In the late 1970s, Douglas was considering various design updates for the DC-10. These included the DC-10 'Super 60' series that was proposed in three versions including a 390-seater DC-10-63 with a 12.19m (40 ft) fuselage stretch, longer wings and CF6-80 or JT9D-7R4 engines. These projects were all shelved when the image of the DC-10 was shattered by a series of unconnected accidents that shook the flying public's confidence and made the airlines cancel their orders. In 1981, McDonnell Douglas borrowed a DC-10 from Continental Airlines, to fit and study the effects of winglets on aircraft performance. The encouraging results of this, plus the emergence of new, more powerful engines, saw proposals and and projects evolve into the MD-11 in 1984. First flown in January 1990, the MD-11 was available in three versions, the basic 405-seater airliner that was normally equipped with 250-330 seats, the all-freight MD-11F with a large forward cargo door and stronger landing gear, and the 'Combi' with a rear cargo door and a variety of optional cabin configurations. The lack of promised range (a 5% to 10% reduction initially) has dogged the MD-11, prompting McDonnell Douglas to introduce various Performance Improvement Packages. These 'phased' modifications have reduced weight and drag to such an extent that the MD-11 now exceeds its original design range. We now take pleasure in bringing you this high passenger-appeal aircraft in the colors of one of North America's most popular carrier, Delta.