From 1885 to 1927, the Italian Protectorate of Somalia extended along the Indian Ocean from the Gulf of Aden to the Juba River. In 1949, the UN approved the eventual creation of Somalia as a sovereign state and in 1950, took over trusteeship from Great Britain. In 1960, Great Britain gave independence to British Somaliland and they joined the former Italian part to create the Somali Republic. Somali Airlines was formed in 1963 with the Somali Republic (51%) and Alitalia (49%). On March 9, 1964, (3) refurbished DC-3's were donated by the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) and Alitalia was given a 5-year contract for technical assistance. DC-3 "White Star Service" began from Mogadishu to Aden, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. The first of (2) ex-Alitalia Viscount 785's arrived in 1968. With the arrival of the first Jet A/C in 1974 (leased ex-American 720-023B), a new route to London via Nairobi, Abu Dhabi and Yemen began. From 1980-85, (2) ex-Qantas 707-338C's were used on flights to Saudi Arabia (Jeddah), Egypt (Cairo) and Rome. In 1985, (2) ex-Lufthansa 707-330B's replaced the earlier 707's. The Somali Airlines color scheme was changed slightly with the window stripe staying straight instead of extending up the tail. On October 15, 1987, Somali Airlines placed an order for (1) Airbus A310-300 plus (1) option. The GE powered -304 was scheduled for delivery in October 1988 but a delay forced the airline to lease a Sabena A310-222 until March 1989. The Sabena A310 was distinguishable by it's darker Blue widow stripe edged in White and it's Gray LH. Finally on March 28, 1989, The Somali Airlines A310-304 arived and looked great in it's full Somali Airlines color scheme! The A310 was configured with 14 seats in first class and 147 in economy and was used on non-stop routes from Mogadishu to cities in Europe and the Middle East. On January 1, 1991 the sole Somali Airlines A310-304 was repossessed as the country began it's decent into a ungoverned state. In 2005, a Somali businessman attempted to start-up Somali Airlines using a 747 "Big Top" (possible Reg. 6O-SSA..No info?) but nothing further was heard. For enthusiast's, the attractive Somali A310 was sadly short-lived........John3