Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

 

McDonnell Douglas DC-8F (Line #427) was constructed as DC-8-62CF delivered to Finnair in January 1969 under registration OH-LFR (re-registered as OH-LFT in April 1969).

 

It seems that its original configuration of 16F/124Y was for passenger service with windows visible on the full fuselage. However, it came equipped with a cargo door behind the forward passenger door so it may have always been intended for a mix of passenger and cargo service. We have not been able to confirm how it was used by Finnair during its time there.

 

It remained with Finnair until November 1981 when it was acquired by Armée de l'Air (French Air Force) where it was re-engined with CFM56s, becoming a DC-8-72CF. It was withdrawn from service in November 2004.

 

It was acquired by Air Transport International in June 2005 where it was converted to its current configuration of cargo with 32 passenger seats at the back of the aircraft. It went through several periods of storage until finally acquired by Samaritan's Purse in March 2015 and re-registered as N782SP in June 1015.  

 

I am assuming that this photo was taken at delivery and acceptance by Finnair in January 1969. 

 

Note the original registration 'OH-LFR' clearly visible.  

 

Photo by Erkki Ehanti.

OH-LFT - Original Finnair livery

with Pratt & Whitney JT-3D engines
(cargo door visible on full size photo)

at JFK - July 1970

 

Photo by Ken Fielding

F-RAFG - Armée de l'Air

at CDG - September 2004

 

Photo by Aero Icarus

N721CX -  Air Transport International (ATI)

Reduced passenger cabin shows with the five windows at the back

Location not specified - June 2008

 

Photo by DLBerek

N782SP - Samaritan's Purse

at Birmingham, England - November 2019

 

Photo by Ryan Kirk