United States of Venezuela (FD Scale)

[KIKE92]

Hi everyone, this is the completely redesigned AC8:

CAV AC8
The CAV AC8 is a short- to medium-range twinjet narrow-body airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost
twin-engined airliner derived from CAV's AC7. Originally envisioned in 1963, the initial AC8-100 made its first flight
in June 1966 and entered airline service in February 1967 with Mexicana. Next, the lengthened AC8-200 entered service in
January 1968.

CAV had been studying a short- to medium-range airliner to complement their higher capacity, long range AC7. Preliminary
design work began on July 11, 1963. Mexicana became the launch customer on February 19, 1964, with an order for 20 aircraft.
To expedite development, CAV used as much of the structure and systems of the existing AC7 as possible. This fuselage
permitted six-abreast seating compared to the rival BAC-111 and DC-9's five-abreast layout.

The AC8-200 is a AC8-100 with an extended fuselage and more powerful and efficient engines, launched by an order from Viasa
in 1965. The -200 was rolled out on July 20, 1967, and entered service with Aeropostal in January 1968. CAV also provided the
AC8-200CF (Convertible), which allowed for conversion between passenger and cargo use and the AC8-200QC (Quick Change),
which facilitated a rapid conversion between roles.

[Tobius]

Beautiful aircraft renditions.

[adenandy]

Excellent work Kike

Jolly fine work old fruit

[eswube]

Nice. Looks like a cross between B737 and Dassault Mercure.

[Hood]

Very nice lines, looks good.

[KIKE92]

CAV AC12-100 Viasa (1990)

Viasa and Aeropostal placed the AC12 in commercial service in 1989. The AC12 succeeded earlier single-aisle airliners, and became commonly used for short and mid-range domestic routes, shuttle services, and transcontinental Venezuelan flights. After regulators granted approval for extended flights over water (ETOPS) in 1992, airlines also began using the aircraft for intercontinental routes. Major customers for the AC12 included Venezuelan mainline carriers, other South and Central American airlines, and cargo companies.

[KIKE92]

SAAC CJ-1:

The CJ-1-200 entered service with Viasa in July 2012 with its first flight from London Heathrow Airport to Maiquetia International Airport. The airline has 46 aircraft currently in service (36 CJ-1-100, 20 CJ-1-200), with another 36 airframes on order (16 CJ-1-100 & 20 CJ-1-200). The CJ-1-100 partly replaced the AC10 and the VA140 on international routes. The twinjet is fitted with 325 seats in a four-class setup (8 First, 46 Business, 39 Premium Economy, 232 Economy). There are no plans to retire the type yet.


The stretched CJ-1-200 was ordered by the airline initially as a dedicated replacement for the older AC10s in the fleet. Later on, due to evolving market demands and fuel prices, the aircraft ended up also replacing most of the AC10s on the international market. In 2004 Viasa ordered sixteen CJ-1-200s, with another 24 added to the orderbook in 2010. They fit 400 passengers in four classes (12 First, 62 Business, 42 Premium Economy, 284 Economy).

[KIKE92]

This is the CJ-1s big brother.

SAAC CJ-3
The SAAC CJ-3 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by South American Aerospace Corporation. It is the world's largest passenger airliner, and the airports at which it operates have upgraded facilities to accommodate it. It was designed to challenge Boeing's and Airbus monopoly in the large-aircraft market. The CJ-3 made its first flight on 11 May 2012 and entered commercial service in 25 September 2014 with Viasa. In mid-2001, SAAC engineers began work in secret on the development of a very-high-capacity airliner (VHCA), both to complete its own range of products and to break the dominance that Boeing had enjoyed in this market segment since the early 1970s with its 747 and to compete with the new A380. The SAAC team was given approval for further evaluations of the VHCA after a formal presentation to the President and CEO in June 2001. The megaproject was announced at the 2002 Paris Air Show, with the stated goal of 20% lower operating costs than the 747-400 and 5% lower than the A380. SAAC organised four teams of designers, one from each of its partners (VAI, Embraer, Fadea, Enaer) to propose new technologies for its future aircraft designs. The designs were presented in 2002 and the most competitive designs were used. Five CJ-3s were built for testing and demonstration purposes. The first CJ-3 was unveiled in Ciudad Guayana 20 February 2012. It first flew on 11 May 2012. This plane, equipped with SAAC TR-90A engines, flew from Manuel Carlos Piar Guayana Airport with a crew of six headed.

[BB1987]

Oh my 380s that's one big bird.

[Tobius]

Excellent and quite feasible drawings. Well done. Agree about the big bird. The plane (the Airbus 380) is currently pushing the upper limits of size in passenger aircraft with present day engines, airport design, and materials science.

Then again... Spruce Goose? People thought it was at the limits and look what can be done today.