History of Aircraft 1951s

In service for only three days, starting on August 27, 1951.
This DC-3 was used for invitation flights ahead of the beginning of scheduled flight services in October. The aircraft was leased from Philippine Airlines and operated under the name, "Kinsei."
The photo was taken prior to departing Haneda Airport for the first invitation flight around Tokyo on August 27.

JAL leased a total of five aircraft from Northwest Airlines. This aircraft faded from sight when JAL began independent flight operations a year later.
The aircraft seated 36 passengers and had a cruising speed of 450km/h.

Approximately one year before beginning independent flight operations, JAL operated this aircraft leased from Northwest Airlines under the name, "Tenousei."
JAL purchased the same aircraft after the company began independent flight operations, naming it "Tokachi."

Introduced for the start of scheduled international service (Tokyo - San Francisco) on February 2, 1954.
JAL's 10 DC-6B aircraft (including one leased aircraft) formed the backbone of its international fleet during the 1950s.
The aircraft seated 36-58 passengers (on international flights) and had a cruising speed of 450km/h.

JAL owned five DC-7C aircraft in the transition preceding the introduction of jet aircraft. The DC-7C was an innovative aircraft that used turbo-compound engines to achieve higher speeds and a longer range.
The aircraft seated 48-72 (international flights) passengers and had a cruising speed of 550km/h.

The DC-8 opened the door to the jet age and was the key to establishing a new era of long distance international flights. In addition to its elegant form, often described as the "lady in the sky," and superior performance, in-flight services were also popular as they made the most of Japanese culture, with a pure Japanese style lounge in the passenger cabin and seats made with Nishijin fabric.
The photograph shows JAL's first DC-8, named "Fuji." Over the next 27 years, JAL used a total of 60 DC-8 aircraft (including leased aircraft) in the -30, -50, and -60 series.