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1998-2001 Dragon Models Limited. All Rights Reserved.
LAN
Chile (Linea Aerea Nacional de Chile) is one of the oldest airlines in South
America. Established in March 1929 as Linea Aeropostal Santiago-Africa under
the command of the Chilean Air Force, it initially provided mail flights. The
airline was nationalised in 1932 when the present name was adopted. Lockheed
Lodestars were used in 1948 to introduce services to Buenos Aires, then DC-6s
to Miami from 1958. The SE 210 Caravelle was LAN's first jet aircraft, delivered
in March 1964. In 1967, the Boeing 707 came online and was used to operate services
to the Easter Islands and Tahiti. In 1974 the South Pole route was opened to
Australia, LAN being the first airline to link the two continents. Three DC-10s
were acquired in 1980 and used for services to the USA and Europe. Boeing 767s
were added from 1986, which later replaced the DC-10s. In September 1989, LAN
Chile was privatised and the Cueto family became the principal shareholder.
Regional and national flights were further improved and extended from 1990 with
leased BAe 146s. In 1996, the Cueto family also acquired the majority shareholding
in Ladeco and the two carriers shared their routes. Since 1998, there has been
close co-operation with American Airlines, which led to LAN Chile becoming a
member of the Oneworld Alliance. The airline introduced a new corporate identity
in 1999 and has ordered 30 aircraft from Airbus Industrie to completely renew
their short and medium haul fleet. The carriers long haul services continue
to be operated with B767-300, both passenger and cargo variants. In response
to collectors requests, we take pride in releasing the LAN Chile B767-300 in
1:400 scale.....because you asked for it!
