In April 1973 three Boeing 720s made their way to Rhodesia, circumventing the UN sanctions against the country. D-ACIS was one of these aircraft. It started its service life with Eastern Air Lines in November 1961. In December 1970 it joined the fleet of short-lived German charter airline Calair. Following the failure of Calair, Air Rhodesia clandestinely acquired three of Calair's five 720s arriving in Salisbury almost in formation in April 1973.