Northwest Airlines Douglas DC-8-32    N804US         (c/n  45605)

                                    

                                           Northwest's first pure jets were five DC-8s, delivered in 1960.  With these, jet service to
                                           Asia was commenced on 8 July 1960.   With the advent of these new aircraft, the livery
                                           was changed to somewhat resemble that of the mid-1940s, although the red tail was retained.
                                           Clearly the airline was not enamoured of this type (the economics were not what they had
                                           hoped they would be) and a follow-on order for five series 51s was not taken up, the airline
                                           opting for the Boeing 707 and 720 models instead.    When these were delivered the DC-8s
                                           were sold to National Airlines.