Aeroclassics Air New Zealand DC-10-30

As I've continued my foray into the classic world of 1/400, I've decided to take a look at the brand new Aeroclassics product, an 70's version of the DC-10-30, ZK-NZR. Poured into creation on the famed AC DC-10 mould at the end of 2018, this tri-engined jet did not disappoint. Air New Zealand took delivery of several DC-10s following the merger of two state sponsored airlines Union Airlines and Teal (Tasman Empire Airways Limited). As air travel in the 70s began to increase, so did the need for larger aircraft. The new DC-10s were used to phase out older smaller aircraft like the DC-8. 

Many people don't know that these DC-10s were often used on sight seeing tours of the Antarctic. Infamously, flight 901 crashed into the side of Mt. Erebus. Following this accident and the crash of AA flight 191 the FAA withdrew the aircraft's type certificate and the planes were mostly grounded. There's so much more to the story of these DC-10s which helped bring Air New Zealand into the major world markets setting up to be a global competitor today.

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