Seeing a widebody aircraft at DCA is extremely rare , and has only happened a handful of times throughout the years. Two others were weather diversions of a DC-10 and 767, and a 787 was in for display. The Orbis was at DCA for display, having just completed conversion, and by sheer coincidence I photographed it exactly 2 months later passing through ANC on it's first eyecare mission.

With the withdrawal of seven FedEx MD-10s near the end of 2022, this magnificent machine became the last of its type in commercial service. Itself ex FedEx and converted from DC-10 to MD-10 status in 1994 by the installation of a glass cockpit, it joined TAB in 2013 and has since been a regular visitor on cargo services linking Santa Cruz, La Paz and Cochabamba with Miami, but normally only in the night hours. On this occasion luck was with the photographer when it arrived several hours late, the first time in daylight since November. How wrong does it look with the Boeing appellation!

Del 27 April 1979 Former World Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Sabena as N106WA

The MD-10 is an upgraded version of the DC-10 which includes a full glass cockpit just like the MD-11, to allow two-crew operations. Departing for Memphis as FX143.

Converted DC10, built in 1988.

Powerfull departure with snow in the background

Delivered new as a DC-10-30F 24th Jan 1986. Converted to MD-10-30F Apr 2008 and current at time of upload

Ex TransAmerica N103TV, registered 24th May 1984 as a DC-10-30CF and converted to MD-10-30F Apr 2002. Current at time of upload

Delivered new (as a DC-10-30F) 7th March 1986 and converted to MD-10-30F July 2008. Current at time of upload

Departing ANC off runway 33.

Ex Transamerica DC-10, acquired by Federal Express in 1984 and converted to MD-10 in April 2002.

Seen here four months after having been upgraded from DC-10 to MD-10, by fitting it with a new advanced-technology two-person flight deck (very similar to the MD-11 flight deck). This aircraft is named "Cori", but FedEx names are shown on the left side only.

Stored at VCV since 12 October 2012 in basic FedEx colours, awaiting conversion to a flying Eye Hospital by Project Orbis. In late 2016 it would replace their DC-10-10 N220AU.