July 27th 1974, onboard an Air New Zealand DC8 from Auckland to Nadi (Fiji). This is a scan from a transparency (slide). Shot with an Asahi Pentax Spotmatic II and 50mm f1.4 standard lens (when a camera had a 50 - 55mm lens as standard - no good zooms in those days).

This was also my first international flight. Subsequently I have been back to Fiji about 20 times, Australia at least 4 times, Canada/USA once and one trip to Rarotonga.

Tags:   Fiji 1974 Air NZ DC-8 Epson V700 scan Asahi Pentax SPII 50mm Takumar M42 Air New Zealand DC8 predigital Takumar 50mm window seat

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October 13th 1974, and I am already aboard a NAC (National Airways Corporation) Boeing 737 for my flight to Christchurch (returning home after eight days in Fiji). This was shot through the plane window.

ZK-NZA is Air New Zealand's first DC-8 (a DC-8-52) and DC-8s were operated from 1965 through to 1981, the later couple of years mainly in freight operation.

In the right background construction is underway on Auckland's new International terminal, and directly behind the ZK-NZA is a nearly brand new DC-10-30 (Air NZ started getting these in 1973).

I twice flew from Christchurch to Nadi, Fiji on DC-8 flights. They operated on Tuesday and Thursday evening and left Christchurch about 6:00pm, with a short stop in Wellington and then direct to Nadi.

Tags:   AKL Auckland DC-8 DC-8-52 palne ZK-NZA Asahi Pentax SPII film slide Epson V700 scan Douglas NZAA Auckland International Airport Auckland International Airport AKL Unlimited photos

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