Custom Eastern®- DC-8-21-N8609

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”.

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

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.