Serial No. 1 "Prototype"

Prototype DC-8 first flew as DC-8-11 N8008D in 1958. Converted to a DC-8-51 and first flew as such in 1960. To Trans International Airlines in 1962, Canadian Pacific Air Lines as CF-CPN in 1966, Delta Air Lines as N8008D in 1967 and Aeromexico as XA-DOE in 1979. Stored at Marana, AZ in 1982. Reregistered as N8008D in 1987 but not applied. Scrapped in 2001.

Photographer: Al Rodriguez. K25 slide scan. Built 1958 as N8008D DC-8-10 prototype. Converted to DC-8-50 1960 and delivered to National 1961. TIA 1962, leased to Lufthansa May 1965 to October 1966. Canadian Pacific CF-CPN October 1966, Delta N800D 1967, Aeromexico XA-DOE 1979, withdrawn Marana 1982. Parted out and finally scrapped 2001.

Prototype DC-8 first flew as DC-8-11 N8008D in 1958. Converted to a DC-8-51 and first flew as such in 1960. To Trans International Airlines in 1962, Canadian Pacific Air Lines as CF-CPN in 1966, Delta Air Lines as N8008D in 1967 and Aeromexico as XA-DOE in 1979. Stored at Marana, AZ in 1982. Reregistered as N8008D in 1987 but not applied. Scrapped in 2001.

DC-8 prototype converted to a DC-8-11 in 1960

The DC-8 prototype, first flown on 30 May 1958. Predominantly C-124 Globemasters and C-133 Cargomasters in the background.

The very first DC-8 pictured with it's last operator. First flight on May 30 1958, Douglas continually upgraded the aircraft during testing. It was the first DC-8-50 series aircraft when re-engined with P & W JT-3C turbo-fan engines in 1960. Since it was built on production tooling, the airliner was able to be sold to Trans International Airlines in 1962. Chartered by Lufthansa and leased to Canadian Pacific Airlines before it was sold to Delta Airlines in 1967. Leased by AeroMexico 1979 - 82, the aircraft was finally parked in Marana, AZ. It was slowly stripped of parts and later broken up.

Scrapped

The first DC-8

N8008D c.1965 on lease to Lufthansa

Despite its historical significance as the very first jet airliner built by Douglas, "Ship One" was broken up at Marana in 2001.

The first DC-8 built, seen here as "Quintana Roo". Other regns include N8008D and CF-CPN

The prototype DC-8 which first flew in Series 11 form on 30 May 1958. Converted to Series 51 first flying on 20 December 1960. Operated by TIA from June 1962 until sale to Delta in October 1967.

The very first DC-8 built starting engines on a cold winter morning. Later to XA-DOE and broken up at Marana in 1993

Although I took this photograph over 40 years ago (as at 2020) I have only recently realised that this was actually the prototype DC8. Sadly this historically important aircraft was broken up at Marana in 1993