheless at the time Acker was seen as a genius and Air Florida as a wildly successful airline. 
Picture
One of the leased DC-10s. See Part 2 for the full history of the Air Florida transatlantic routes
Perhaps Acker saw the writing on the wall, or perhaps he just wanted the challenge but he stunned the industry in late August. Opening a talk in New York with a group of Wall Street Analysts expecting to hear of Air Florida’s financials instead were amazed when rising to the podium he said he couldn’t discuss the topic. Instead he said:

"I talked to Cunard Lines and told them I was interested in a job as captain of the Titanic. They informed me that I was too late. Not having that challenge available, I decided to try to find one comparable to that. And so I am accepting the chairmanship of a company called Pan American World Airways."
Picture
N54AF in November 1980. Peter Duijnmayer [GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html) or GFDL 1.2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
So in hindsight Acker was in effect jumping from the frying pan into the fire, but regardless it was a very personal betrayal of his own airline, even more so since Pan Am was Air Florida’s greatest competitor and now Acker would do his best to bury his former company. Acker started at Pan Am on September 1 and one of his first actions was to repeal all the route closures they had made to Florida and go head-to-head with Air Florida.
Picture
The 1981 route network
For a short while things still seemed fine at Air Florida. Whilst the industry as a whole lost $500 million in 1981 it still made a profit of $5.1 million on revenue of $114 million. At the end of 1981 the fleet stood at 3 737-100s, 23 737-200s, 5 727-227s, 4 DC-10s plus a host of commuters operating as Air Florida Commuter airlines. Expansion plans continued apace with new services to Belize and Bermuda (on September 15), Chicago and 4 other Great Lakes cities (November 15) and Boston (December 1).
Unfortunately, Air Florida, now with Eli Timoner back as acting President and Chairman, was entering choppy waters and 1982 would prove to be a disastrous year from which it could never recover. 
Click here for part 2
References
1981. Friedman, T. MAN IN THE NEWS; AT THE CONTROLS OF PAN AM. New York Times
Evanich III, J. Lost schemes: #53 Air Florida 757-2T4 (1981). Airliner Cafe
Davies. R.E.G. Airlines of the Jet Age: A History
The Rise and Fall of Air Florida. Tails through Time
1 Comment
David Fidler
2/4/2019 09:53:01 am

'82 - the year they had the tragic crash in Washington.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I'm Richard Stretton: a fan of classic airliners and airlines who enjoys exploring their history through my collection of die-cast airliners. If you enjoy the site please donate whatever you can to help keep it running:


    RSS Feed



    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    Categories

    All
    2015 Review
    2016 Review
    2017 Review
    Aer Lingus
    Aeroclassics
    Aero Continente
    African Airlines
    Air 2000
    Air America
    Air Aruba
    Airbus A300
    Airbus A310
    Airbus A319
    Airbus A320
    Airbus A321
    Airbus A330
    Airbus A340
    Airbus A350
    Airbus A380
    Air BVI
    Air China
    Air Florida
    Air Gabon
    Air Holland
    Air India
    Airlines Of Africa
    Airlines Of Asia
    Airlines Of Australasia
    Airlines Of C America
    Airlines Of Canada
    Airlines Of China
    Airlines Of Europe
    Airlines Of France
    Airlines Of Mexico
    Airlines Of Middle East
    Airlines Of Russia
    Airlines Of S America
    Airlines Of The UK
    Airlines Of The USA
    Air West
    Air Wisconsin
    Alaska Airlines
    Aloha Airlines
    American Airlines
    America West Airlines
    Ansett
    Antonov AN-124
    Apollo
    ATR-72
    Aurora Models
    Austrian Airlines
    AVIACSA
    BAC One-Eleven
    Big Bird
    Blue Box
    Boeing 707
    Boeing 717
    Boeing 720
    Boeing 727
    Boeing 737
    Boeing 747
    Boeing 757
    Boeing 767
    Boeing 777
    Boeing 787
    Boeing B-377 Stratocruiser
    Braniff International
    Bristol Britannia
    British Aerospace BAE-146
    British Airways
    British European (BEA)
    Canadair C-4 North Star
    Canadian Pacific
    Capital Airlines
    Cathay Pacific
    Central American Airlines
    Chicago & Southern
    China Eastern
    China Southern
    Compass Airlines
    Concorde
    Continental Airlines
    Convair 240
    Convair 440
    Convair 580
    Convair 880
    Convair 990
    Curtiss C-46 Commando
    Dan Air London
    Delta Air Lines
    DH-106 Comet 4
    Douglas DC-3
    Douglas DC-4
    Douglas DC-6
    Douglas DC-7
    Douglas DC-7C
    Douglas DC-8
    Douglas DC-9
    Dragonair
    Dragon Wings
    Eastern Air Lines
    EasyJet
    Egyptair
    Embraer 190
    Embraer ERJ-145
    Emirates
    Eram Air
    Fairchild F-27
    Fairchild FH-227
    Finlantic
    Fokker 50
    Fokker F100
    Fokker F27
    Fokker F28
    Freighters
    Frontier Airlines
    Gemini Jets
    Hainan Airlines
    Handley Page Herald
    Hawaiian Airlines
    Hawaii Express
    Herpa
    HS-748
    HS Trident
    Ilyushin IL-62
    Ilyushin IL-76
    Ilyushin IL-86
    Ilyushin IL-96
    Interflug
    Japan Air System
    JC Wings
    Jet X
    Jet-X
    Kampuchea Airlines
    Kenya Airways
    Laker Airways
    Lan Chile
    Lockheed Constellation
    Lockheed Hercules
    Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
    Lockheed L-188 Electra
    Loganair
    LOT Polish Airlines
    Lufthansa
    Magic Models
    Malev Hungarian Airlines
    Manx Airlines
    MAOF Airlines
    MD-11
    MD-80
    MD-90
    MDD DC-10
    Mexicana
    Minerve
    Mohawk Airlines
    NAMC YS-11
    National Airlines
    NG Models
    Nordair
    Northwest Airlines
    Oasis Hong Kong
    Oceania Airlines
    Ozark Air Lines
    Panagra
    Pan Am
    Panda Models
    Phoenix Models
    Piedmont Airlines
    PLUNA
    Polynesian Airlines
    Qantas
    Republic Airlines
    Royal Jordanian
    Royal Nepal Airlines
    SE-210 Caravelle
    Shorts-360
    Sichuan Airlines
    Skyservice
    South African Airways
    Spantax
    TACA
    Trans European Airways
    Trans World Airlines Twa
    Trans-world-airlines-twa
    Tupolev Tu-104
    Tupolev Tu-134
    Tupolev TU-144
    Tupolev TU-154
    United Airlines
    USAir
    Vickers VC10
    Vickers Viscount
    Western Airlines
    Witty Wings

  • Home
    • About
    • Links
  • My Models
    • The NZ Hangar 2016-2022
    • USA - Trunk Airlines >
      • Pan Am
      • American Airlines
      • Braniff International
      • Continental Airlines
      • Delta Air Lines
      • Eastern Air Lines
      • National Airlines
      • Northeast Airlines
      • Northwest Airlines
      • Trans World Airlines (TWA)
      • United Airlines
      • Western Airlines
    • USA - Local Service >
      • Allegheny / USAir
      • Frontier Airlines
      • Hughes Airwest
      • Mohawk Airlines
      • Piedmont Airlines
      • My Ozark Airlines Fleet
      • Republic Airlines
      • My Texas Int Fleet
    • Global Fleets >
      • Russia
    • My Collection >
      • US Other Fleets >
        • My Alaska Airlines Fleet
        • My Hawaiian / Aloha Fleet
        • My PSA Fleet
        • My Flying Tigers Fleet
        • My World Airways Fleet
      • UK Fleets >
        • My British Airways Fleet
      • Canadian Fleets
  • AV History
    • Airline History Blog
    • Airline Development >
      • CANADA >
        • Canadian Mainline
        • Canadian Charters & LCCs
        • Canadian Regionals
      • CHINA >
        • Part 1: China's Airlines Industry Blossoms 1984-2002
        • Part 2: The Big Six in the 1990s
        • The Big Three
        • Hainan Airlines Group
        • Other Chinese Airlines
      • IRAN
      • MEXICO >
        • 1988-2005: Competition arrives
        • 2005-2014: Low cost in Mexico
        • Mexican Airline Genealogy
        • Mexicana Livery Tails
      • RUSSIA >
        • Aeroflot Group
        • S7 Airlines & AiRUnion
        • Other Russian Airlines
      • SOUTH AFRICA
      • UNITED KINGDOM >
        • BA Genealogy Pt1
        • BA Genealogy Pt2
        • BA Genealogy Pt3
        • BUIA & BUAF Genealogies
        • UK Charter Airlines Pt1
        • UK Charter Airlines Pt2
        • BEA Liveries 1946-1974
        • BOAC Liveries 1939-1974
      • UNITED STATES >
        • Trunk & Local Service Airlines >
          • American / TWA Genealogy
          • Delta / Northwest Genealogy
          • United / Continental Genealogy
          • Braniff / Eastern / US Airways Genealogy
        • Territorial Airlines
        • Intra-State Airlines
        • Supplemental Airlines
        • Deregulation Startups 1
        • Deregulation Startups 2
        • Trunk Airline Livery Changes 1959-1980
    • Liveries >
      • Aeroméxico Liveries
      • American Airlines Liveries
      • British Airways Liveries
      • Continental Airlines Liveries
      • Delta Air Lines Liveries
      • Eastern Air Lines Liveries
      • Landor Liveries
      • National Airlines Liveries
      • Northeast Airlines Liveries
      • Northwest Airlines Liveries
      • Pan Am Liveries
      • Trans World Airlines Liveries
      • United Airlines Liveries
      • Western Airlines Liveries
    • Special Liveries >
      • Air China Specials
    • Airbus A380s >
      • ANA A380s - Flying Honu
      • Korean A380s - Taegeuk
      • Malaysia A380s - Wau Jets
    • Boeing 747 >
      • The Early Years Pt1
      • The Early Years Pt2: Pan Am
    • Real Airport Histories >
      • Albany International
      • Dallas Love Field
      • Rochester International Pt1
      • Rochester International Pt2
      • San Francisco - 1927-1959
      • San Francisco - 1959-1978
      • San Francisco - 1978-2015
      • San Jose International
      • San Jose International Pt2
    • Plane Spotting >
      • Amsterdam (AMS) - Sep 22
      • Frankfurt (FRA) - Oct 2022
    • Aviation Stickers >
      • ATR Stickers
      • A300 Stickers
      • DC-9 Stickers
      • DC-10 Stickers
  • 1:400 SCALE
    • Collecting 1:400 Scale >
      • Who Is The Best?
      • Best Moulds in 400 Scale
    • The History of 1:400 Scale >
      • 1:400 History Pt1: 1996-2000
      • 1:400 History Pt2: 2001-2008
    • 1:400 Brands >
      • Aeroclassics >
        • Generation One History
        • Gen 1 Photo Galleries >
          • BAC One-Eleven
          • Douglas DC-6
          • Douglas DC-9
          • Fairchild FH-227
          • Lockheed L-1049 Super Connie
          • Lockheed L-188 Electra
          • Vickers VC10
          • Vickers Vanguard
          • Vickers Viscount
      • AURORA Models
      • Aviation400 (2007-2012)
      • Big Bird 400 Your Craftsman
      • Black Box Models
      • Blue Box & Magic Models
      • Dragon Wings
      • El Aviador 400
      • Gemini Jets
      • JAL Collection / Jet Hut >
        • The JAL Collection
        • JAL Collection Reviews
        • Jet Hut Boeing 787-9
      • Jet-X >
        • Jet-X: Part 1 2000-2006
        • Jet-X: Part 2 2006-2012
      • MP4 & Airshop Diecast
      • NG Models
      • Seattle Models Co (SMA)
      • Skyjets400
      • Sovereign Models
      • TucanoLine
    • 1:400 Custom Models >
      • DT Custom Models >
        • Tupolev Tu-134s
    • Zinc Rot
  • 1:400 Moulds
    • The Best Moulds >
      • The Best Airbus Moulds Pt1
      • The Best Airbus Moulds Pt2
      • The Best Boeing Moulds Pt1
      • The Best Boeing Moulds Pt2
    • Airbus >
      • Airbus A300
      • Airbus A310
      • Airbus A320 >
        • JC Wings A320 Upgrades
      • Airbus A330-200/300
      • Airbus A330-200F
      • Airbus A330 Beluga XL >
        • A320 Inserts for Beluga XL
      • Airbus A350-900/1000
    • Boeing >
      • Boeing B-377 Stratocruiser
      • Boeing 707-120/138/720
      • Boeing 707-320/420
      • Boeing 717
      • Boeing 727-100
      • Boeing 727-200
      • Boeing 737-100/200
      • Boeing 737-300 >
        • Herpa 737s
      • Boeing 737-400
      • Boeing 737-500
      • Boeing 737-600
      • Boeing 737-700/800/900 >
        • P-8 Poseidon Mould Review
      • Boeing 737 MAX
      • Boeing 747-100/200 >
        • Awful Phoenix 747s
      • Boeing 747SP
      • Boeing 747-8 Interactive
      • Boeing 747LCF Dreamlifter
      • Boeing 757-200 >
        • NG Models 757 Production
      • Boeing 767-200
      • Boeing 767-300
      • Boeing 777-200
      • Boeing 777-300
      • Boeing 787
    • British >
      • Concorde
      • BAC One-Eleven 200-400
      • BAC One-Eleven 500
      • BAE-146 / Avro RJ-85-100
      • De Havilland DH-106 Comet
      • Hawker Siddeley Trident
      • Shorts 360
      • Vickers VC10
      • Vickers Viscount
    • Douglas >
      • Douglas DC-3 / C-47
      • Douglas DC-6
      • Douglas DC-7
      • Douglas DC-7C
      • Douglas DC-8-10-50
      • Douglas DC-8-60s/70s
      • Douglas DC-9-10
      • Douglas DC-9-30
      • Douglas DC-9-41/51
      • McDonnell Douglas DC-10
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-11
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-80
      • McDonnell Douglas MD-90
    • Lockheed >
      • Lockheed Constellation
      • Lockheed Super Connie
      • Lockheed L-1649 Starliner
      • Lockheed L-188 Electra
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 1 / Tristar 200
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 500
    • Other >
      • Convair CV-240-580
      • Convair CV-880/990
      • Curtiss C-46
      • Fairchild F-27 / Fokker F27
      • Fairchild-Hiller FH-227
      • Fokker F28/F70/F100
      • SE 210 Caravelle
    • Chinese >
      • Comac ARJ21
      • Xi'an Y-20
    • Soviet >
      • Antonov An-225
      • Ilyushin IL-62
      • Ilyushin Il-86/Il-96
      • Tupolev TU-104
      • Tupolev TU-154B-2/M
      • Tupolev TU-204
      • Yakovlev Yak-42
  • 1:400 News
    • Model Blog
    • New Mould Samples >
      • Aviation400 >
        • Airbus A320
        • Airbus A330-900NEO
        • Airbus A380 Resin Sample
        • Airbus A380 Metal Sample
        • Airbus A380 Final Sample
        • Boeing 787 Update Mar 21
        • Boeing 787 Update July 21
      • JC Wings >
        • Airbus A310
        • Boeing 747-400
      • NG Models >
        • Airbus A318
        • Airbus A319/320 CEO
        • Airbus A319/320 NEO
        • Airbus A321CEO & NEO
        • Airbus A330-200/300
        • Airbus A330 Beluga XL
        • Airbus A350-900
        • Airbus A350-1000
        • AVIC AG600M - 1:200
        • Boeing 737-600/700/900
        • Boeing 737-600 Refresh
        • Boeing 737-800
        • Boeing 737 MAX-8/MAX-9
        • Boeing B747SP
        • Boeing 747-8I
        • Boeing 747-8F
        • Boeing 777-200
        • Boeing 777-300/300ER
        • Boeing 787-8
        • Comac ARJ21 - 1:200
        • Falcon 7X - 1:200
        • Gulfstream G550 - 1:200
        • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
        • Lockeed Tristar 500
        • Tupolev Tu-154
        • Tupolev Tu-204/Tu-214/Tu-234
    • Retailer Exclusive Releases >
      • Panda Models Exclusives >
        • Panda Exclusives 2015-2021
        • Panda Exclusives 2022
      • JAL DC-8 Twinset
    • FantasyWings GSE >
      • Apron Equipment
      • COBUS 3000 Buses
      • GSE Pax & Cargo Sets
      • Hong Kong Outer Bay Set
      • Hong Kong ATC Tower Set
      • 1:200 GSE Cargo/GPU Sets
      • 1:200 COBUS 3000 Buses
  • 1:400 Reviews
    • Detailed Mould Scoring >
      • Airbus A320ceo & neo
      • Airbus A330 Beluga XL
      • Airbus A330-900neo
      • Airbus A350-900
      • Boeing 737-800
      • Boeing 747SP
      • Boeing 747-400
      • Boeing 777-300ER
      • Boeing 787-9
    • 1:400 Model Reviews
    • Model Airliner.com Reviews
  • 1:600 SCALE
    • Schabak >
      • Schabak History 1982-2006
      • Schabak Non-airline Models
      • Schabak Airline Numbers
      • Schabak Wheel Variants
      • Schabak Window Variants
      • Schabak Decal Cracking
    • Schabak Moulds >
      • Airbus A300
      • Lockheed L-1011 Tristar
      • McDonnell Douglas DC-10
    • Silver Wings
    • Herpa Magic 600 Scale >
      • Herpa Magic History
      • Herpa Magic Mould Photos
    • Imogenia Airport
  • Dioramas
    • Wright Field Airport
    • Xin Long International
    • As Real As It Gets 1:200
    • As Real As It Gets 1:400 >
      • Real As It Gets - Africa
      • Real As It Gets - Asia
      • Real As It Gets - China
      • Real As It Gets - Europe
      • Real As It Gets - Middle East
      • Real As It Gets - N America
      • Real As It Gets - Oceania
      • Real As It Gets - Russia
      • Real As It Gets - S America