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The Playboy jet: How Hugh Hefner traveled in style
In 1969, Hugh Hefner was the king of the world. His magazine empire was at its peak, and he was about to expand Playboy to 37 different countries. At the time, one quarter of all American college age men were buying his magazine - every single month.
So - what is a successful and flamboyant magazine publisher to do? Well, in the case of Mr. Hefner, he purchased himself a jet - a big jet.
On January 27, 1969, the McDonnell Douglas company finished production on a DC-9-32, and one month later, Hugh Hefner took delivery of N950PB, nicknamed "the Big Bunny".
This was no normal jet - despite the wild 60's, not many business owners had the creativity - or the money to invest in their own flying home away from home.
Shower, private entry and a movie theater
Even by today's private jet standards, N950PB was a very luxurious jetliner. A rear folding private entrance took Hefner directly to his private quarters with an elliptical bed. After a long flight, he could take a shower or get some work done in his conference room.
Passengers were also treated well!
Fellow passengers could relax in the bar or enjoy a movie on the big screen. Once everyone was in the mood, they could even dance in the "discotheque" complete with lights and an 8-Track deck.
Indeed - the DC-9-32 really was a bit of Playboy in the skies. The only thing missing was a swimming pool and bowling alley.
Hugh Hefner never made a secret about his love of beautiful women- and admitted that his many, many mile high club endeavors were just like they are on the ground - albeit with "better memories".
N950PB's flight crew members were obviously selected for their looks - but these were real professionals. The Jet Bunnies were all trained at Continental Airlines in LA where they'd learn inflight safety and food preparation.
From party plane to retirement
Originally, his plane was based at Purdue and was maintained by the aviation department of the University. Sadly, things started to go downhill for the magazine in the mid 70's, so the party plane was sold to Venezuela Airlines and reborn as "YV-19C". She then spent several years in storage.
In 1989, Aeromexico renamed her "Ciduad Juarez", repainted her and used her for domestic Mexican routes. The era of The Big Bunny came to an end in 2004 when she was finally retired for good.
[Photos from: Playboy.com]
Even by today's private jet standards, N950PB was a very luxurious jetliner. A rear folding private entrance took Hefner directly to his private quarters with an elliptical bed. After a long flight, he could take a shower or get some work done in his conference room.
Passengers were also treated well!
Fellow passengers could relax in the bar or enjoy a movie on the big screen. Once everyone was in the mood, they could even dance in the "discotheque" complete with lights and an 8-Track deck.
Indeed - the DC-9-32 really was a bit of Playboy in the skies. The only thing missing was a swimming pool and bowling alley.
Hugh Hefner never made a secret about his love of beautiful women- and admitted that his many, many mile high club endeavors were just like they are on the ground - albeit with "better memories".
N950PB's flight crew members were obviously selected for their looks - but these were real professionals. The Jet Bunnies were all trained at Continental Airlines in LA where they'd learn inflight safety and food preparation.
From party plane to retirement
Originally, his plane was based at Purdue and was maintained by the aviation department of the University. Sadly, things started to go downhill for the magazine in the mid 70's, so the party plane was sold to Venezuela Airlines and reborn as "YV-19C". She then spent several years in storage.
In 1989, Aeromexico renamed her "Ciduad Juarez", repainted her and used her for domestic Mexican routes. The era of The Big Bunny came to an end in 2004 when she was finally retired for good.
[Photos from: Playboy.com]
Filed under: History, Business, North America, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Rollando Mar 1st 2011 9:31AM
His Playboy Magazines were okay, Editorials, so, so. etc. The only thing I could not stand about Hugh Hefner, then and even now, he smokes that stupid pipe.
jaba Mar 1st 2011 11:13AM
You know he practiced in front of a mirror for hours as to how to grip that pipe in his mouth and which way would "look" better. Too bad he never developed throat or oral cancer. The world would have been a better place and some women may still have their dignity.
Gin Mar 3rd 2011 5:46AM
Indeed. Frikkin oldie just ruined so many women.
WILL Mar 1st 2011 10:11AM
Kitchy
Clark Mar 1st 2011 10:20AM
Everything has its place in time and Playboy had its run with Hef the envy of most of the world's men. Playboy tried to maintain an air of class in an ever escalating classless market (Penthouse, Hustler) with good articles and installment presentations of topical and controversial books like Lenny Bruce's "How to Talk Dirty and Influence people". At any rate, thanks for the fresh look at Barbie Benton, one of the classiest Playmmates of all time, and a personal favorite.
OahuSurfer Mar 2nd 2011 8:53PM
Where did you see Barbi Benton in relation to this vid from Hefner's daughter??
phyllis Mar 1st 2011 10:29AM
it's almost as stupid as him he is nothing but an old pig and he sure is ugly
mary Mar 2nd 2011 11:21PM
Barbi was the one who boarded the plane with Hef - I am not sure of dates, but they might have been married at that time.
Bernie Mar 1st 2011 10:44AM
How ironic. I was thinking about that plane just the other day. As an aviation buff, I've wondered whatever happened to it? I knew he sold it off years ago. That video was a hoot though. The swingin' 60s!
ron baker Mar 13th 2011 6:23PM
Playboy DC-9.> Well what it did was cause 2 of the largest airplane manufactures to merge. Douglas Aircraft Company,all Commerical,McDonnell Aircraft Company,all military aircraft.
I was working @ Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach California plant. And the Black Bunny DC 9 had been sitting on the tarmac with "no engines" for a few months along with many other DC 9's DC 8's NO engines. We could not purchase.
McDonnell aircraft in St Louis was getting all the engines they wanted for the military airplanes. The had priority over commerical.
They had a meeting and the 2 companys and joined together. McDonnell Douglas Aircraft company formed. We recieved engines,all we wanted in 2 weeks and delivered all the planes on the tarmac.
I worked for them (toolmaker) when a union was a union and pension was a pension. 37 years and get a check ever month. Laid 0ff 13 times in 37 years. Retired from the Apache Helicopters division.
In those days we all could go out and watch the new aircraft take off for the first time. We extended a DC8 60 feet in the middle body and we did not know if it would clear the Holiday Inn at the end of the Long Beach Runway. So they made everbody leave the Holiday inn for the first take off. It made it with room to spare.
Ronald Reagan visited our plant there many times during the tooling and fabrication of the First DC 10. He would ride around with Mr MAC on a golf cart.
In those days you had to take a 8 hour appitude test for tooling training.(know TRIG tables) If you were hired you worked 4 full years to advance to a journeyman. On the job training with a journeyman tooling crew. 5 cent raise automatic ever 16 weeks.
Hefner would visit the plant with a girlfriend and look at the the plane fab. He seemed kinda stuck up.
Okie in Arizona
jaba Mar 1st 2011 11:13AM
This brings a whole different meaning to the term, "COCKpit!" What a sleeze!.
Gia Mar 1st 2011 11:14AM
I'll never get why women like this man. To me he is the 'devil in carnate'...has no use for women except to exploit and use as sexual objects. While most men may envy him ( those with the maturity of a 12 year old boy) just think of the women in your life...how would you like them to be treated with zero respect?
On the other hand...if the women are stupid enough to be treated that way.
Survivorman Mar 3rd 2011 3:31PM
I'll never get why women like this man.
Answer: $$$
tim everett Mar 1st 2011 11:22AM
I was touring Europe on a motorcycle in 1971 and passed the plane at the airport outside Monaco. He was there for Princess Graces' 40th birthday. Looked very impressive sitting on the tarmac.
Tater Mar 5th 2011 5:38PM
Touring Europe in 1971 by motorcycle! I'm not sure who I envy more, Hef or you.
BudZo Mar 6th 2011 12:01PM
In the early '70s I got a tour of the Big Bunny when Hef loaned it to Sonny and Cher as their ride to Amarillo, Texas top do a concert. Am in the big airplane business for 50 years and the BB is one of the coolest private jets I have ever been in. Happy Con Trails
bob Mar 1st 2011 11:41AM
when one attempts to live the life he did then, the mind goes back, the body remains.
Frank Mar 3rd 2011 2:40AM
I wonder if the old fool has deluded himself into thinking the young bride he took recently is with him for anything for the money.
Steve Mar 2nd 2011 9:20PM
Who cares!? I wouldn't!
balinwire Mar 1st 2011 1:22PM
What great memories, The time when bunnies were classy and the world was Hughs to pick.
Our country is like this plane was in the 70's, down and out and being sold to foreign enterprises.
I miss the world, the people and the centerfolds.
I hope we can recover from this debt and become the free nation of people who can come up from nothing and build huge companys.