The DC-8 was a very important aircraft in aviation, but more than 50 years after its introduction, it has fallen out of favor and now operates with only three airframes active worldwide.
One of these airframes, N782SP, which is operated by Samaritan’s Purse, is the last active DC-8 with a U.S. registration and is being retired this month after many years of service, not only with the organization but also the other airlines that flew prior to that.
With it being one of the last active DC-8s in the world, many aviation enthusiasts have wondered what fate holds for this particular airframe, hoping it would not be scrapped and it could be visited in the future.
After 10 years with the charity, the aircraft will go on its final mission on Friday, bringing over 9,000 shoebox gifts to areas devastated by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica for Operation Christmas Child, which Samaritan’s Purse is well known for.
This will be the 219th and final mission for the DC-8.
The retirement has been known for a while, but what wasn’t known until now is what will become of the aircraft after its final mission.
Samaritan’s Purse now says that the aircraft will not be getting scrapped and will be put on display for all to see.
On Display
Once the aircraft has completed its final mission in Jamaica on Friday, the quad-jet will fly for the last time, this time not back to Greensboro, but up to Liberty University in Virginia, where it will remain on display at the Lynchburg Regional Airport.
Liberty University has one of the largest faith-based collegiate aviation programs in North America.
The president of Samaritan’s Purse, Franklin Graham, did have something to say about the DC-8’s retirement: “For a decade, the DC-8 has helped us reach more people around the world for the Gospel—getting the right supplies and people to places devastated by disasters and crises. As the DC-8 prepares to complete its final mission, we praise God for how He has used this plane to change lives. Aviation plays a critical role in our work, and we replaced this 1968 DC-8, which has reached the end of its service life, with a 767, allowing us to transport even more supplies to people in need in Jesus’ Name.”
Along with the Boeing 767 that Graham mentioned, the charity also has a Boeing 757, both of which will be used to transport critical cargo and supplies to those in need.
AirlineGeeks had the opportunity to fly on board the DC-8 with Samaritan’s Purse a couple of weeks ago on their 218th Mission to Mission Aviation Day in Daytona Beach, Florida, at Embry-Riddle University.
With Christmas coming up, those wanting to contribute, donate, or even make a shoebox for an Operation Christmas Child can do so here.
