Aircraft Fleet History and Status
Revised: 10/02/07 Home  |  ABX Air Home  | 


Midwest Air Charter / Charter Express / Airborne Express / ABX Air Historical Fleet Facts

To learn more about a particular aircraft, "CLICK" on the underlined aircraft name. Yellow Fields indicate that the aircraft are no longer present in the ABX Air Fleet. Blue fields indicate parked or sold aircraft. Retirement dates indicate that the aircraft was transferred to another operator. Aircraft "written off" (WO) were disposed of as salvage and indicated by a Yellow Field. 
Midwest Express (Pre-Airborne Express / ABX Air)

Convair

Series

Serial/line No.

SELCAL No.

Orig Delivery

Prev Regist

In Service

Retired

Comments

N128AJ

600

168

n/a

 unknown

N74857

Dec-77

Jun-80

Cvtd 240-25

N129AJ

600

170

n/a

 unknown

N74856

Dec-77

Jun-80

Cvtd 240-25

Cessna Citation

Series

Serial/line No.

SELCAL No.

Orig Delivery

Prev Regist

In Service

Retired

Comments

N186MW

500

500-0186

n/a

 unknown

N186CC

unknown

Jun-80

N187MW

500

500-0187

n/a

 unknown

N187CC

unknown

Jun-80

N200MW

500

500-0200

n/a

 unknown

N520CC

unknown

Jun-80

N202MW

500

500-0202

n/a

 unknown

N202CC

unknown

Jun-80

N209MW

500

500-0209

n/a

 unknown

N209CC

unknown

Jun-80

N501PC

500

500-0005

n/a

 unknown

N505CC

unknown

Jun-80

LearJet

Series

Serial/line No.

SELCAL No.

Orig Delivery

Prev Regist

In Service

Retired

Comments

N11QM

23

23-091

n/a

 unknown

N430JA

unknown

Jun-80

 

N24MW

24

24-043

n/a

 unknown

N368MJ

unknown

Jun-80

 

N48MW

23

23-048

n/a

 unknown

N805LJ

unknown

Jun-80

 

N74MW

23

23-074

n/a

 unknown

5A-DAC

unknown

Jun-80

 

HFB Hansa Jet

Series

Serial/line No.

SELCAL No.

Orig Delivery

Prev Regist

In Service

Retired

Comments

N127MW

HFB

1027

n/a

 unknown unknown unknown

Jun-80

 

N130MW

HFB

1033

n/a

 unknown

D-CERI

unknown

Jun-80

 

N132MW

HFB

1032

n/a

 unknown

D-CERE

unknown

Jun-80

 

N136MW

HFB

1036

n/a

 unknown

N2MK

unknown

Jun-80

 

Charter Express / Early Airborne Express (MW)

SUD Caravelle

Series

Serial/line No.

SELCAL No.

Orig Delivery

Prev Regist

In Service

Retired

Comments

N901MW

IVR

62/59

n/a

 unknown

PP-CJC

Jun-79

Jun-80

 

N902MW

IVR

88/79

n/a

 unknown

OY-SAH

Nov-78

Jun-80

BDL Museum

N903MW

IVR

89/80

n/a

 unknown

OY-SAL

May-78

Jun-80

 

N904MW

IVR

93/88

n/a

 unknown

OY-SBW

Nov-78

Jun-80

 

N905MW

IVR

95/91

n/a

 unknown

OY-SAM

May-78

Jun-80

 

N907MW

IVR

129/132

n/a

 unknown

PP-CJA

Aug-79

Jun-80

 

Airborne Express (AX)

Cessna 402

N99AX

 402 0051

 

 1967 N945AX

 

Sold Jun-94

 

NAMC YS-11A

Series

Serial/line No.

SELCAL No.

Orig Delivery

Prev Regist

In Service

Retired

Comments

N156P

205

2050

n/a

 12/22/67

JA8686

01/09/81

Oct-97

RR N911AX

N158P

205

2051

n/a

 12/00/67

JA8687

10/14/81

Oct-97

RR N911AX

N162P

205

2052

n/a

 12/27/67

JA8688

01/04/80

Oct-97

RR N912AX

N164P

205

2053

n/a

 01/22/68

JA8689

10/11/79

Oct-97

RR N913AX

N169P

205

2056

n/a

 06/00/68

JA8690

08/20/81

Oct-97

RR N914AX

N189P

205

2062

n/a

 03/21/68

JA8695

05/12/80

Oct-97

RR N915AX

N214P

205

2075

n/a

 11/20/68

JA8718

 

Aug-93

RR N916AX

N218P

205

2077

n/a

 12/07/68

JA8721

04/10/80

Oct-97

RR N917AX

N224P

205

2112

n/a

 08/04/69

JA8741

01/27/81

Jun-95

RR N918AX

N245P

205

2113

n/a

 10/07/69

JA8742

12/04/80

Oct-97

RR N919AX

N247P

205

2114

n/a

 10/31/69

JA8745

03/10/81

Oct-97

RR N920AX

N254P

205

2117

n/a

 11/03/69

JA8746

10/22/80

Oct-97

RR N921AX

N268P

205

2120

n/a

 12/02/69

JA8749

11/28/79

Oct-97

RR N922AX

N902TC

125

2042

n/a

 unknown

N112PH

 

MX spare - retired 05/18/90

N903TC

125

2044

n/a

 unknown

N113PH

 

MX spare - retired 05/18/90

Douglas DC9 Series Aircraft

Douglas DC-9-10

Series

Serial/line No.

SELCAL No.

Orig Delivery

Prev Regist

In Service

Retired

Comments

N925AX

14 PAX

45728/14

BE-DQ

08/03/67

I-TIGA

03/17/84

WO Mar 07

cvtd DC-9-11

N926AX

15 PAX

47002/105

unknown

06/10/67

I-TIGB

07/01/83

Feb-85

WO PHL

N927AX

15 PAX

45717/20

BE-FQ

02/09/66

I-TIGE

12/09/83

WO Dec 06

Douglas DC-9-30

Series

Serial/line No.

SELCAL No.

Orig Delivery

Prev Regist

In Service

Retired

Comments

N900AX

32 PAX

47380/514

BD-FQ

06/18/69

N1284L

01/17/81

Parked

ABX Air Livery

N901AX

32 PAX

47381/519

BD-GQ

07/07/69

N1285L

02/12/81

WO Dec 06

 

N902AX

32 PAX

47426/572

BD-HQ

01/29/70

N1286L

01/22/81

WO Nov 06

 

N903AX

32 PAX

47427/573

BD-JQ

02/04/70

N1287L

03/11/81

WO Nov 08

N904AX

32F (CF)

47040/172

BD-KQ

10/02/67

N931F

08/10/81

Parked

N905AX

32F (CF)

47147/208

BD-LQ

10/29/67

N933F

06/17/81

Parked

N906AX

31 PAX

47072/270

BD-MQ

02/25/68

VH-TJM

06/02/82

WO Nov 08

N907AX

31 PAX

47203/401

BD-PQ

10/11/68

VH-TJN

08/02/82

WO Dec 08

N908AX

31 PAX

47008/98

BE-AQ

04/11/67

VH-TJK

02/18/83

WO Nov 07

N909AX

32F (CF)

47148/246

BE-CQ

01/16/68

N934F

02/15/85

WO Nov 08

N923AX

31 PAX

47165/260

AK-DS

01/19/68

N8942E

02/25/92

WO Sep 06

 

N924AX

31 PAX

47403/507

AK-ER

05/13/69

N8987E

01/27/92

WO Nov 08

N928AX

32 PAX

47392/447

BE-GQ

01/15/69

N393PA

09/05/85

WO Nov 08

N929AX

31 PAX

45874/351

AK-ES

07/12/68

N965ML

05/14/92

WO Nov 08

N930AX

33F (RC)

47363/445

BE-HQ

01/13/69

N502MD

08/09/84

Parked

N931AX

33F

47384/543

BE-JQ

09/29/69

HB-IFW

06/18/84

WO Nov 04

 

N932AX

33F (CF)

47465/584

BE-KQ

03/24/70

HB-IDN

03/08/85

Parked

N933AX

33F (CF)

47291/343

BE-LQ

07/01/68

N94454

07/30/85

Parked

N934AX

33F (RC)

47462/564

BE-MQ

02/23/69

N32UA

05/09/87

Parked

N935AX

33F

47413/521

BD-EQ

07/14/69

N939F

08/20/90

Parked

N936AX

31 PAX

47269/371

AK-FR

08/17/68

N970ML

03/06/96

WO Nov 06

 

N937AX

31 PAX

47074/376

AK-FS

08/28/68

N973ML

06/13/96

WO Dec 08

N938AX

31 PAX

47009/152

BE-PQ

08/20/67

VH-TJL

01/08/87

WO Nov 06

 

N939AX

32 PAX

47201/459

BF-AQ

02/05/69

EC-ECU

05/22/89

WO Dec 08

N941AX

31 PAX

47419/602

BF-CQ

08/07/70

VH-TJQ

11/20/89

WO Nov 07

N942AX

31 PAX

47552/640

BF-DQ

10/14/71

VH-TJU

02/26/90

WO Nov 06

 

N943AX

31 PAX

47528/617

BF-EQ

02/05/71

VH-TJR

12/11/89

WO Nov 08

N944AX

31 PAX

47550/623

BF-GQ

04/01/71

VH-TJS

12/27/89

Parked

N945AX

31 PAX

47551/634

BF-HQ

07/27/71

VH-TJT

05/15/90

WO Nov 06

Grissom ARB

N946AX

31 PAX

47003/86

EP-BG

03/17/67

N535MD

10/25/90

Parked

N947AX

31 PAX

47004/81

EP-BH

04/11/67

N537MD

03/15/91

Parked

N948AX

31 PAX

47065/269

EP-BJ

03/08/68

N534MD

01/29/91

WO Nov 06

 

N949AX

31 PAX

47325/515

EP-BK

07/10/69

N540MD

12/01/90

WO Dec 08

N980AX

32 PAX

47176/314

AJ-PR

04/24/68

N3335L

10/30/91

Parked

N981AX

32 PAX

47143/347

AJ-PS

06/24/68

N3337L

11/14/91

WO Dec 08

N982AX

32 PAX

47317/385

AJ-QR

08/30/68

N1261L

04/15/91

WO Nov 07

N983AX

32 PAX

47257/386

AJ-QS

09/03/68

N1262L

06/01/91

Parked

N984AX

32 PAX

47258/387

AJ-RS

09/04/68

N1263L

07/05/91

WO Dec 08

N985AX

32 PAX

47522/606

AK-BR

09/08/70

EC-BYD

04/15/94

WO Feb 09

N986AX

32 PAX

47543/654

AJ-BS

02/15/72

EC-BYG

07/26/94

Parked

N987AX

32 PAX

47364/484

AK-CR

04/02/69

EC-BPF

11/23/94

WO Nov 06

 

N988AX

32 PAX

47084/179

AK-CS

10/10/67

EC-BIL

02/20/95

Parked

N989AX

32 PAX

47314/279

AK-DR

03/07/68

EC-BIU

12/02/95

Sold Nov 07

Douglas DC-9-40

Series

Serial/line No.

SELCAL No.

Orig Delivery

Prev Regist

In Service

Retired

Comments

N951AX

41 PAX

47616/759

EP-BL

12/05/74

JA8433

07/06/90

WO Dec 08

N952AX

41 PAX

47615/751

EP-BM

10/04/74

JA8432

08/05/91

Parked

N953AX

41 PAX

47608/732

EP-CD

05/21/74

JA8427

10/12/93

WO Feb 09

N954AX

41 PAX

47612/736

EP-CF

06/19/74

JA8428

11/05/93

Parked

N955AX

41 PAX

47619/768

EP-CG

02/12/75

JA8436

06/04/92

Parked

N956AX

41 PAX

47620/777

EP-CH

05/30/75

JA8437

10/22/92

Parked

N957AX

41 PAX

47759/871

EP-CJ

12/02/77

JA8439

12/21/93

Parked

N958AX

41 PAX

47760/874

EP-CK

01/13/78

JA8440

09/18/96

Parked

N959AX

41 PAX

47761/875

EP-CL

02/01/78

JA8441

02/26/98

Parked

N960AX

41 PAX

47762/876

EP-CM

03/16/78

JA8442

05/28/97

Parked

N962AX

41 PAX

47768/887

EP-DG

09/20/78

JA8449

08/19/97

Parked

N963AX

41 PAX

47780/894

EP-DH

12/11/78

JA8450

10/21/97

Parked

N964AX

41 PAX

47781/895

EP-DJ

12/18/78

JA8451

11/26/96

Parked

N965AX

41 PAX

47498/566

EP-DK

12/11/69

SE-DAL

11/27/91

Parked

N966AX

41 PAX

47510/645

AJ-FP

09/20/71

OY-KGK

03/02/92

Parked

N967AX

41 PAX

47509/643

AJ-FR

10/11/71

SE-DAO

08/28/92

Parked

N968AX

41 PAX

47499/568

AJ-FS

02/10/70

SE-DAM

12/16/92

Parked

N969AX

41 PAX

47464/575

AJ-GR

07/10/70

SE-DAN

05/06/93

Parked

N970AX

41 PAX

47494/601

AJ-GS

07/20/70

OY-KGI

03/04/93

WO Feb 09

N971AX

41 PAX

47497/604

AJ-HR

08/19/70

LN-RLB

07/09/93

WO Dec 08

N972AX

41 PAX

47631/743

AJ-HS

08/07/74

SE-DAX

03/06/01

WO Feb 09

N973AX

41 PAX

47511/677

AJ-KR

10/09/72

LN-RLU

08/24/93

Parked

N974AX

41 PAX

47623/728

AJ-KS

04/25/74

LN-RLS

07/07/99

Parked

N975AX

41 PAX

47512/678

AJ-LR

10/19/72

SE-DAP

02/13/94

Parked

N976AX

41 PAX

47596/714

AJ-LS

12/11/73

SE-DAR

07/28/99

Parked

N977AX

41 PAX

47513/679

AJ-MR

11/01/72

LN-RLX

07/10/96

Parked

N978AX

41 PAX

47628/740

AJ-MS

08/07/74

OY-KGN

12/08/98

WO Feb 09

N979AX

41 PAX

47492/559

AK-JS

11/14/69

SE-DAK

08/03/95

Parked

N990AX

41 PAX

47493/562

AK-LR

11/25/69

SE-DLC

05/10/95

Parked


Douglas DC8 Series Aircraft

Douglas DC-8-53

N903R

 53 45647 N/A 03/14/62 JA8007 N/A N/A MX Spare/ ex ONA pax

Douglas DC-8-62

Series

Serial/line No.

SELCAL No.

Orig Delivery

Prev Regist

In Service

Retired

Comments

N801AX

62

46077/470

AM-EJ

07/05/69

N923R

04/18/86

WO Dec 01

 

N802AX

62

46134/513

AM-EK

04/07/70

N924CL

07/01/86

WO Dec 01

 

N803AX

62

45917/332

AM-EL

02/23/68

N4761G

09/25/86

WO Dec 01

 

N804AX

62

45987/366

AM-FG

06/14/68

OH-LFZ

07/22/87

WO Dec 01

 

N805AX

62

45906/300

AM-FH

08/23/67

N762UA

04/04/87

WO Dec 01

 

N808AX

62

45954/362

AM-FL

05/18/68

5N-AON

09/15/87

WO Dec 01

 

Douglas DC-8-63

Series

Serial/line No.

SELCAL No.

Orig Delivery

Prev Regist

In Service

Retired

Comments

N811AX

63 (F)

46113/521

CE-DF

03/12/70

N818EV

03/23/90

Sold Dec 06

 

N812AX

63 (F)

46126/524

CE-DK

04/01/70

N819EV

08/20/90

Sold Dec 07

N813AX

63

46136/509

CE-DL

01/10/70

N795AL

11/05/92

WO Nov 06

 

N814AX

63F (PF)

46041/439

CE-FM

12/08/69

N792AL

08/05/91

Sold Mar 07

Parked CVG

N815AX

63F (PF)

46097/503

CE-JL

12/14/69

N793AL

03/31/93

Sold Dec 06

 

N816AX

63F (PF)

46093/496

BK-AG

11/06/69

N790AL

10/22/90

Sold Oct 07

N817AX

63

45928/334

BK-CG

12/17/67

N780AL

01/24/92

WO Nov 06

 

N818AX

63

45929/484

BK-DE

05/20/68

N782AL

11/04/93

 WO Nov 03

 

N819AX

63 

45927/327

BK-EH

11/15/67

N783AL

06/09/95

Sold Mar 07

Parked CVG

N820AX

63

46155/529

DM-CE

04/10/70

C-GQBA

07/08/92

WO Nov 06

 

N821AX

63

46116/518

DM-CF

01/16/70

C-GQBF

08/17/92

WO Oct 03

 

N822AX

63

46079/476

DM-CH

07/01/69

N4934Z

11/09/94

WO Oct 03

 

N823AX

63

46122/506

DM-JL

12/01/69

5Y-ZEB

01/01/94

WO Oct 03

 

N824AX

63

46141/533

EF-DJ

06/02/70

HB-IBF

01/01/94

WO Oct 03

 

N825AX

63

46115/530

BK-FG

05/23/70

ZP-CCH

09/18/95

WO Nov 06

 

N826AX

63 (F) (CF)

46061/480

AM-CF

08/31/69

N952R

11/22/95

Sold Nov 07

N827AX

63 (F)

45091/293

unknown

07/15/67

N929R

 

WO Dec 96

Narrows, VA

N828AX

63 (F)

45999/377

EL-DK

07/01/68

N788AL

11/23/97

Parked

Parked CVG

Douglas DC-8-61

Series

Serial/line No.

SELCAL No.

Orig Delivery

Prev Regist

In Service

Retired

Comments

N841AX

61

45908/296

AM-GH

08/11/67

EC-EAM

06/06/88

WO Dec 00

 

N842AX

61

46015/405

AM-GL

11/01/68

66RD

07/12/88

WO Aug 06

61-LD

N843AX

61

46017/418

AM-FK

12/17/68

N764RD

11/02/88

WO Jun 03

61-LD

N844AX

61

45848/285

AM-GJ

02/23/67

JA8050

12/06/89

WO Dec 00

 

N845AX

61

46157/541

AM-GK

12/04/70

JA8045

03/03/89

WO Apr 01

QTV mod

N846AX

61

46158/543

AM-HL

01/20/71

JA8046

09/30/88

WO Dec 00

 

N847AX

61

46031/435

AM-FJ

01/25/69

N28UA

06/06/88

WO Jun 07

61-LD

N848AX

61

46032/436

AM-HJ

01/29/69

C-GEMV

07/14/93

WO Jan 07

61-LD

N849AX

61

45981/352

AM-HK

10/04/67

N21UA

05/10/95

WO May 03

61-LD

N850AX

61

45894/297

AM-JK

08/06/67

N915CL

06/28/90

WO Apr 01

QTV mod

N851AX

61

45940/314

AM-KL

12/08/67

N8075U

04/15/90

WO Dec 00

 

N852AX

61

46016/409

EK-CL

11/15/68

TC-MAB

07/08/96

WO Nov 02

61-LD

N853AX

61 (F)

46037/419

EK-DF

11/22/68

ZP-CCR

12/02/96

WO Aug 06

61-LD

N903E

53

45647/168

unknown

03/27/62

JA8007

04/01/86

Bought as MX spare

Boeing B767-200 Series Aircraft

Boeing 767-200

Series

Serial/line No.

SELCAL No.

Orig Delivery

Prev Regist

In Service

Retired

Comments

N702AX

231PC

22566/29

AH-BG

01/13/83

N603TW

11/16/00

 

JT9D / DHL

N707AX

231PC

22570/63

AH-BL

07/16/83

N607TW

08/03/00

 

JT9D / DHL

N708AX

231PC

22571/64

AH-BM

09/28/83

N608TW

07/01/00

 

JT9D / DHL

N709AX

231PC

22572/65

AH-BD

09/07/83

N609TW

05/11/00

 

JT9D / DHL

N712AX

2J6SF

23307

(E) 04/16/08

 Sold Nov 08

JT9D / ABX

N713AX

205PC

23058/101

09/24/84

N651TW

06/23/01

 

JT9D / DHL

N714AX

223SF

 

(E) 01/10/08

 Sold Nov 08

CF-6 / ABX

N739AX

232SF

22216/26

 

12/15/82

N104DA

03/26/06

 

CF-6 / ABX

N740AX

232SF

22213/6

03/25/82

N101DA

 07/08/06

CF-6 / ABX

N741AX

232SF

22215/17

10/29/82

N103DA

 (E)10/13/07

CF-6 / ABX

N742AX

232SF

22217/27

01/19/82

N105DA

 11/17/06

CF-6 / ABX

N743AX

232SF

22218/31

12/08/82

N106DA

 (E)11/29/07

CF-6 / ABX

N744AX

232SF

22221/53

05/10/83

N109DL

 08/23/06

CF-6 / ABX

N745AX

232SF

22222/56

06/04/83

N110DL

 01/02/07

CF-6 / ABX

N746AX

232SF

22223/74

11/14/83

N111DL

 02/18/07

CF-6 / ABX

N747AX

232SF

22224/76

12/08/83

N112DL

 06/17/07

CF-6 / ABX

N748AX

232SF

22225/77

12/14/83

N113DL

 (E)04/08/07

 ATI

CF-6 

N749AX

232SF

22226/78

01/25/84

N114DL

 (E)10/17/07

CF-6 / ABX

N750AX

232SF

22227/83

02/28/84

N115DL

 (E)03/17/07

CF-6 / ABX

N752AX

281SF

23434/171

04/15/87

JA8255

05/11/05

CF-6 / DHL

N767AX

281PC

22785/51

AK-HR

04/01/83

JA8479

10/13/98

CF-6 / DHL

N768AX

281PC

22786/54

AK-HS

05/01/83

JA8480

11/17/98

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N769AX

281PC

22787/58

BC-JM

06/14/83

JA8481

12/22/98

CF-6 / DHL

N773AX

281PC

22788/61

DJ-HM

07/01/83

JA8482

03/04/99

CF-6 / DHL

N774AX

281PC

22789/67

EF-JM

09/01/83

JA8483

04/13/99

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N775AX

281PC

22790/69

EK-CL

10/01/83

JA8484

05/29/99

CF-6 / DHL

N783AX

281PC

23016/80

EK-DF

01/01/84

JA8485

08/03/99

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N784AX

281PC

23017/82

EL-DM

03/01/84

JA8486

11/15/99

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N785AX

281PC

23018/84

EL-GK

04/01/84

JA8487

04/10/00

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N786AX

281PC

23019/85

EL-GM

05/01/84

JA8488

07/07/00

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N787AX

281PC

23020/96

EL-HJ

07/01/84

JA8489

08/20/00

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N788AX

281PC

23021/103

EP-DF

10/22/84

JA8490

11/26/00

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N789AX

281PC

23022/104

AH-CE

10/23/84

JA8491

12/12/00

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N790AX

281PC

23140/106

AH-CG

11/27/84

JA8238

03/21/01

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N791AX

281PC

23141/108

AH-DK

02/12/85

JA8239

12/05/01

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N792AX

281SF

23142/110

03/21/86

JA8240

03/12/05

CF-6 / ABX

N793AX

281PC

23143/114

04/25/85

JA8241

08/12/02

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N794AX

281PC

23144/115

05/22/85

JA8242

11/24/02

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N795AX

281PC

23145/116

08/02/85

JA8243

02/25/03

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N796AX

281PC

23146/121

07/22/85

JA8244

07/08/03

CF-6 / ABX(G)

N797AX

281SF

23147/123

10/30/85

JA8245

08/17/04

CF-6 / ABX

N798AX

281SF

23431/143

06/04/87

JA8251

11/22/05

CF-6 / DHL

N799AX

281SF

23432/145

07/08/86

JA8252

12/10/04

 WO Nov 08

CF-6 / DHL

 TABLE CODES:  

 PC - Pax Conversion
 SF - Special Freighter

 Paint Codes:  

 ABX -      White Livery  
 ABX(G) - Classic Airborne Express Livery
 DHL -      DHL Livery (Yellow/Red)

 Special Notes: N751AX was w/o due to a training accident prior to official purchase

 

 




Fun Fleet Facts



Boeing 767, charity win the day when strongman fails to pull
By Scott Fontaine, Tacoma News Tribune, Sunday July 27, 2008

Mark Kirsch paced the concrete expanses adjacent to the runways at Seattle’s Boeing Field. Every few feet, he leaned over and placed a level on the ground. The Tacoma resident and owner of World Strongman Entertainment was trying to find the perfect patch of ground – a mix of hard asphalt and a favorable slope – to set a world record and complete the centerpiece event of a fundraiser Saturday for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound.

Three times he tried to pull a 200,000-pound Boeing 767. Two times, the jet didn’t move. A third time, it didn’t get very far – maybe 15 feet – and only after others pushed on the plane’s wheels. But he wasn’t going to give up. "It’s frustrating," he said after his third attempt. "It’s really frustrating. I wanted to put on a show for everyone here." The hundreds in attendance at the charity’s largest community event of the year didn’t seem to mind. They cheered Kirsch, a 1998 graduate of Wilson High School, during his attempts. And after his three tries, he turned the fun over to them.

Twelve teams, most with about 10 to 15 people, took turns pulling on a tow rope attached to the jet. Each attempt followed the same form: The participants looked as if they weren’t making any progress for the first few seconds. Slowly, the jet began rolling. Once it did, the task became markedly easier. "I was actually surprised how easy it was once we got that thing moving," said Puyallup’s Jeff Ernst. The goal was to raise $100,000, according to Pam Shields, the director of marketing for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound. Fundraising figures weren’t available Saturday afternoon.

The plane pull was the centerpiece event of the festivities. Families meandered among the planes, helicopters and heavy vehicles on display. Children played hopscotch and ate ice cream. And, as visibly disappointed as Kirsch was, he stopped to admire the first team up: 24 people from Milton-based Cannon Construction Inc. "That’s like a 6,000-pound man pulling that thing," he said. Kirsch pulled the 767 during practice earlier in the week, but he chalked up Saturday’s attempt to a lack of careful preparation. He should have realized – "and it was in the back of my mind the whole time," he said – that the jet sat atop concrete near ABX Air’s hangar. For the festivities, it was parked atop softer asphalt near the main Boeing Field terminal. The plane’s wheel sank slightly into the warm blacktop, and Kirsch said that was the biggest difference.

He also spent too much time and energy helping to set up the event, he said. But it would be tough to question his desire after his first attempt. Amid cheers from hundreds lined up against a temporary wooden fence, Kirsch attached the tow rope to the back of his harness and began trying to pull the jet with the help of a rope secured to a motorized cart several hundred feet in front. After about 10 seconds of trying, the harness broke. Kirsch tried a few more times after each team had a chance to pull the plane. They moved it nearer to the runway and onto a harder surface, but Kirsch – visibly tired at this point – couldn’t make it budge. Still, it was anything but a letdown for many participants, most of whom will likely never again find themselves pulling a jet. "Once the plane got rolling, I didn’t want it to stop," said 27-year-old Tacoma resident Doug Baxter. "I just wanted to pull this thing all the way to Sea-Tac."


  Airborne Express Douglas DC-8's in previous KLM service


Captain Peter ten Duis is a retired KLM Captain who was gracious enough to supply historical background to our DC-8 and DC-9 fleet when it was used in KLM service. I hope you will find his research as interesting as I did. Thank You very much Peter for your interest and hard work.

In 2005 we had the pleasure of having Capt. ten Duis visit us in ILN and he once again flew the mighty DC-8 (albeit the 62 Series simulator) and did a fine job of landing it with nary a bump, and that after several years of retirement. 

To whom it may concern:

First, I would like to congratulate you on your site, it is very friendly towards those interested in knowing more about your company. I would like to communicate a little on your DC-8's and DC-9's, having flown quite a few of your aircraft myself, as FO on both types, and later as Captain on the DC-9's. As you probably are aware, a fair amount of your aircraft started "their life" as KLM aircraft. Here are a few I remember.

Peter

N827AX cn45901/sn293 Delivered to KLM on 15 July 1967, named Christophorus Columbus, after having been the 2nd prototype DC-8-63, carrying registration N1504U with Douglas. Sold in June 1984 to Air World Affairs, then registered to ATASCO Leasing Inc. on 12 June 1984 as N929R. On 13 June 1984 leased to Capitol Air, returned to ATASCO on 20 October 1984. The same day leased to National Airlines till December 1985. In January 1986 leased to Emery Worldwide and converted to DC 8-63F in September 1986. Aerolease Financial Group bought her on June 15 1988, with continuation of the lease to Emery till 31 May 1996. Airborne Express then bought her on 17 June 1996. The registration N827AX was applied in Nov 1996. She was tragically lost with her crew on the 22nd of Dec; very sad indeed.

 

PH-DEB "Christophorus Columbus".



N929R Capital Airlines at Rhein Main AB 1984



N929R National Airlines (Overseas National Airways) 1985

N828AX cn45999/sn377 Delivered to KLM on 21 July 1968 as PH-DEC, named Marco Polo. On 9 March 1984 sold to the Daedalus Corporation as TF-FLU, for lease to Icelandair on the 13th of March 1984. Icelandair bought her on 5 Nov. 1984 naming her Austurfari. Electra Aviation was her next owner, on 18 January 1989, but the lease to Icelandair continued. In March 1989 she was returned to Electra Aviation and became N820TC and was leased to Trans Continental Airlines on 10 May 1989. She returned to Electra Aviation in Dec 1990 and became N863E and was converted to DC 8-63F in April 1991. On July 1 1991 she was leased by Southern World Airlines, till Oct. 3 1991. On Nov 1 1991 she was leased to American International Airways. On 17 July 1992 ownership changed to the Aerolease Financial Group, but the AIA continued leasing her and she became N787AL in August 1992. On 1 Oct 1992 the lease by AIA with Aerolease was terminated, but the same day a lease with Air Transport International begun. In May 1994, whilst still on lease to ATI, she became N788AL. She returned to Aerolease on 10 February 1997, and was bought by Airborne Express the following day, becoming N828AX in November 97.



PH-DEC "Marco Polo"



TL-TFU Icelandair

 

N828AX in DFW

N818AX cn46075/sn484 Delivered to KLM as PH-DEH, named Vasco da Gama, on 29 August 1969. On 18 March 1985 sold to Icelandair as TF-FLT, named Nordurfari. She was leased out to SAS for one month, Oct-Nov 1985. Sold to Electra Aviation on 23 May 1990, becoming N512FP. They leased her to Hawaiian Airlines from 31 May 1990 till 18 June 1993. In July 1993 she was bought by Aerolease Financial Group and put in storage at Mojave. But on Sept 1 1993 Airborne came to her rescue and leased her only to buy her on 3 Jan 1995, applying the registration N818AX.



PH-DEH "Vasco da Gama"



TF-FLT taking off from Arlanda, Sweden

 

N818AX in LAX


N823AX cn46122/sn506 Delivered to KLM on 30 December 1969 as PH-DEL, named Fernao do Magelhaes. Leased to Philippine Airlines on April 1, 1973, retaining her Dutch registration but crewed by PAL.. On May 1, 1975, she returned to KLM. From 24 March 1982 she was leased to African Safari Airways, who the bought her on 3 June 1982, giving her registration 5Y-ZEB. 5Y being Kenya, their principal routes being from Basel and Zurich to Nairobi and Mombasa. On 19 Jan.1994 she became N823AX with Airborne.



PH-DEL "Fernao do Magelhaes"



5Y-ZEB African Safari Airways

 

N823AX in SAN


N824AX cn46141/sn533 Delivered to KLM on 22 June 1970 as PH-DEM, named James Cook. From 11 March 1975 leased to Surinam Airways, painted in mostly yellow, getting the nickname "the Banana", officially named "25 November" their Independence day from being a Dutch colony. It actually operated on all KLM routes, although Surinam Airways did have their own DC-8 qualified crew who only operated her on the Amsterdam-Paramaribo run. She was returned to KLM in October 1983,and sold to African Safari Airways on 10 December 1983,but operated for Seychelles International as S7-SIS. On December 1, 1987 she was registered as HB-IBF, still to African Safari (a Swiss hotel/transport company) and now painted in ASA colors. On 27 January 1994 she became N824AX with Airborne Express.



PH-DEM "James Cook".


PH-DEM in KLM/Surinam livery at London-Heathrow



HB-IBF African Safari Airways 1993

 

N824AX in LAX


  For an interesting tale of an ABX DC8 that refused to give up the ghost click on N808AX


  Airborne Express Douglas DC-9's in previous KLM service


N928AX DC9-15/cn45718/sn17, date of manufacture 09 December 1965, was bought by KLM as one (nr 1) of 6 DC9-15s, registered PH-DNA, named City of Amsterdam and delivered on 25 March 1966. On 15 March 1975 she was leased to Itavia of Italy, who bought her in May 1977, giving her registration I-TIGU. In August 1983 she was bought by Airborne Express and became N928AX. Airborne sold her again on 15 March 1984, to K-C Aviation Inc. 15 March 1984 was also the day Midwest Express leased her, re-registering her to N300ME in August 1984. In February 2003 Midwest Express became Midwest Airlines, but whether she wore the new livery I don't know, as she was sold to Peregrine Aviation Services Inc. on 17.09.03 and was sold that same day to USAJet who put registration N191US on her on 3 Dec 2003.



N928AX as Peter flew it (15-7)



N928AX as flown by ABX Air (32-7)



The original 15 series N928AX as it presently flies with USA Jet.

The -15 was the closest us civilian pilots ever got to flying "fighters". It truly was a joy, as were all Douglas products. If you tell any pilot that I as a captain on the B747-400 voluntarily bid onto the MD11, he or she will probably shake his or her head and think you are dealing with a nutcase.

(Editor's Note: N928AX registration was transferred to a 30 series -7 due to the fact the the third 15 series was never put on line.)

As the last of the former Dutch DC-9s to make their way to Airborne Express, I am now sending you the details of N930AX. She was delivered to Martinair Holland as PH-MAO on 9 September 1969, and called Desiderius Erasmus, a Dutch philosopher. She was sold to Douglas as N502MD on 28 April 1983, and leased under this registration to Muse Air on 11 July 1983. Returning to Douglas some time in 1984, Airborne Express bought her in March 1984. She was given her present registration in August 1984


PH-MAO "Desiderius Erasmus" in Martinair Holland Livery



N502MD as delivered to Muse Air



N930AX Airborne Express




Airborne's First Jet: The SUD Caravelle

N904MW - According to my research, she started life on 11 Sept. 1961, the day of her first flight. Then she went, on the 20th of that month, to United Airlines as N1008U, named Ville de Rochefort. In March 1972 she went to Sterling Airways, Denmark, as OY-SBW, named City of Paris. Then, on 29 June 1973 she was leased to Transavia Holland (hence my curiosity), as PH-TVT, with return to Sterling in June 74. Back again to Sterling in July 74, and again Transavia in August 74 and again Sterling 9 days later on the 17th. Then a new lease on 19 Sept 77 to Starline of Italy as I-STAE and back to Sterling on 9 March 78. Her final entries are to Midwest Air Charter on 17 Nov 78 as N904MW to be registered to Airborne Express as N904MW on 30 June 1980. To be withdrawn fromuse in Dec 1980 and scrapped in Oct 88. One pic is of N905MW, couldn't find any of N904MW. The Transavia pic is of PH-TRU, but -TVT will have looked much the same.



OY-SBW nicknamed "City of Paris"



PH-TVT in Transavia Holland livery


United Airlines



N904MW Airborne / Charter Express Livery

 


 Portland, Oregon Ice Storm January 2004



  JATO Powered DC-9's

  A few DC-9's in the ABX Air Fleet came to the airline after having served in the US Navy as the C-9 "Nightingale". The C-9
  was a 32/33 series Freighter airframe equipped for use by both the USN and USAF as an executive transport or more
  commonly a hospital transport replete with stretcher racks. Some even came equipped with a housing to accommodate
  Jet-Assisted Takeoff (JATO) canisters. 

 This enabled the C-9 to operate from high elevation airports at higher gross takeoff weights. When these JATO aircraft
 were accepted into the Airborne Express fleet the JATO capability was initially retained for use at Denver-Stapleton
 International Airport. It was felt that if the a aircraft should lose an engine after takeoff that only  through JATO could
 second segment climb be achieved at the forecast weights. This was later abandoned and the JATO housing faired over. 

 Aircraft: N904AX / N905AX / N909AX




 



  


 



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