DIE-CAST MODEL — 🇿🇦 Africa One & 🇪🇸 Spantax — McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 — Herpa — 1:500 — WITH ORIGINAL BOX —

Characteristics

Description

This exceptional limited edition double set from Herpa's Aviation Center Berlin collection features two iconic McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 aircraft in 1:500 scale. The set includes Africa One's 5X-ONE 'Star of Africa' in their distinctive white livery with blue tail featuring African continent artwork, and Spantax's EC-DEG in classic white and blue colors with Spanish flag elements. Both models showcase Herpa's renowned attention to detail with crisp livery printing, accurate proportions, and fine surface details including panel lines and aerials. Each model is crafted from high-quality die-cast metal with plastic components, featuring rolling landing gear and detailed engine nacelles. This dual set represents a unique collector's opportunity to own two significant DC-10 operators in a single presentation box.

The McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 was a long-range wide-body trijet airliner that became a workhorse of international aviation from the 1970s onwards. Powered by three turbofan engines—two wing-mounted and one in the tail—the DC-10-30 variant featured extended range capabilities and increased fuel capacity compared to earlier models. The real aircraft measures 55.35 m (181 ft 7 in) in length with a wingspan of 50.40 m (165 ft 4 in) and height of 17.65 m (57 ft 11 in). The DC-10-30 could carry between 250-380 passengers depending on configuration and had a maximum range of approximately 8,500 km (4,600 nm). At 1:500 scale, these models measure approximately 11.1 cm in length with a 10.1 cm wingspan, perfectly capturing the distinctive trijet configuration and elegant proportions of this classic wide-body aircraft.

🇿🇦 About Africa One
Africa One was a South African airline that operated international charter and scheduled services. The carrier featured distinctive livery celebrating the African continent with bold graphics on the tail. Though its operational period was relatively brief, Africa One's DC-10 'Star of Africa' remains a memorable livery in aviation history and is sought after by collectors of African aviation.

🇪🇸 About Spantax
Spantax was a Spanish charter airline that operated from 1959 to 1988, becoming one of Europe's largest charter carriers during its peak years. The airline pioneered package holiday flights from Europe to Mediterranean destinations and operated a diverse fleet including DC-10s on long-haul routes. Spantax played a significant role in the development of Spanish tourism and remains a nostalgic favorite among collectors of classic European airline liveries.