CATEGORY: TOYS
This is a rare find. This model was only produced for 4 months in 1971!
During the Cold War, European airlines flying to the East (Japan) were not allowed to fly over Soviet Union territory. Most airlines flew via Alaska, a longer and more expensive route. In 1971, KLM made a deal with the Soviets. For a brief period (4 months in 1971 only) KLM's blue lettering could be seen on Ilyushin IL-62s. But why, in the middle of the Cold War, was the KLM logo on a Russian machine? And why were passengers on board served by KLM flight attendants?
Airspace
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union closed its airspace to Western airlines. Thus, flights between Europe and the Far East had to make a refueling stop. Most airlines decided to make a stopover in Anchorage, Alaska. To offer travelers the opportunity to fly to the Far East more quickly, KLM passengers have the option of flying with Aeroflot. The Russian national carrier flew from Amsterdam to Moscow and then to Tokyo, Japan. The flights were performed with the Russian four-engine Ilyushin IL-62. While the pilots were supplied by Aeroflot, the cabin crew on the flights were partly supplied by KLM. It was unusual in the 1970s for two airlines to have such a partnership, let alone a Western airline and the national airline of the Soviet Union. To made it look like a real KLM flight, the KLM logo was pasted on the Il-62s instead of the Aeroflot logo. KLM is one of the few western airlines to have ever had its logo on an aircraft built in the Soviet Union.
Short term
The collaboration turned out not to be a great success and it was therefore discontinued after a few months. Until the opening of Russian airspace, KLM operated flights to Tokyo and other destinations in the Far East via Anchorage. While it may seem that Russia's airspace is open like that of most other countries, that is not the case. Russia generally only allows one airline per country to fly over the country. Airlines also have to pay quite a lot to be allowed to fly over Russia.
Creator:
VEB Plasticart
Object:
Scale Model 15018
Country:
German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
Design period:
1971
Production period:
1971
Identifying marks:
Logo on original package
Style:
Scale model
Condition:
In very good condition. No missing or damaged parts. The 'motor' (friction) to move the plane is working well.
Material:
Lithographed sheet metal, small plastic parts
Colour:
White, blue
Dimensions:
Plane: L 36 x W 30 cm. Box: L 40 x W 12 x H 12 cm
This is a rare find. This model was only produced for 4 months in 1971!
During the Cold War, European airlines flying to the East (Japan) were not allowed to fly over Soviet Union territory. Most airlines flew via Alaska, a longer and more expensive route. In 1971, KLM made a deal with the Soviets. For a brief period (4 months in 1971 only) KLM's blue lettering could be seen on Ilyushin IL-62s. But why, in the middle of the Cold War, was the KLM logo on a Russian machine? And why were passengers on board served by KLM flight attendants?
Airspace
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union closed its airspace to Western airlines. Thus, flights between Europe and the Far East had to make a refueling stop. Most airlines decided to make a stopover in Anchorage, Alaska. To offer travelers the opportunity to fly to the Far East more quickly, KLM passengers have the option of flying with Aeroflot. The Russian national carrier flew from Amsterdam to Moscow and then to Tokyo, Japan. The flights were performed with the Russian four-engine Ilyushin IL-62. While the pilots were supplied by Aeroflot, the cabin crew on the flights were partly supplied by KLM. It was unusual in the 1970s for two airlines to have such a partnership, let alone a Western airline and the national airline of the Soviet Union. To made it look like a real KLM flight, the KLM logo was pasted on the Il-62s instead of the Aeroflot logo. KLM is one of the few western airlines to have ever had its logo on an aircraft built in the Soviet Union.
Short term
The collaboration turned out not to be a great success and it was therefore discontinued after a few months. Until the opening of Russian airspace, KLM operated flights to Tokyo and other destinations in the Far East via Anchorage. While it may seem that Russia's airspace is open like that of most other countries, that is not the case. Russia generally only allows one airline per country to fly over the country. Airlines also have to pay quite a lot to be allowed to fly over Russia.
Creator:
VEB Plasticart
Object:
Scale Model 15018
Country:
German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
Design period:
1971
Production period:
1971
Identifying marks:
Logo on original package
Style:
Scale model
Condition:
In very good condition. No missing or damaged parts. The 'motor' (friction) to move the plane is working well.
Material:
Lithographed sheet metal, small plastic parts
Colour:
White, blue
Dimensions:
Plane: L 36 x W 30 cm. Box: L 40 x W 12 x H 12 cm
KLM | ILYUSHIN IL-62
Tin-toy sheet metal friction scale airplane model
1971
Tin-toy sheet metal friction scale airplane model
1971
€ 140,00