Sinagpore Airlines Heritage - Series 4

The SIA Heritage - Series 4 is the continuation and part of the 5 series collection and not to be missed by any Commercial plane models collectors.

Vickers Viscount - The Classic Propeller


The Vickers Viscount, a 47-seater and the first turboprop aircraft to disrupt the piston engine's monopoly on air transport. The pressurized cabin allowed high-altitude flight while the reliable engines produced minimum vibration and noise, providing new level of comfort to passengers at that time. The Viscount entered commercial service in August 1950.

Two Viscounts was leased from British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) by Malayan Airways in August 1959 to operate from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Jesselton (now known as Kota Kinabalu).

McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 - A Trans-Pacific Wonder


In July 1977, SIA placed a S$410 million order with McDonnell Douglas Corporation to deliver four DC-10-30s aircraft between August 1978 and March 1979.

SIA needed a long range aircraft capable to operate on the Singapore-Auckland and Trans-Pacific sector non-stop. It has the capacity between 250 to 270 seats and sufficient cargo space. The DC-10-30 fits the bill as it offers SIA with the bets of both world.

On 4 April 1979, the longest operations was recorded when SIA inaugurated the thrice-weekly Singapore-Honolulu-San Francisco service.

Boeing 747-300 - The Big Top


In December 1981, SIA placed a record order for eight Boeing 747-300s as part of its aircraft modernisation programme. Another order for six more aircraft was made in May 1983.

Better known as the stretched upper deck (SUD), the Boeing 747-300 was designed to be more cost effective to operate than the Boeing 747-200. On 29 October 1984, SIA set an industry standards by operating the first direct non-stop service to London using the Boeing 747-300 dubbed as Big Top. SIA operated a total of 14 Boeing 747-300s and this aircraft was phased out of SIA fleet on 31 December 1999.

Airbus A310-300 - A Nostalgic Favourite


In May 1986, SIA placed its first order for two Airbus A310-300 for delivery in July 1987 and March 1988 respectively.

The Airbus 310-300 was selected for its operating efficiency. It was designed for extended-range twin-engine operations (ETOPS) ans was the first commercial airliner featuring the drag-reducing wing-tip devices.

The Airbus A310-300 was the second longest period of service in SIA fleets. It served the airline for 19years. At its peaks, SIA had 23 Airbus A310-300s. It is also the mother fleet that produced all the national command trainee in those two decades.

Note:

• The SIA Heritage Series 4 is available through http://www.krisshop.com website or mail order. Priced at S$129.00 excluding delivery charges.