The stretch DC-8 super 61/63s were the first ‘Jumbo Jets’, indeed Flying Tigers even had that title painted on theirs, and provided not only a second life for the DC-8 itself, but a useful stopgap for airlines looking to increase capacity before widebodies were available. The 1960s saw massive passenger growth across the US system and the super 61 and 63 were ideal since they could seat over 250 passengers, compared to less than 190 in a DC-8-50. Of the major US trunk airlines United, Eastern, Delta and National Airlines would all take advantage of the stretch Eight.
At the end of 1968 National retired its last Lockheed Electras and became an all pure-jet airline. In January 1968 the fleet stood at 13 727-35s, 3 727-235s, 3 DC-8-21s, 4 DC-8-32s and 6 DC-8-51s. Boeing 727-235 deliveries would continue apace that year with 22 more arriving during 1968, plus 3 more leased from TWA soon after.
These two aircraft would be registered N45090 and N45091 and arrive 8 months apart from August 1967-April 1968. During that time National would radically change its image as it introduced the Instant Florida livery, commonly referred to as the Sun King or Sunburst scheme.
The second DC-8-61 was delivered in bare metal and repainted into the Sun King prior to entering service. At this point none of the aircraft wore names as the infamous ‘Fly Me’ campaign didn’t begin until October 1971. Once it did N45091 would be named ‘Christine’ and N45090 would become ‘Catherine’.
The DC-8-61 was still in strong demand during the 1970s, especially with US supplemental carriers that appreciated its capacity for their passenger and freight charters. Both of National’s would join Capitol International and see very varied and long careers, lasting until the year 2000.
