This has to be the rarest footage of the 220 ever. I've seen ramp photos, but never action shots of this beauty making contrails. The addition of the interior and it's different configurations was a real plus. Thanks for posting this amazing airplane that never went into service.
I last saw the MD220 in El Paso in 1988 as it was being towed back into its hangar from the wash rack. It looked exactly like it does in the video... I had never seen it or heard of it before - what a double take! One of the techs there was nice enough to give me a little background on it. Very interesting and thanks.
@frontenginedragsterd: They never went into full production. The only existing prototype is in a hangar in Fort Worth Texas at Meacham field.
JM: Dang! That's where I got my A&P license. I miss Fort Worth and the TCJC (Tarrant County Junior College) A&P program at Meacham. I was stationed at Carswell there on the West side across from General Dynamics. I personally saw a hangar at Meacham with an F-80 Shooting Star in it. TCJC had sold it to a private individual.
now that the 990 is scrapped we need to save this unique airplane Pima air museum was interested but the owner was making wierd proposals ElPaso owns it now and they are clueless of historical significance of these airplanes call pima and elpaso SAVE THIS PLANE
Sadly, the 990 and 220 in El Paso have become derelics at this this point, if they are even still there in one piece. Only a very rich aviation minded philanthropist with a million or two to spare could get them flying again. A lessor amount could make them museum worthy if a group of people could raise the funds.
I'll second that "Wow!" below. I still have very vivid dreams of piloting an airliner/small jet. I have been since I was four years old. I am 42 now and this is the only regret I have---that I did not join the Air Force and become a pilot and fulfill my dream. Maybe in my next life? Maybe. :)
I remember coming across this once while looking for planes to add for Flight Simulator. I downloaded it, and I have to saw, I loved how it flew and looked (also had the same exact reaction about it being a baby 880). A huge same this didn't go forward, it seemed VERY well built and extremely advanced for it's time. Let's hope that the one that was built will get a very good loving home and so future generations can enjoy her.
First flew Feb 11, 1959. Competed in 1950s USAF UCX competition. Originally designated 119A. Was first certified (provisional) cabin class bizjet. Its owned by a man in PHX. Tokoph owned the 220 twice but sold it the last time in 2004. Acft remains in ELP because new owner is upset over the sale, and the plane is not airworthy. Last flew July 1997 when it was ferried back to ELP from Midland, Texas where it had sat in a hanger for 11 years!
I was on the flight from MAF to ELP in 1997 as an observer. Captain was David Tokoph, First Officer was Reza Sharifzadeh (sorry about the butchered spelling, Reza...). No video of the flight, but I have some footage of the prep work on the airplane in the two weeks leading up to the flight. Will post it once it is in a more usable format.
No company in aviation history was better at designing and manufacturing state-of-the-art planes that nobody wanted to buy. Witness the equally impressive CV880 and CV990. There's only one 880/990 left that could possibly fly again and there's basically no serious interest in saving this piece of aviation history. No corporate interests or fat cats want to spend the money to get it back in the air.
If you're lucky enough, you can see this prototype at the El Paso International Airport (ELP). It's owned by David Tokoph, who owes the airport a lot of money. As a consequence, it's been grounded there.
PS: Is this available on DVD?
hotelgulf 2 months ago
This has to be the rarest footage of the 220 ever. I've seen ramp photos, but never action shots of this beauty making contrails. The addition of the interior and it's different configurations was a real plus. Thanks for posting this amazing airplane that never went into service.
hotelgulf 2 months ago
Little DC-8
canamwing 4 months ago
this bird is truly a beauty!
philorkill 7 months ago
I bet she's a thirsty bird with 4 engines
SFConifer 8 months ago
I last saw the MD220 in El Paso in 1988 as it was being towed back into its hangar from the wash rack. It looked exactly like it does in the video... I had never seen it or heard of it before - what a double take! One of the techs there was nice enough to give me a little background on it. Very interesting and thanks.
omnivident 1 year ago
@frontenginedragsterd: They never went into full production. The only existing prototype is in a hangar in Fort Worth Texas at Meacham field.
JM: Dang! That's where I got my A&P license. I miss Fort Worth and the TCJC (Tarrant County Junior College) A&P program at Meacham. I was stationed at Carswell there on the West side across from General Dynamics. I personally saw a hangar at Meacham with an F-80 Shooting Star in it. TCJC had sold it to a private individual.
JetMechMA 1 year ago
Very nice. What a beautiful aircraft. Thank you very much for posting this.
hmbpnz 1 year ago
Sounds like they knew their market. Did they sell any of these? I don't recall ever seeing any of them.
JetMechMA 1 year ago
You have the best videos! Thanks for posting.
threeholerhauler 1 year ago
I love you for posting this!!!
Sturzi 1 year ago
I never knew this plane existed and i am good anyone know how many were made did they sell any ive never seen one thanks for posting JIM.
Turksonbass 1 year ago
now that the 990 is scrapped we need to save this unique airplane Pima air museum was interested but the owner was making wierd proposals ElPaso owns it now and they are clueless of historical significance of these airplanes call pima and elpaso SAVE THIS PLANE
wendellb36 1 year ago
Man, I really wish I was a businessman in the early 1960s. What an era.
MrAirlineCrazy 1 year ago
HA! Latest radio and avionics!
natebot321 1 year ago
pretty enough
LeonardRockstein 1 year ago
Sadly, the 990 and 220 in El Paso have become derelics at this this point, if they are even still there in one piece. Only a very rich aviation minded philanthropist with a million or two to spare could get them flying again. A lessor amount could make them museum worthy if a group of people could raise the funds.
nthom1956 1 year ago
I actually got to see this airframe at the Albuquerque Airport in 1972. I always wondered what happened to it...
Sublette217 1 year ago
Good ol' STL
J-32 at TWE & DC-9 at TWA for me! now CE560E
TAXtheAtheist 1 year ago
Wonderful!
guebogirl 1 year ago
I wish they were still around frequently.
pjtc85 2 years ago
Holy smoke, this is one from the vaults! Thanks for posting this fascinating video.
king7wood 2 years ago
does the plane still exist, i heard it was in Texas
MASmith91 2 years ago
This plane must have been a bust, never saw one except this one
SFConifer 2 years ago
I'll second that "Wow!" below. I still have very vivid dreams of piloting an airliner/small jet. I have been since I was four years old. I am 42 now and this is the only regret I have---that I did not join the Air Force and become a pilot and fulfill my dream. Maybe in my next life? Maybe. :)
richfincm 2 years ago
Nice looking airplane
CVKent317 2 years ago
Wow! What a rare find!
TheCannonofMohammed 2 years ago
I remember coming across this once while looking for planes to add for Flight Simulator. I downloaded it, and I have to saw, I loved how it flew and looked (also had the same exact reaction about it being a baby 880). A huge same this didn't go forward, it seemed VERY well built and extremely advanced for it's time. Let's hope that the one that was built will get a very good loving home and so future generations can enjoy her.
LOTIL62 2 years ago
First flew Feb 11, 1959. Competed in 1950s USAF UCX competition. Originally designated 119A. Was first certified (provisional) cabin class bizjet. Its owned by a man in PHX. Tokoph owned the 220 twice but sold it the last time in 2004. Acft remains in ELP because new owner is upset over the sale, and the plane is not airworthy. Last flew July 1997 when it was ferried back to ELP from Midland, Texas where it had sat in a hanger for 11 years!
jt1035 2 years ago
I wonder if anybody videotaped any part of the 1997 ferry flight?
haworthhoarder 2 years ago
I was on the flight from MAF to ELP in 1997 as an observer. Captain was David Tokoph, First Officer was Reza Sharifzadeh (sorry about the butchered spelling, Reza...). No video of the flight, but I have some footage of the prep work on the airplane in the two weeks leading up to the flight. Will post it once it is in a more usable format.
bdon661 2 years ago
Wow...THANKS for the input. Looking forward to all things 220, that's for sure.
mcdonnell220 2 years ago
I bet I am one of the few aviation buffs who has even heard of and seen this film...well done, Christian!
denberg2 2 years ago
No company in aviation history was better at designing and manufacturing state-of-the-art planes that nobody wanted to buy. Witness the equally impressive CV880 and CV990. There's only one 880/990 left that could possibly fly again and there's basically no serious interest in saving this piece of aviation history. No corporate interests or fat cats want to spend the money to get it back in the air.
haworthhoarder 2 years ago
Thanks so much for the excellent bit of aviation history. A great find.
ADulay 2 years ago
If you're lucky enough, you can see this prototype at the El Paso International Airport (ELP). It's owned by David Tokoph, who owes the airport a lot of money. As a consequence, it's been grounded there.
990astrojet 2 years ago
Shame this aircraft was never commercially produced. It is a great plane
spider23000 2 years ago
That infomercial was so good, I want one.
cujet 2 years ago
Interesting! Thanks for sharing.
almore1999 2 years ago