OLD SOUTHERN DOUGLAS DC-9 ALUMINUM DESK MODEL AIRPLANE

RARE AND VINTAGE 1965 SOUTHERN AIRWAYS 1/60 SCALE DOUGLAS DC-9 SOLID ALUMINUM METAL DESKTOP DISPLAY MODEL AIRPLANE FROM FORMER AIRLINE PRESIDENT.

This auction is for a Rare and Vintage 1965, Southern Airways, 1/60 Scale, Douglas DC-9, Solid Aluminum Metal, Desktop Display Model Airplane, From Former Airline President. This extremely rare highly detailed solid aluminum metal professional model airplane, measures approximately 25.25" long x 21.00" wingspan x 7.00" tall. The stand measures approximately 8.25" long x 4.00" wide (varies) x 6.00" tall. I acquired this model airplane from family friends, of the former President of Southern Airways, Mr. Frank Hulse.

Important Information About This Model (Please Read):

This model airplane comes in three (3) pieces. The first piece is the solid fuselage, the second piece are the removable wings, (via two small Phillips head screws) and the third piece is the solid metal stand. The model shows some minor paint loose, some minor color loose and some minor decal fading over the years. Also, there's some small minor scratches on areas of the aluminum fuselage, wings, engines and rear stabilizer areas. I've captured all of these via digital pictures in this auction's listing. The model airplane connects to the stand via an adjustable screw on, metal swivel piece which attaches to the top of the metal stand. Also....please note that due to the heavy rear weight of this model, I had to add some plumbers putty into he nose of the aircraft, in order to have the model sit horizontally on the stand. I will include an extra plumbers putty container, within the box. I've looked over the model and have did not see any major dings of chips on it, via my naked eye inspection. Unknown who the manufacturer of this model was. There's two numbers on the inside of the wing which read 1320 and 632. On the inside of the fuselage, it reads number 632. Overall, the model and stand are in Excellent to Near Mint condition, for being almost 45 years old. The model and stand together weigh approximately 10 lb pounds. No original box available for this model. This item is being sold in "as is" condition. I will certainly take great care in boxing up this rare model and stand for shipping.

A Short History About Southern Airways

Southern Airways was a regional airline operating in the United States from its founding by Frank Hulse in 1949 until 1979 when it was folded into Republic Airlines, which on 1 October 1986 became part of Northwest Airlines.

Southern Airways began its life operating Douglas DC-3 aircraft on a route system which covered the south-central portion of the U.S. By 1968, Southern's route system extended from its most northerly stop at the Bristol-Kingsport-Johnson City (Tri-Cities regional) airport in Tennessee southward to its most southerly points at New Orleans and Jacksonville, Florida. The westward boundaries of Southern's route system were marked by Baton Rouge and Monroe, Louisiana. Routes extended eastward to the Atlantic Ocean at Myrtle Beach and Charleston, South Carolina.

Southern began acquiring 40-passenger Martin 4-0-4 piston airliners secondhand from Eastern Air Lines in 1961, and its final DC-3 retired in 1966. The airline began acquiring 65-75 passenger Douglas DC-9-10 fanjets in 1966 and 85-95 passenger DC-9-30 fanjets in 1969. Some of these were bought new from the manufacturer. Southern did not operate turboprop aircraft as a transition from propeller equipment to pure jets, as many other airlines did. Instead, like Trans World Airlines, it moved directly from piston-engined equipment to jets. However, by the time of the merger with North Central, Southern had replaced its Martins with a small fleet of 19-passenger Fairchild Metro II turboprop commuter airliners.

By 1971, Southern was operating flights into New York City and Chicago and as far south as Orlando and Miami. Because U.S. government regulation of airline routes prohibited Southern from operating flights from New York or Washington, D.C. nonstop to Atlanta, an unusual route developed which provided multiple daily flights from New York and Washington nonstop to Columbus, Georgia, then on to Dothan, Alabama; Mobile, Alabama; Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; and/or Gulfport/Biloxi, Mississippi. Southern remained a regional airline in character, and flights with up to five or six stops were frequently found in their published schedules.

With increasing acquisitions of DC-9 jet aircraft, many routes which were once served with prop equipment were served with jets. Realtively small communities were linked to each other with full-size jet equipment. Jet transportation was provided to hubs at Atlanta and Memphis, sometimes with multiple stops. Some examples of these unusual nonstop jet routes include:

Columbus, Georgia to Washington, DC. and New York/Newark. Meridian, Mississippi to Birmingham, Alabama; Columbus, Mississippi; and Laurel/Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Tuscaloosa, Alabama to Atlanta, Georgia and Columbus, Mississippi. Muscle Shoals/Florence, Alabama to Memphis, Tennessee and Huntsville/Decatur, Alabama. Greenville, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee and Monroe, Louisiana. Columbia, South Carolina to Greenville/Spartanburg and Charleston, South Carolina. Albany, Georgia to Atlanta, Georgia; Valdosta, Georgia; Dothan, Alabama; and Columbus, Georgia. None of these routes are served with full-size jet aircraft today, few of these routes are served at all, and some of these airports no longer have any scheduled airline services whatsoever.

By the mid-1970s, Southern's route system had expanded significantly to include St. Louis, Detroit, Ft. Lauderdale and Grand Cayman, which would be Southern's only international destination.

Southern Airways billed itself as the "Route of the Aristocrats." It was famous for its promotional shot glasses: for a time, a differently designed shot glass was issued each year. Original Southern shot glasses are valued by collectors of the airline's memorabilia.

By the late 1970s, Southern Airways had begun to experience difficulties. Two fatal accidents blighted the airline's otherwise excellent safety record. Improved highways and an increasing willingness among airline passengers to drive to airports farther away for more convenient flights made many of Southern's routes obsolete. With dramatic increases in the price of jet fuel in the 1970s, operation of many of Southern's routes was no longer cost-effective.

On 1 August 1979, Southern merged with North Central Airlines to form Republic Airlines and the "Route of the Aristocrats" came to an end.

End

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SHIPPING INFORMATION Winner must reply within 3 days of auction close with complete mailing address. The high USA bidder (Continuous 48 states.) will pay $40.00 for FedEx Ground Shipping and Handling. (Residents of Alaska and Hawaii will pay slightly higher shipping rates.) All FedEx Shipments include $100.00 of Insurance FREE of Charge. If you wish to insure this item for an additional amount, there will be an additional charge associated with the extra insurance with FedEx. You can track your package via their website at www.fedex.com. International high bidder will pay the actual USPS International Mail Shipping & Handling. If you wish to insure this item for shipping, their will be an additional charge. High international bidder is 100% responsible for any and all customs and or duty fees. OTHER INFORMATION If you have any questions, please e-mail me. Great Customer Service Is My #1 Priority! If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete refund. I'm a trusted Ebay Power Seller with a 100% Positive Ebay Feedback Rating. Please purchase with confidence. I'm also a registered Ebay Trader Assistant and will be happy to sell your items for you on Ebay. ME PAGE AUCTIONS ADD TO FAVORITES CONTACT