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 John Schmidt (dc8schmidt@twc.com) | Home > 
The Last of the Great Douglas Airliners
Douglas Airliners from the DC-2 through the DC-10 had a history of superior performance and longevity. The DC-8 and DC-9 airframes were later modified with great success extending their utility for many years. Given those previous successes, it's not surprising that an advanced and upgraded DC-10 would be contemplated. And so it was that in 1986, the advanced DC-10, redesignated as the MD-11, was launched. By the end of 1990, the first MD-11s were in service with Finnair.
But the facts were that the beautiful aircraft did not quite meet its performance goals in range and payload. Ultimately some launch orders were cancelled, and sales were relegated to some 200 units. Nevertheless, the airliner has served for more than 30 years, and is continuing to serve as a cargo airliner. Following are a number of postcard views of this beautiful aircraft. Thanks to Terry Hale, Kuo-Ching Fu and PK Chai for sharing a number of these images.
Album by John Schmidt. 1 - 153 of 153 Total. 2180 Visits.
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MD-11 #2 KCF
A splendid representation of the MD-11 in manufacturer colors, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu

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MD-11 #1 KCF
A McDonnell Douglas issue of the MD-11, in the factory colors

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Aeroflot MD-11 #1 KCF
An excellent Aeroflot issue, featuring their MD-11F VP-BDR. Aeroflot acquired three ex Varig MD-11F freighters in 2008, from Boeing Capital. They operated through 2013, and were acquired by Delta for parts. Card by courtesy of Kuo-Ching Fu

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Alitalia MD-11 #1
A very nice Editions PI issue of I-DUPD, the last MD-11 delivered to Alitalia in June of 1994. It served until sold to Lufthansa in 2004 for conversion to Cargo, becoming D-ALCS. Sold to Western Global in 2015, presumably for parts.

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Alitalia MD-11 #2w
An absolutely splendid Alitalia issue featuring I DUPI in flight. Delivered in December 1991, it was built as a Convertible (MD-11C).
It went into freight service in 2006


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Alitalia MD-11 #3 KCF
An Outstanding New Year's Greeting card, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu

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Alitalia MD-11 #4 KCF
An uncommon Alitalia issue from their Warsaw office detailing destinations and other data. Kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu

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Alitalia MD-11F #2
The new MD-11F freighter is featured on this 2006 greeting card

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Alitalia MD-11F #1
Alitalia Cargo issued this outstanding greeting card in 2008

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American  MD-11 #1
A great American issue of their new MD-11 airliner. Their first aircraft, delivered in 1991, was originally destined for British Caledonian, but picked up by AA after cancellation of the B Cal order.

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American  MD-11 #2
This nice view of the American MD-11 landing is a FISA issue

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American  MD-11 #3
The MD-11 portrayed in an American issued oversized set.

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American  MD-11 #4
From Aviation treasures is this great view of the MD-11 after take off.

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American  MD-11 #5 KCF
The MD-11 presented in Silhouette on this holiday issue from American's Tokyo office, kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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American  MD-11 #6 KCF
An awesome take off view of N1766A, on another Aviation Treasures issue. This beauty, delivered to American in 1993, was sold to FedEx, and is still current. Card by courtesy of Kuo-Ching Fu

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British Caledonian MD-11 #1KCF
British Caledonian, a launch customer for the MD-11 cancelled their order after the announced incorporation into British. This unidentified issue uses the standard advertising image adapted to B-Cal colors.

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British MD-11 #1KCF
In anticipation of British operating the aircraft, this image was produced, now a dream on a Blue Skies issue.

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China  MD-11 #1
The now familiar MD-11 marketing image was used on the first China Airlines issue of their MD-11

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China  MD-11 #2TH
This MD-11 was the first of 5 delivered new to China Airlines in 1992. It operated for Mandarin for 6 years and returned to China in 1999. Sadly, lost in a crash at Hong Kong in late 1999. Card is an Avimage issue, kindly shared by Terry Hale.

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China Eastern MD-11 #1
China Eastern received their first MD-11 in November of 1991.  The card is a China Eastern issue which identifies it as an A-340

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China Eastern MD-11 #2 KCF
A splendid view of a China Eastern MD-11 from China Post, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu

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China Eastern MD-11 #3 KCF
A great view of B-2173, delivered to China Eastern in October of 1992. After serving 18 years, the China Eastern fleet was acquired by Skylease Cargo. Now, sadly, broken up

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City Bird MD-11
City Bird of Belgium took delivery of this new MD-11 in April of 2001. After 5 years it was returned to Boeing Capital, and became a Finnair aircraft. Card is an outstanding City Bird Issue.

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Delta MD-11 #1
Seventeen MD-11s were delivered to Delta, and used extensively on long range international segments. this nice Delta issue features the airliner in ita original colors

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Delta MD-11 #3
A World Collector's Card issue featuring N804DE in later colors.  It, like most, became a UPS aircraft

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Delta MD-11 #2
This spectacular Wings Electro issue features N812DE in the special Atlanta Olympics colors.  It served until sold to FedEx in 2004. Now stored.

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El Al MD-11 #1 KCF
An impressive take off view of El Al Israel's MD-11, N278 WA. Two Md-11s were leased from World during the years from 1998-2001. Card is an Aviation Treasures issue, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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Eva Air MD-11 #1
A later issue, featuring the aircraft in different livery
"John, this is the original E..."
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Eva Air MD-11 #2
Eva Air acquired 12 MD-11s for their long haul international services from 1994-1999. Illustrated on this EVA issue is B-16101, the first delivered.  After their service with Eva, most are now flying with Western Global.

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Federal Express MD-11 #1
This FedEx issue shows N608FE, delivered new to FedEx in 1992, wearing its original colors. It served 30 years, and has just been retired

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Federal Express MD-11 #4
An outstanding Fedex issue showing N601FE, their first MD-11, in newer colors. Delivered in June, 1991, it is still active.

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Federal Express MD-11 #2
A spectacular view of N613FE, on approach to Hong Kong. Card is a Wings Electro issue, and the aircraft  is still in service

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Federal Express MD-11 #3
One more outstanding FedEx issue of the MD-11 in flight.

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Federal Express MD-11 #5TH
This nice multi-view Fed Ex issue kindly shared by Terry Hale

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Federal Express MD-11 #8KCF
An excellent oversized data card from the manufacturer, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu

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Federal Express MD-11 #7KCF
Also a McDonnell Douglas issued data card

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Federal Express MD-11 #9KCF
A Frontier Productions issue, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu

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Federal Express MD-11 #10KCF
A Narita Airport issue, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu

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Federal Express MD-11 #6KCF
Finally, this stunning oversized postcard view of N-602FE in original colors, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu. Delivered in 1991, it is still current. A McDonell Douglas data card

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Finnair MD-11 #1
Finnair was the first airline to begin MD-11 service. This Finnair pre delivery issue used an image employed on McDonnell Douglas advertising at the time.

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Finnair MD-11 #2
An excellent Finnair issue

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Finnair MD-11 #3
Finnair took delivery of four new MD-11s, and added an additional 4 from other carriers. A nice in flight Finnair issue

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Finnair MD-11 #4
This landing view is also a Finnair issue

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Finnair MD-11 #5
Another nice view from Finnair.  Several of Finnair's MD-11s are active with Western Global

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Finnair MD-11 #6
The MD-11 at take-off in the newer Finnair Livery

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Finnair MD-11 #7
A nice taxi view from Finnair

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Finnair MD-11 #8
This outstanding Finnair issue features OH-GLB, the 2nd MD-11 delivered to Finnair, wearing the later livery. It went to World Airways in 2010

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Finnair MD-11 #9
Another nice Finnair issue

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Finnair MD-11 #10 KCF
Finnair applied the special Santa Claus livery to several MD-11s

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Finnair MD-11 #11KCF
Another Finnair issue in the Santa Claus livery

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Finnair MD-11 #12KCF
This Finnair issue is actually a data card

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Finnair MD-11 #13KCF
Another look at the MD-11 in level flight

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Finnair MD-11 #14KCF
Another nice Finnair issue featuring Moomin characters,  shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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Finnair MD-11 #15KCF
This beauty published by a Japanese airline magazine, and shared by Kuo-Ching Fu

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Finnair MD-11 #16KCF
Oriental City Publishing of China produced this splendid postcard view.
Kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu


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Finnair MD-11 #12w
A final Farewell issue of the MD-11

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Garuda MD-11 #1
Garuda took delivery of 9 new MD-11s, beginning in the fall of 1991. This nice Garuda issue employs the common marketing image used in MD-11 promotion.

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Garuda MD-11 #2
A similar Garuda issue using the image.

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Garuda MD-11 #3
A much more appealing card is this in flight Garuda issue.

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Garuda MD-11 #4TH
From an over-length Garuda set, this gem was shared by Terry Hale

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Garuda MD-11 #5TH
This outstanding Garuda issue features their first MD-11, EI-CDI, climbing. The aircraft was one of three acquired via Guiness Peat leasing in 1991 and 92, thus the EI registration. It went to Varig in 1996, and is currently a FedEx aircraft

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Garuda MD-11 #7 PKC
This final rare Garuda issue kindly shared by PK Chai also features EI-CDI

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Japan  MD-11 #1
Japan Airlines beginning in 1993 added a fleet of 10 new MD-11s for long range intercontinental flights. this excellent Japan issue features JA 8580, delivered in November of 1993. It, like most of the Japan fleet was acquired by UPS in 2003

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Japan  MD-11 #2
A second early Japan issue.

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Japan  MD-11 #3
This nice Japan issue features JA 8581, the 2nd MD-11 deivered.

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Japan  MD-11 #4
JA8581 featured climbing on this JAL issue

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Japan  MD-11 #5
JA 8581 at take off, a JAL issue

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Japan  MD-11 #6
A nice ramp view

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Japan  MD-11 #7
Another JAL view of 8581 Taxiing

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Japan  MD-11 #8TH
This impressive Japan issue, shared by Terry Hale, features JA 8584 taking off. Delivered in August of 1994, It too, went to UPS, but is now WFU

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Japan  MD-11 #9TH
This great take off view, is also a Japan issue, kindly shared by Terry Hale

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Japan  MD-11 #10 KCF
A great holiday greeting issue of the J-Bird, kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu

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K L M MD-11 #1
KLM operated 11 MD-11s, and operated the airliner on long haul routes until 2014, (the last passenger operation.)

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K L M MD-11 #2
A second KLM issue.

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K L M MD-11 #3TH
This outstanding in flight KLM issue features PH-KCA, the first MD-11 delivered to KLM. It served for 21 years before WFU

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K L M MD-11 #4 PKC
This breathtaking oversized KLM issue features PH KCE, delivered in November of 1994. It operated the last MD-11 passenger flight. Montreal- Amsterdam Oct 20, 2014. Thanks to PK Chai for sharing this great image.

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Korean MD-11 #1
The First Korean Air issue was this stock image used on MD-11 promotion.

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Korean MD-11 #2
Then there is this beautiful Korean Air issue of HL 7373, delivered in March of 1992. Sadly, this aircraft was lost in a crash at Shanghai in 1999

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Korean MD-11 #3 PKC
Another splendid view of a Korean Air MD-11, this card was kindly shared by PK Chai

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L T U  MD-11 #2
An interesting choice of images for a postcard, this LTU issue shows us the tail of an MD-11.  LTU took delivery of 4 new MD-11s from Dec. 1991-Feb. 1993

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L T U  MD-11 #3
A much more appealing view of an LTU-MD-11 in flight. However, the arrival of new A-330s in 1995 and 1996 made the MD-11s expendable, and the fleet was leased to Swissair in 1998, where they operated until 2003.
The first LTU MD-11, D-AERB was just wfu from UPS in Jan. 2023


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Lufthansa MD-11F #1
Lufthansa ultimately acquired 19 MD-11s specifically as a freighter, with deliveries starting in 1998, and including the last MD-11, delivered in January 2001.
This aircraft D-ALCD, was delivered in Sept 1998, and recently became a Western Global aircraft.


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Lufthansa MD-11F #5 KCF
A nice view of D-ALCD on an unidentified publisher card.

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Lufthansa MD-11 #3 KCF
This uncommon Holiday issue kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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Lufthansa MD-11 #4 KCF
Kind of a spectacular view of the MD-11F taking off, also on a Christmas issue.

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Lufthansa MD-11F #3 KCF
This nice view of the MD-11F is an Air Gallery Edition, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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Lufthansa MD-11F #2
A splendid postcard view Of D-ALCB, delivered in June of 1998

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Lufthansa MD-11F #4 KCF
A later issue by Lufthansa Cargo, using the same image. This aircraft was delivered to UPS in 2020, and is still active

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Lufthansa MD-11F #6 KCF
This uncommon Lufthansa Cargo issue, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu, features D-ALCF. It was delivered to Lufthansa in August of 1999, serving 20 years before sale to FedEx. Still active with FedEx

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Mandarin MD-11
This is an outstanding Editions "Guy" issue featuring B-153, which operated for Mandarin from 1995-1998. It was returned to China Airlines in 1998, ventually became a FedEx aircraft, now WFU

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Martinair MD-11
Martinair, celebrating the arrival of the new MD-11 posed this image with their restored DC-3.

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Martinair MD-11 #2 KCf
This splendid in flight Martinair card is a Stam issue from the Netherlands, kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu. PH-MCU was delivered in September of 1996, and served for 20 years. Sold to Fedex for parts.

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Philippine MD-11
This awesome take off view features Philippines MD-11 278 WA, which was leased from World Airways. A total of three were operated in 1996 and 1997. Card is a Postcard (Czech)  issue

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Sabena MD-11 #1KCF
In March of 1998, Sabena took delivery of two New MD-11s, OO-CTC, and OO-CTS. They operated for only 3 years, and were returned to Boeing Capital. This Sabena Issue?, kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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Saudi Arabian MD-11F
Saudi Arabian bought 4 new MD-11 Freighters for delivery in late 1997 and 1998. They served the airline until retired in 2014. International Aerospace Group bought them, but their final disposition is uncertain

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Saudi Arabian MD-11F #2 KCF
A less common Saudi Arabian Issue is this blank backed oversized card, featuring the MD-11F. Card kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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Shanghai MD-11
A nice Shanghai Airlines issue featuring their MD-11F aircraft. Three MD-11Fs were operated from 2005-2011.

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Shanghai MD-11 #2 KCF
An outstanding take-off view of Shanghai's B-2177. The airliner was bought from EVA, and served in China until 2013. Now stored at Mohave. Card is a Planely Speaking issue, Shared by Kuo-Ching Fu

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Thai (International) MD-11 #1
Like others, Thai International used this  image for their first MD-11 card. Four were delivered in 1991 and 92.

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Thai (International) MD-11 #2w
This very nice Thai International issue from the want list features HS-TMF, delivered in July 1992. It served for 14 years, and was bought, along with the other Thai MD-11s by UPS in 2006. Still Active

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U P S MD-11 #1 TH
This stunning oversized UPS issue, is kindly shared by Terry Hale. A fleet of 40 MD-11Fs has been serving the airline for some 20 years, and the parade of MD-11s landing at Louisville brings in a number of spotters.

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U P S MD-11 #2 KCF
A UPS MD-11 on a collector card series.

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U P S MD-11 #3 KCF
Another excellent view of the MD-11 from a UPS Collector card set

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U P S MD-11 #4 KCF
This oversized Boeing issued data card is kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu, as well as the previous collector cards.

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Varig MD-11 #5
The MD-11 was a great fit for Varig, and an impressive fleet of 26 was acquired. This early Varig issue uses the standard MD-11 image

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Varig MD-11 #1
This excellent Varig issue features VP-VOP, delivered in November of 1991. It was leased to Gemini Air Cargo in 2000, and written off at Sao Paulo in 2016, when operating for Centurion

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Varig MD-11 #2
This later Varig issue features
PP-VPN, an ex Garuda aircraft acquired in 1996. In 2004 it went to FedEx, and is still active.


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Varig MD-11 #3
This special Varig soccer team livery  has a blank back.

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Varig MD-11 #4

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Varig MD-11 #6 KCF

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Varig MD-11 #6
One additional Varig issue, wearing the soccer team livery.

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Varig MD-11 #8 MDS
This uncommon Varig MD-11 issue, kindly shared by Mario Da Silva.

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VASP MD-11 #1
After 1990, VASP of Brazil began aggressively pursuing international services, acquiring new MD-11s from 1992 to 1996. This I believe is the first VASP issue.

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VASP MD-11 #2
A very nice VASP issue showing PP-SOZ in flight. Delivered in 1992, it became a Varig aircraft in 2000.

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VASP MD-11 #3
Another excellent VASP issue

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VASP MD-11 #4
Another great VASP issue of PP SOZ.  The airliner ultimately was acquired by Lufthansa in 2005. WFU in 2014

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VASP MD-11 #5
Another outstanding VASP issue of SOZ

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VASP MD-11 #6
A later VASP MD-11 issue.

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World MD-11 #1
World Airways acquired 7 new  and 13 other used MD-11s. This is a pre-delivery issue promoting the airliner.

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World MD-11 #2
This excellent World issue features N-280WA in flight. It was often used as a lease aircraft and flew for a number of airlines. In 2001, it was sold to FedEx, and is still active

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World MD-11 #3KCF
A fabulous oversized view of N280WA, on a Mcdonnell Douglas data card, kindly shared by Kuo Ching Fu

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World MD-11 #4KCF
Another outstanding oversized view, in this case a cargo version. N-274WA was delivered in March of 1994. It was frequently leased out, and ultimately went to FedEx for parts

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World MD-11 #5 KCF
One final view of World's MD-11, a World issue shared by Kuo-Ching Fu. Sort of a symbolic sunset view.

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Western Global MD-11F
Many of the MD-11s have been acquired by Western Global, prolonging their service for a few more years to be sure.  This is a photo taken at SDF

 
   
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