Retro Sioux Falls Airport

[JJ Skippy]

The third post in this saga contains some finds at the library. Really interesting stuff here and this information will prove useful.

- First image shows an aerial view of the Costello Terminal sometime in the 1970s. Very helpful information contained here:

• A Western 737 can be seen behind Gate 1. This matches up with my general assessment from before.
• A North Central Convair plane is visible near the main portion of the terminal. Could possibly be an extra gate they had. Gate 9 perhaps?
• An Ozark DC-9 can be seen near the position of where Gate 5 is today. Once again, it matches with my assessment on Ozark.
• Also interesting to note, Gates 1 & 3 are the only gates that have jetbridges. 2 and 4 may have gotten theirs later.

- Second, third, fourth, and fifth photos are from a souvenir program for the 1986 Sioux Falls Airshow. These advertise specific aircraft that made their appearances at the Airshow. Also not shown were the Thunderbirds.
- Sixth photo onwards come from a master plan study for the airport, dating from the 70s. This photo shows an aerial view of the airport along with what plans they had for the future. They wanted to add another pier to the terminal but this never happened. All of the south apron was planned to be taken down too. This didn’t happen either. Runway 3/21 was also planned to be shortened but never went through. Finally, it also shows plans to expand Runway 15/33, which would happen in the 2000s.
- Seventh photo shows a closer view of the terminal building plans.
- Eighth photo is an aeronautical chart of Sioux Falls. Note the runway layout in the middle.
- Ninth and final photo is a map of destinations served out of FSD along with top markets. Some were already served, but those like SFO, PHX, and OMA did not have direct service.

 

[OscarBravo992]

This is so cool! Love it!

 

[Purpleplane]

Great info you got there. The history is very interesting.

 

[redriveraviation]

Excellent information you were able to acquire! I love the model display they have!

 

[JJ Skippy]

After quite the absence on this thread, here’s a look at my checklist I’ve created based off research I’ve done so far. I’ve only included planes that have been made so far, but I do plan on adding planes I need for the project that have not yet been made. Models with the green box on the right indicate they’re in my collection. This does not include new models I’ve acquired but haven’t unboxed yet.

I do like how it transitions from Aeroclassics for much of the mid to late 20th century planes to Gemini Jets for the slightly newer stuff

 

[Purpleplane]

Very cool. I'm liking this a lot. I may have to work up something like that for my IND project.

 

[OscarBravo992]

Nice! I have something similar for my MEL airport, it will be useful once I finally get around to starting it!

 

[EQ Planes]

Hello all! As of late, I have been embarking on a retro airport project for my hometown airport in Sioux Falls. I was mainly inspired by my own fascination of history of various things and topics that interest me, and research into who would have flown to Sioux falls previously. Yesterday's Airlines has also somewhat inspired me to start collecting retro planes, which has led to the creation of this project. So far, I've acquired models that are applicable for the 2000s, with a select number of models from other eras. Great progress has been made in the 2000s era as I was able to create temporary dioramas for 2000, 2004, and 2006. I do want to get or create a permanent diorama for this project, but that'll take me extra weeks. I expect that this project will last me well into the long-term, mainly due to the rarity of various models I need (especially dating back pre-1980s) and the amount of research needed to make sure everything is as accurate as possible.

Attached below are pictures of my 2000 and 2006 dioramas I set up in the past. I wasn't able to get a good bird's-eye picture of the 2004 one I set up. Plans for a couple more 2000s and a late 1990s diorama are in the works. I'll be using this thread to provide updates on the project; updates will be slow throughout the fall, but more posts are to follow after the holidays.

Definitely like the 2006 updates as I was born in oct of 2006. So definitely like to see how things have progressed in my short 16 year long life span.

 

[Purpleplane]

I''m absolutely loving this project!

 

[redriveraviation]

I''m absolutely loving this project!

Me too! That spreadsheet is impressive!

 

[JJ Skippy]

Hi all. Another quick update on the project as we are just a few weeks away from the Christmas holiday:
- I’ve been fortunate enough to find a good number of models for Retro FSD that will be arriving in time for the holidays. Plenty of stuff was found for the later eras, but I did manage to find a few models from earlier eras.
- A few airport updates will be published for the 2000s and one for the late 1990s. Additional airport updates are to follow as I do plan on making regular content monthly.
- In addition, I do plan on reaching out to the airport in hopes of finding some more info. I haven’t been able to do it yet as I’ve been busy with other commitments. In addition, I will be making some additional trips to libraries in town over my long holiday break. Hopefully, I’ll be able to discover more new info.

Overall, I’m quite excited for what’s to come in 2023. Stay tuned for more posts.

 

[Purpleplane]

Hi all. Another quick update on the project as we are just a few weeks away from the Christmas holiday:
- I’ve been fortunate enough to find a good number of models for Retro FSD that will be arriving in time for the holidays. Plenty of stuff was found for the later eras, but I did manage to find a few models from earlier eras.
- A few airport updates will be published for the 2000s and one for the late 1990s. Additional airport updates are to follow as I do plan on making regular content monthly.
- In addition, I do plan on reaching out to the airport in hopes of finding some more info. I haven’t been able to do it yet as I’ve been busy with other commitments. In addition, I will be making some additional trips to libraries in town over my long holiday break. Hopefully, I’ll be able to discover more new info.

Overall, I’m quite excited for what’s to come in 2023. Stay tuned for more posts.

Awesome, looking forward to seeing the progress.

 

[JJ Skippy]

Hello again! Wanted to share another find that I stumbled across. This is an advertisement for Western Airlines starting all-jet service to Sioux Falls, dated Nov. 20, 1968, from a clipping of the Sioux Falls' Argus Leader. I'm hopeful to find a Western 737 in the older Indianhead livery along with the Flying W livery for later eras. Western operated L-188 Electras and Boeing 720Bs based on a timetable from a few months prior, so 737 jet service likely started in 1969.


Christmas is only a few days away, and I am super excited to get everything all put together for the wave of planes coming in for the project! See you in a few days!

 

[Purpleplane]

Hello again! Wanted to share another find that I stumbled across. This is an advertisement for Western Airlines starting all-jet service to Sioux Falls, dated Nov. 20, 1968, from a clipping of the Sioux Falls' Argus Leader. I'm hopeful to find a Western 737 in the older Indianhead livery along with the Flying W livery for later eras. Western operated L-188 Electras and Boeing 720Bs based on a timetable from a few months prior, so 737 jet service likely started in 1969.
View attachment 8552

Christmas is only a few days away, and I am super excited to get everything all put together for the wave of planes coming in for the project! See you in a few days!

Thank you for sharing, I wish you a very Merry Christmas

 

[JJ Skippy]

Thank you for sharing, I wish you a very Merry Christmas

To you as well. Cheers!

 

[JJ Skippy]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone on MAF! This thread is active once more as we have some exciting arrivals that just came in for Retro FSD. I’ll start with the newer stuff and go in a reverse chronological order:

2000s
First we have this Aeroclassics Delta DC-9-50. These aircraft, inherited from Northwest, began operating to FSD in the spring of 2009 during the NWA/Delta merger. There likely were periods of NWA aircraft still operating this route, but from time to time, a Delta-painted one would appear.

Next is this United Boeing 737-300 Blue Tulip. United restarted their mainline service in 2007 following its discontinuation in the earlier part of the decade. Previously, United operated this type, along with the 727-200s. When they returned, United had the 733 and 735 operate from DEN.

Next is this America West CRJ-200. America West opb Mesa serviced FSD from 2004-2006 from PHX using an RJ2. Found this on an eBay listing.

Next is this Northwest Airlink Saab 340. Saabs began operating to FSD in the 90s to replace the outgoing Dash 8-100s. However, they were very prominent through the 2000s, especially the Bowling Shoe colors. Most were repainted into subsequent liveries, like NWA’s final livery and Delta colors before being retired altogether, but based off research the Bowling Shoe was the most common and even co-existed with the new Delta colors for a time.

 

[JJ Skippy]

Cranking it back further, we head into the 80s and 90s. Starting off with the 90s stuff:

First is this Northwest Douglas DC-9-30 Bowling Shoe. This livery was introduced in 1989, however it is very much associated with much of the 90s and early 2000s for the airline. These were the workhorse for FSD on the MSP services and this is a very valuable asset for the collection. Thanks goes to West Coast Diecast ( @danwashere ) for the model and the free fire truck too.

Next is this Delta 737-200 Widget. This was a model I was seeking for a while following the start of this project. There’s a good story behind how I got this, too, but here’s an abridged version: I was talking with Connor (@redriveraviation) on a Friday night in October when I caught wind of a Waffle collection sale from another fellow collector elsewhere. Connor spotted the Delta 732 Widget on the collection sale page and alerted me to it. He is also working on a retro airport project and does need this model, too, but he was very kind to let me get it first, which I very much appreciate. Thanks so much buddy, hopefully you’re able to get one in the future, whether it’s Gemini’s release or even the supposed new Aeroclassics one that got leaked. Regarding its presence at FSD, it appeared following Delta’s acquisition of Western in 1987, leading to 732s flying in from SLC and RAP. This mainline service was dropped by 1994 (a SkyWest CRJ service continued) and Delta wouldn’t return until the NWA merger in 2008.

Finally for this section, we have the Ozark DC-9. A lovely model recently released by Aeroclassics, Ozark was a huge check mark I was missing for Retro FSD. I do have their F-27 which was announced this past February, and later found out these flew to FSD in the early to mid 1960s, but what I really wanted was a DC-9. This livery was introduced very late in the 1970s, but will prove useful for much of the 1980s. Following the TWA acquisition, TWA continued to operate these aircraft until they were acquired by American in 2001.

 

[Purpleplane]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone on MAF! This thread is active once more as we have some exciting arrivals that just came in for Retro FSD. I’ll start with the newer stuff and go in a reverse chronological order:

2000s
First we have this Aeroclassics Delta DC-9-50. These aircraft, inherited from Northwest, began operating to FSD in the spring of 2009 during the NWA/Delta merger. There likely were periods of NWA aircraft still operating this route, but from time to time, a Delta-painted one would appear.

Next is this United Boeing 737-300 Blue Tulip. United restarted their mainline service in 2007 following its discontinuation in the earlier part of the decade. Previously, United operated this type, along with the 727-200s. When they returned, United had the 733 and 735 operate from DEN.

Next is this America West CRJ-200. America West opb Mesa serviced FSD from 2004-2006 from PHX using an RJ2. Found this on an eBay listing.

Next is this Northwest Airlink Saab 340. Saabs began operating to FSD in the 90s to replace the outgoing Dash 8-100s. However, they were very prominent through the 2000s, especially the Bowling Shoe colors. Most were repainted into subsequent liveries, like NWA’s final livery and Delta colors before being retired altogether, but based off research the Bowling Shoe was the most common and even co-existed with the new Delta colors for a time.

Well done. Just curious, is that Delta 737-200 in the widget scheme behind the United 737-300 a Gemini N331DL?

 

[JJ Skippy]

Now we have everything from the 1970s and before. There are many things I have yet to get from these eras, however I do not plan to reach these eras for at least a couple of years, but having a good head start never hurts.

First is this North Central Convair 580. I found this on an eBay listing for a good price; later on, I found that the same guy was selling a DC-9-30 which sold the same day I got the Convair. I have a Series 50 already, which I can substitute in if needed. North Central repainted their planes in the early 70s which removed the gold trim, as it was expensive to maintain. I had found an AC Convair 340 model but lost out on that auction, so hopefully I can find one of those in the future.

Next up are two Western models, my first in the collection. First is the L-188 Electra. These operated to FSD for much of the 1960s, and were the largest aircraft to operate to FSD at the time. I do wish more airlines had the Electras to FSD, like Braniff, as the Gemini release is lovely. However, this Western made by Aeroclassics is a good fit, and I’m happy with this acquisition. The other model is a DC-6. Western began service in 1955; around that time, they operated the DC-3s and Convair 240s. Towards the end of the decade and into the 60s, Western began sending the Sixes to FSD, while the bigger and faster jets took over the glamorous routes, like the Champagne Flights. Western did not begin sending jets to FSD until the late 1960s with the Boeing 720Bs.

And there you have it! All my models for Retro FSD from this holiday season. I am so grateful for all these models and am very fortunate to be in this position with Retro FSD. 2023 is gonna be great for this project, I can feel it!

 

[JJ Skippy]

Well done. Just curious, is that Delta 737-200 in the widget scheme behind the United 737-300 a Gemini N331DL?

That is. Check out the second-latest post.