ONA’s famous DC-8 was painted in this special livery to celebrate Americas 
200th Bi-Centennial anniversary in 1976 and was ONA’s flying “Birthday 
Card to America”.  

The jetliner was nick-named “Independence” (see nose section for inscription), 
and was registered with the FAA as; N1776R (very clever)!

This DC-8-32 Intercontinental jetliner flew for ONA circa 1975-1977, 
crisscrossing the globe from Europe, Hawaii, down to the Caribbean islands, 
and throughout the US.  This beautiful jet could carry up to 179 PAX in all 
coach seating, travel at 588 MPH, and had a flying range of over 4,600 miles.

Little did ONA at that time that they very well may have kicked off what has 
now become an industry trend of painting commercial aircraft to generate tens 
of thousands of dollars in advertising revenue and using them as “flying bill 
boards” (if we only knew back then). 

Special thanks to Ron Preede for the DC-8 post card from his ONA memorabilia 
collection.

Special thanks to Nancy Schultz Neil Fujarczyk for photo editing.