It's been a long time since i've posted my last write-up in this blog; so time to keep it active again.
For months; my plane collection had increased and i'm going to share it here.
First, the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital set.
Released by Gemini Jets in 2001, this twin pack set include:
* DC-8-21 (N220RB)
* DC-10-10 (N220AU)
First, the N220RB.
The aircraft started its life with United Airlines (N8003U) as DC-8-12, and later converted to -21 series.The aircraft was later donated to Orbis in 1982, and the aircraft was later transformed into flying eye hospital. However by the late 1980s, difficulty in procuring spare parts for DC-8 causing them to considering acquiring newer and bigger aircraft. Therefore, thanks to private donation, Orbis successfully acquire a DC-10 aircraft, and the conversion and renovation works took two years. When the DC-10 conversion & renovation works completed, the DC-8 officially retires and later donated to Datangshan Aviation Museum, in China. To this day, the DC-8 is still on display and on the same summer, Orbis started its inaugural mission to Beijing on their new DC-10.
And here are the photos of the N220RB:
Second, the N220AU.
The aircraft itself has a unique history; being the 2nd DC-10 built in 1970, and used extensively as a test bed by McDonnell Douglas before being purchased by Laker Airways. Several owners later, the aircraft entered service with Orbis in 1992 for USD 14 Million, and re-launched on 1994, after 2 years of extensive conversion work.
The aircraft would remain the backbone of their service until 2008,
where Orbis announces that they will acquire a Series 30 aircraft, to
replace the current one their use. FedEx announces they will donate one
of their DC-10-30 Freighter aircraft. The DC-10-30, known as MD-10 was
officially launched on June 2nd, 2016 and the inaugural program will be
held at Shenyang, China on this September. The new Flying Eye Hospital
retains the N220AU registration.
And below, is the photo of the N220AU, the first DC-10 operated by them:
