Eastern®- DC-8-21-N8609

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Description

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Introducing the latest aircraft to join the PlaneTags fleet - a Douglas DC-8-2. Tail number N8609 was delivered to Eastern Air Lines in October 1960 and flew with the airline until 1974. After a short stint with Air Caledonia, ‘8609 was retired and stored for decades. MotoArt rescued this hidden gem in 2021. 

Eastern was the launch customer for the DC-8-21, calling it the DC-8 B, and the model became Eastern’s first jet. The DC-8-21s took over longer non-stop routes, such as New York and Chicago to Miami and Mexico City and Bermuda. N8609 was one of Eastern’s 16 DC-8-21s, and one of a total of 33 that were built. Eastern proudly presented it as the most advanced and dependable jet, with power to spare. Its livery touted “Fly Eastern’s Golden Falcon Jet DC-8B”.

OUR PLANE'S STORY

N8609 originally wore a red, white and blue Golden Falcon livery, but the majority of its years with Eastern it was wrapped in the New Mark/Hockey Stick scheme, with a Caribbean Blue swath above the Ionosphere Blue cheat-line which swooped up like a hockey stick parallel to the forward edge of the tail. The Golden Falcon was replaced with a new streamlined, minimalist falcon in white against a dark blue background. The design was meant to project an image of a safe, reliable airline. The New Mark colors and style, with several modifications over the years, would remain until Eastern Air Lines stopped flying in 1991. Read more about it on our blog.

MotoArt is thrilled to add a DC-8-21 in Eastern colors to our ever-growing encyclopedia of aircraft. The bygone era of the DC-8 and the mighty Eastern Air Lines will be remembered when you hold a DC-8 PlaneTag. Add one to your collection. 

EASTERN®️ - DC-8-21 - # N8609


Characteristics:

  • Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company
  • Tail #: N8609
  • Passengers: 177 
  • Empty weight: 123,876 lb
  • Wing Span: 142 ft 5 in
  • Length: 150 ft 8 in
  • Height: 43 ft 4 in

Performance:

  • Max Takeoff: 276,000 lb
  • Range: 4,050 nmi
  • Max Cruise Speed: 483 knots
  • Ceiling: 42,000 ft
  • Rate of Climb: 1,500 ft / minute
  • Engine: 4 x P&W JT4A-3


DISCLAIMER

DC-8® and EASTERN® are registered trademarks of others. MotoArt is not affiliated with, connected to or sponsored by The McDonnell Douglas Company or Eastern Airlines.

PlaneTags are Handmade Aviation Tags

  • Authentic - made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. 
  • Unique -  each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. 
  • Collectible - each one is numbered in a limited edition and comes attached to a display card. 
  • Versatile - comes with a durable metal ring, strong enough to attach to luggage or keys or display.

- Please Note: Due to limited quantities, combination colors you may receive will vary.

*Important Notice – Please Read Carefully

PlaneTags are made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. Because PlaneTags are made from real fuselage, each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. These variations and imperfections are not product flaws. They are part of the beauty of PlaneTags. As a result, you will not have an option to select the color of your PlaneTag. The images on this website are provided for reference only and should not be used as the sole basis for choosing a particular PlaneTag.

Caution: Not recommended for children under 8 years of age. This product contains chemical-based paint which may cause respiratory irritation if ingested or inhaled in large quantities. Keep out of mouth.

Customer Reviews
4.9 Based on 9 Reviews
5 ★
89% 
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Filter Reviews:
    AS
    02/29/2024
    Anthony S.
    United States United States

    One of my first planetags

    This DC-8 tag from Eastern is such a gem! You really cant ever have the exact paint from an Eastern DC-8, but now you can with this tag! The Blue/dark Blue combinations are such a neat color combination.

    LP
    02/18/2024
    Logan P.
    United States United States

    Great Tag!

    Love the history of the airplane and airplane! Great color combinations and awesome tags! Very thick too!

    JS
    02/17/2024
    Jamie S.
    United States United States

    DC-8

    Much of the paint on this release was fairly worn, unfortunately it sat for quite a while in the boneyard. But if you were lucky to get a light/dark blue combo, Planetags did a fantastic job bringing those iconic colors back to life. That particular tag variant still looks brand new!

    IH
    02/10/2024
    Isaac H.
    United States United States

    THICK

    Thickest tag in my current collection and a big throwback to a bygone era of aviation.

    SI
    03/01/2023
    Stefano I.
    Italy Italy

    Best looking aircraft

    One of the best looking aircraft made so far and super quality tag as always

    E
    10/28/2021
    ExHack
    United States United States

    Iconic

    Got the solids and 2 of the 3 combos on the restock. These are gorgeous Tags. Douglas wasn't messing around when they built this bird - all of these Tags have some legit thiccness. Very nice. Character to spare on every one - the Boneyard solid and Boneyard/Caribbean combo have very weathered, craqueleured paint that really tells the story of the time this plane spent in the desert after her retirement. I didn't need all of them - but you should treat yourself to at least ONE of them.

    AD
    10/22/2021
    Alberto D.
    Germany Germany

    EASTERN®- DC-8-21 TAIL # N8609 Light Blue/Dark Blue

    Great Tag! A nice memento of an aircraft I remember very well. The colors are still vibrant after 60 years. Another great job by Planetags.

    AD
    10/22/2021
    Alberto D.
    Germany Germany

    EASTERN®- DC-8-21 TAIL # N8609

    The Light Blue/Dark Blue Tag looks really great! Great memento of a Jetset airliner with its screeching turbojet engines on final approach. A must buy!

    AD
    10/08/2021
    Alberto D.
    Germany Germany

    DC-8 Eastern Airlines

    At last! The iconic DC-8 is finally available as a planetag. The light blue and blue/white combo are great Tags, and thick too! I flew on DC-8s many times during the 60's and 70's and always enjoyed it.

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