Ozark Air Lines  McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15    N970Z          (c/n  45772)

                                       

                                           Ozark began service with three short bodied DC-9s in 1966.  The first of these is seen above.
                                           Operations were soon given the green light to extend service from St. Louis to Denver and a
                                           route to New York was granted by the CAB in 1969.    Consideration was given in the late
                                          1960s to a merger with Central Airlines, but this idea was dropped and Ozark then went on
                                           for almost two decades before succumbing to an offer from TWA.   Ten of the series -10
                                           DC-9s would eventually fly with the airline.