1966-1968

Douglas launched the DC-9 development project in April 1963, intending the DC-9 as a short-range companion to their larger four engined DC-8. Unlike the competing but slightly larger Boeing 727, which used as many 707 components as possible, the DC-9 was an all-new design, using two rear-mounted engines, a small, highly efficient wing, and a T-tail. The original version had five abreast seating for 70 to 90.
Swissair ordered ten aircraft of the all-new Douglas DC-9-15 in the mid-60's, since its potential was considered to be higher than competing aircraft like the Boeing 727, BAC 1-11 or the Caravelle. the DC-9 was acquired to replace the Convair CV-440 with an all-jet fleet.
The DC-9-15 first flew in August 1966. Swissair quickly saw, that the DC-9-15 was too small for its needs and changed the order to the bigger DC-9-32. Five aircraft, which were already delivered, were given back to Douglas, after the DC-9-32 were delivered. For some more info about the delivery of the DC-9's to Swissair click here.

HB-IFA	Douglas DC-9-15 # 45731 / 34	15.07.1966 18.09.1968	Graubünden Delivered new to Swissair in 1966, returned to Douglas in 1968 as N8500, flew with Dominicana under this reg. Was then sold to Forbes Magazine as Executive Jet as N60FM, then with Westinghouse as N901B, Harrah's Club (Las Vegas) as N2H, then N120NE, in 1989 it came back to switzerland as HB-IFA for Executive Air Transport, in 1995 back to the US as N120NE, now N911SY with Royal Sons Inc.
HB-IFB	Douglas DC-9-15 # 45732 / 41	01.08.1966 14.06.1968	Obwalden Delivered new to Swissair in 1966. Sold to the FAA in 1968 as N119. Changed reg in 1975 to N29. Later (1994) transferred to the US Dep. of Justice as N813TL where it transported prisioners. In 1999 to US Marshall Services, now probably broken up.
HB-IFC	Douglas DC-9-15 # 45785 / 64	30.11.1966 21.08.1968	Appenzell Ausserrhoden Delivered new to Swissair in 1966, back to Douglas as N1790U, flew with Hawaiianfor a couple of months.In 1970 it went to Aeromexica as XA-SOJ, then Aerocalifornia as XA-RRY. Still flying there.
HB-IFD	Douglas DC-9-15 # 45786 / 90	10.03.1967 31.08.1968	Glarus Delivered new to Swissair in 1967, back to Douglas as N1791U. Sold to Air Panama in 1969 as HP-505. In 1972 it came back to the US as N968E, flying for Ozark, Texas International, and Continental. In 1988 it went to Aerocalifornia, where it is still flying today.
HB-IFE	Douglas DC-9-15 # 45787 / 127	26.06.1967 09.09.1968	Ticino Delivered new to Swissair in 1967, back to Douglas as N1793U, then to Germanair as D-AMOR, Kenya Airways 5Y-AKX, Korean Airlines HL7205. Then back to the US as N1793U with Hughes AirWest, later N9248 with Republic Airways, Taken over by Northwest in 1986. Now stored in Marana.

• Overview of Swissair's different DC-9 variants
• A DC-9 Fanpage
• Overview of the early DC-9's

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