McDonnell Douglas DC-8 PostcardOn 23 September 1963 Air New Zealand (the national flag carrier of New Zealand) signed a contract with Douglas Aircraft, agreeing to purchase three of the latter's DC-8-52 jet airliners. The first DC-8 arrived at Auckland on 20 July 1965, coinciding with the official opening of Air New Zealand's jet base at the airport. The remaining two DC-8's arrived on 12 August and 22 September of that year and the inaugural jet service was a flight from Christchurch to Sydney on 3 October.
The Māori symbol on the tail fin is the Koru. It is a stylised representation of a fern frond unfolding, and signifies new life, growth and renewal. The koru was used on the prows of the early Polynesian canoes that sailed the Pacific with its many islands.
SOURCES:
Douglas DC-8 Wikipedia Entry
History of Air New Zealand Wikipedia Entry
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