American Airlines Boeing 747SP Polished Die-Cast Model

Known as the “Luxury Liner”

Known as the “Luxury Liner” in American Airlines service, this 747SP was built in 1980 for TWA. Purchased in 1987 by American Airlines and re-registered as N601AA, it features a polished exterior design with large AA titles on the tail and forward fuselage. Largely used on long-range routes such as London Heathrow to New York, the “Luxury Liner” was both comfortable for passengers and economical to operate. Damaged in 1992 after impact with a jet bridge, where the pilots had parked in a ramp that was unfit for a 747SP (but not for a 747-100) the aircraft was retired from American Airlines service and sold. 

Features:

• Authentic paint scheme, engraved panel lines, printed decals, antennas, and surface details
• Unique extended flaps and slats in landing configuration
• Deployed or retracted landing gear
• Included display stand
• Measures 11.5”l with a 12” wingspan at 1:200 scale
• Officially licensed

History and Specifications:
Specially requested by Pan American Airlines during the 1970s, Boeing’s 747SP variant was intended to carry smaller numbers of passengers over greater distances. Redesigned with just 276 seats onboard, the fuselage could be shortened by 47ft, while retaining the upper deck in the front fuselage. Providing increased stability, the vertical stabilizer was also extended. Powered by four Pratt & Whitney JT9D engines, the aircraft could reach up to 700,000 lbs on takeoff, traveling more than 7,500 miles non-stop. Delivered as the fourth 747SP of Pan American’s seven on order, “Clipper Freedom” was fitted to carry 18 first-class, 62 business-class, and 164 economy-class passengers. Decorated with the airline’s “Billboard” logos across the forward fuselage, it was operational between 1976 and 1985 for Pan Am. Accruing 78,442 flight hours over its lifespan, N531PA was redesignated N141UA and retired during 1997 to be used as spare parts.