Monospar ST4
1933-40s

Arquivo VASP / Arquivo FLAP

The Monospar was VASP first aircraft. Two of them had already been bought even before the company officially exist. With them VASP held its first two flights, from Campo de Marte airport (Sao Paulo) to Ribeirao Preto and Uberaba and to Sao Carlos and Rio Preto. The Monospar were baptized "Bartolomeu" (VASP 1) and "Edu Chaves" (VASP 2).
While most airlines at this time commenced operations with seaplane, VASP was the first airline in Latin America to operate a fully terrestrial plane.
Initially Vasp used  Campo de Marte Airport, but was soon forced to build it own space. That's when VASP created "Vasp's Field", which became Congonhas Airport (Sao Paulo).
At the time of Monospar, the Brazilian commercial aviation was called "heroic phase", where pilots were guided by the railroad tracks and the weather was dictated by the peak of Jaragua: if it was covered the flights were canceled. But despite the difficulty, passenger demand grew rapidly and Monospar were too small. It was then VASP began to seek new aircraft to expand its fleet.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: General Aircraft
Engines: 2xPobjoy Niagara
Maximum capacity: 1 pilot + 3 passengers
Cruising speed: 120 km/h
Prefixes: PP-SPA and PP-SPB
Total Aircraft Operated: 2

De Havilland Dragon DH-84
1934-1939

SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: De Havilland
Engines: 2x I Gipsy Major 4 cylinder
Length: 10.52 m, wingspan: 14.42 m, height: 3.08 m
Operational ceiling: 4420m
Range: 877km
Maximum Capacity: 2 pilots + 10 passengers
Cruising speed: 180 km/h
Reg'n: PP-SPC
Total operated: 1

Junkers JU-52/53
1936-1947

Ed Coates

JU-52/53 was the first model acquired by VASP after being privatized. It was also the first model that was not of from UK. The first two were built in August 1936 and inaugurated the route Rio-São Paulo, Brazil's busiest route. One took off from Congonhas airport in São Paulo, and the other from Santos Dumont in Rio de Janeiro, simultaneously. The Junkers PP-SPD was the aircraft that inaugured Congonhas airport at 8:40 a.m. 5 August 1936, towards Rio de Janeiro.
In September 1937 received it third JU-52 and doubled frequencies between Rio and SP. The fourth came in 1939. And two others, who had been ordered in 1936, only arrived in 1944 due the Second World War. The War brought great difficulty to Vasp, as almost its entire fleet consisted of German aircraft and it was no longer possible to import spare parts. It was also not possible to buy new aircraft, as all manufacturers were focused on producing military aircraft. Vasp then began to manufacture parts for its JU-52 aircraft in Brazil. The strategy was so successful that the company also exported to other Latin American countries that operated the JU-52.

With the Junkers Vasp expanded its lines to the Midwest, South and Belo Horizonte. Vasp's Junkers had an ashtray for each seat and passengers could smoke anywhere on the aircraft. Each seat also had a ventilation system and individual lights. The passenger cabin had a small bar. The seats were grenat leather and the walls and ceiling were light beige.
With the arrival of the DC-3s, the Junkers began to be retired. The first ones withdrawn from operation were the PP-SPE and PP-SPG. In October 1947, the PP-SPH made the last flight of Junkers on Vasp, between São Paulo and Marília.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Junkers
Wingspan: 29.25 m
Length: 18.90 m
Height: 4.50 m
Maximum capacity: 3 crew + 17-21 passengers
Cruising speed: 250 km/h
Range: 998 km
Total Aircraft Operated: 7

Douglas DC-3/C-47
1946-1965

After World War II, Vasp began to acquire American DC-3 aircraft. The first four, PP-SPL, PP-SPO, PP-SOK and PP-SPP, arrived in 1946 and thirteen more before 1950. The DC-3s replaced the Junkers and quickly became the company's flagship aircraft. With the DC-3s, Vasp was able to increase the frequencies of its routes and expand its network to the North of Northeast Brazil.
With the arrival of more modern aircraft in the fleet of competitors, Vasp began to study the acquisition of new aircraft. In the 1950s, the DC-3s began to be replaced by Saab 90s.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Douglas
Length: 19m
Wingspan: 29 m
Height: 5m
Engines: 2x Pratt & Whitney R-1830
Maximum take-off weight: 11 tons
Speed: 330km/h
Maximum capacity: 26 to 28 passengers
Total Aircraft Operated: 29

Scandia SAAB90A-2
1950-1969

VASP operated ALL units built, even the prototype! Vasp opted for Scandia mainly because it can take off from Santos Dumont airport without restriction and also for its low price against Convair 240. The first (PP-SQC) arrived in Brazil in June 21, 1950. The last Scandia made its last flight on July 24, 1969 in the route São Paulo - Londrina - Maringá - São Paulo. The last Scandia performed its last flight on July 24, 1969, on the São Paulo - Londrina - Maringá - São Paulo route.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: SAAB
Length: 21.3 m Wingspan: 28m Height: 7.1 m
Engines: 2xPratt Whitney R-2180 Twin Wasp-E1
Maximum Capacity: 24 to 32 passengers
Cruising speed: 390 km/h
Maximum range: 2400 km
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 16.000kg

Total operated: 18

Vickers Viscount 700 / 800
1958-1969

The Viscounts were the star of the company's fleet in the 1960s and made Vasp the first airline to operate a turboprop aircraft in Brazil. Called a "jet" in advertisements at the time, the Viscount flew faster and higher than the piston aircraft of the time, making travel more comfortable. Vasp chose Viscount to modernize its fleet, until then formed by DC-3 and Scandia. The company placed an initial order for five V-827 model. The first unit, PP-SRC, arrived in October 1958. Three more units arrived in 1958. The last unit, PP-SRG, arrived in January 1959. However, in November 1959, the PP-SRG suffered a fatal accident. To replace it, Vasp ordered another unit, PP-SRH, received in October 1960.

The Viscount was a great success among passengers, bringing new features such as a pressurized cabin, greater speed and music on board. The Viscount were the most modern aircraft on domestic flights until the introduction of the Caravelle in 1959. After the acquisition of Loide, Vasp began a process of standardizing the fleet and received ten more Viscount units, but these were 700 series, for fewer passengers. All of them were flying at the European company BEA before coming to Vasp. All were received throughout 1963.

The 800 and 700 models became known in Brazil as "Vaicão" and "Vaiquinho", respectively. The Viscount 700 replaced the Scandia on the Rio-São Paulo route and were the last models on this route before the Electra II monopoly. In addition Viscount operated to Porto Alegre, Northeast region, on São Paulo - Brasília and Rio de Janeiro - Manaus route, the last on being done in just one day thanks to the higher speed of the Viscount.

In the late 60's Viscount 700 fleet would need to undergo heavy maintenance, which would generate high expenses. Vasp then decided to retire the aircraft. The first units went out of operation in February 1969. The last unit, PP-SRI, left the fleet permanently in April 1970. The Viscount 800 remained in Vasp's fleet until 1975, when they were permanently retired. PP-SRC, PP-SRF and PP-SRH were sold to Pluna. PP-SRD, PP-SRE, PP-SRG, PP-SRM, PP-SRQ and PP-SRR suffered fatal accidents. The others were donated, dismantled or abandoned.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Vickers-Armstrongs
Speed: 566 km/h
Maximum range: 2790 km
Passenger: 56 (700) / 85 (800)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 32786 kg

Total operated: 10 (700) / 6 (800)

Curtiss C-46 Commando / Douglas DC-4 / Douglas DC-6
1962-1977(C46 and DC4) / 1962-1977(DC6)

DC-4

DC-6 C-46

After the acquisition of Lloyd Aereo Group in January 7, 1962 VASP incorporated new types to it fleet: eight Curtiss C-46, eight DC-4 and four DC-6. DC-4 and C-46 were operated by VASP for only eight years, while the DC-6 remained at the end of the 70s.

Total operated: 14 (C46) / 8 (DC4) / 4 (DC6)

BAC 1-11 e NAMC YS11 "Samurai"
1967-1973 e 1967-1977

In the transition from turbo-prop to jet Vasp acquired  two BAC 1-11 and eight YS11 and four Boeing 737-200. With the acquisition of these aircrafts, Vasp could serve 32 cities. VASP's YS-11 were known as "Samurai" due its Japanese origin.

BAC 1-11
Engines: Rolls-Royce Spey Mk 511-14 RB.163
Cruising speed: 882 km/h
Passengers: 60

NAMC YS-11
Length: 26.3 m Wingspan: 32m Height: 8.99 m
Engines: 2x Rolls-Royce Dart Mk.542-10K
Cruising speed: 454 km/h
Passengers: 74

Total operated: 2 (BAC) / 9 (YS)

Boeing 737-200
1969-2005

In 1974 Vasp received five more units and also acquired four used aircraft from PSA and the first freighter version, PP-SMW, from Southwest, but returned the PP-SMD, totaling 18 B737s in the fleet. The last units directly from the factory arrived in 1975, PP-SNA and PP-SNB, and in 1976, PP-SNC and PP-SND. In 1976 Vasp Boeing 737-200 fleet reached its peak, with 23 units operated simultaneously, the largest fleet in South America and one of the largest in the world at the time. The Boeing 737-200 became the main aircraft in the fleet and synonymous of Vasp. Some units could be easily converted to transport passengers or cargo, depending on the need.

In the 80's, Vasp acquired five more units. However four units suffered fatal accidents (PP-SMX, PP-SMY, PP-SNC and PP-SME) and three units were returned over the decade. In 1985 PP-SME was the first aircraft to with the company's new visual identity.

During the 1990s, with the privatization of the company, Vasp brought thirteen more used 737-200s until 1999. However, PP-SND and PP-SMV suffered fatal accidents. In 2003 PP-SPJ also suffered a fatal accident. In addition six units left the fleet by the end of 1992, more two in 1993 and one in 1999.

After the troubled privatization, Vasp did not have the resources to renew the fleet, which remained the same. In 1999 Vasp changed the internal configuration of the 737-200, making it more comfortable, with only 107 seats in a single class. In 2004 DAC prevented most of the company's fleet from operating due to lack of maintenance. Vasp's fleet was reduced to just six 737-200s, which remained in service until the company ceased operations in February 2005. The Boeing 737-200 was also operated by VaspEx. The company even operated four Boeing 737-200 freighters, the first airline to operate a Boeing 737 freighter in Brazil.

Length: 30.53 m
Wingspan: 28.30 m
Height: 11.28 m
Engines: 2x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-17
Speed: 780 km/h
Range: 2900-3700 km
Max weight takeoff: 49,442 kg
Settings used: 96 or 105 or 107 or 112 or 118 (one class)
Loading capacity: 15 tons
Total Aircraft Operated: 44

Embraer EMB-110 "Bandeirante"
1973-1976

Total operated: 10
Length: 15.33 m
Wingspan: 15.10 m
Height: 4.92 m
Engines: 2x P&W Canada PT6A-34F
Cruising speed: 341 km/h
Passengers: 14-16

Registry             Model                  Status
PP-SBA                EMB110C              Tam
PP-SBB                EMB110C              Tam
PP-SBC                EMB110C              Tam
PP-SBD                EMB110C              Exteme Taxi Aéreo
PP-SBE                EMB110C             
PP-SBF                EMB110C              Taf
PP-SBG                EMB110C              preserved (Museu da Tam)
PP-SBH                EMB110C              Tam
PP-SBI                EMB110C               Embraer
PP-SBJ                EMB110C               Oeste Redes Aéreas

Boeing 727-200
1975-2005

The Boeing 727 was the initial option to replace the BAC 1-11, but the idea was to order Boeing 727-100 models. Only in 1975 Vasp acquire the high-performance Boeing 727-200Adv (Advanced). The first two units, PP-SNE and PP-SNF, arrived in March 1977 and were the first version 200 operated in Brazil. The 727s were the company's largest jets until the arrival of the A300 and operated on high demand and long routes such as São Paulo - Brasília - Manaus. The company was supposed to receive two more units in 1978, but cancelled the order.

In 1979 Vasp leased two Boeing 727-100 freighters from Evergreen, registered PP-SRY and PP-SRZ. They left the company's fleet in 1980 and 1981, respectively. However, in 1980, Vasp ordered more units for passengers, receiving four units in the same year. In 1980, Vasp also acquired two used 727s from Singapore, operating 8 Boeing 727-200s simultaneously. With the new units, flights with the B727 were expanded to Rio de Janeiro and the capitals of the northeast region.

In 1982, with the arrival of the A300, Vasp began retire its Boeing 727. The first to leave the fleet was the PP-SMK, still in 1982. In 1984 more two were withdrawn. The last unit, PP-SNJ, remained in the fleet until April 1989. In 1996 Vasp returned to operate with Boeing 727, but this time with the cargo version, which operated in the colors of VaspEx. The first two units were received in 1996. In 1997 more two units were received. However, in 2000, two units were returned. The two remaining 727Fs stayed with VaspEx until the company's end n 2005.

Total Aircraft Operated: 14
Length: 46.69 m
Wingspan: 32.92 m
Height: 10.36 m
Maximum take-off weight: 95 tons
Speed: 965 km/h
Range: 3500-4700 km
Passengers: 152-154

Airbus A300B2
1982-2005

The inaugural flight was on São Paulo - Brasília - Manaus route and during the flight there was a parade of the company's new uniforms. The aircraft also operated São Paulo - Rio de Janeiro - Recife - Fortaleza - Teresina - São Luis - Belém route. For the first time in the company had First Class, in addition to an on-board telephone. The A300 was one of the largest aircraft to operate at Congonhas Airport and inaugurated the company's new visual identity, with various shades of blue. However, the new paint was short-lived and was replaced in 1985.

The three planes flew on the company's main national routes, serving cities such as Porto Alegre, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza, Brasília and Manaus. The aircraft also flew on the São Paulo - Buenos Aires route. During the 1980s Vasp also used the A300 for charter flights to Aruba, Orlando, Miami, Bariloche and Curaçao.

In 2002 PP-SNL ceased due to lack of maintenance. PP-SNM stopped operating in 2004 and PP-SNN also stopped soon after. All A300s remained parked until the company went bankrupt.

Total operated: 3

Length: 53.60 m
Wingspan: 44.84 m
Height: 16.53 m
Engines: 2x GE CF6-50-C2
Speed: 970 km/h
Range: 2700 km
Passengers: 214 (26+188) or 234 (two classes) or 240 (26+214) (two or one class)
Maximum take-off weight: 165 tons

Boeing 737-300
1986-2005

In 1990 Vasp was privatized and the fleet expanded rapidly, reaching 20 Boeing 737-300 units in 1991. But as fast as it expanded, the fleet shrank abruptly in 1993 when the company was forced to return several aircraft for leasing non-payment. VASP intention was to acquire more units and replace Boeing 737-200, but the airline went in financial crisis and had no money to renew its fleet.

Total operated: 26

Length: 33.40 m
Wingspan: 28.90 m
Height: 11.10 m
Maximum take-off weight: 62 tons
Engines: 2x CFMI CFM56
Speed: 800km/h
Range: 3000-4700 km
Passengers: 132, 134 or 136

Boeing 737-400 / Douglas DC-8-71F
1991-1993 / 1991-1993

Total operated: 3
Passegers: 156

The DC-8 were leased for cargo in 1993, but they were returned after lease non-payment.

Total operated: 3

Douglas DC-10-30
1991-1992 / 1997-1998

Total operated: 4
Passengers: 255 or 265 (three classes)

McDonnel Douglas MD-11
1992-1999

The last units arrived in 1996: PP-SPL in January, PP-SFA in June and PP-SFD in November. As a result, the company were operating nine MD-11s simultaneously and launched flights to Frankfurt and Osaka. In 1998 PP-SPM left the fleet and was transferred to KLM.

In 1999 the company, which was in financial difficulties, was forced to return all MD-11s due to leasing non-payment and, as a consequence, canceled all long-haul flights. The first two to leave were PP-SOW and PP-SOZ in February, and Vasp was forced to terminate flights to New York and Toronto. On May 24, the last four MD-11s still in operation PP-SPK, PP-SPL, PP-SFA and PP-SFD were returned.

Length: 61.20 m
Wingspan: 57.70 m
Height: 17.60 m
Maximum take-off weight: 286 tons
Speed: 900 km/h
Range: 12600-13400 km
Passengers (first class + business class + economy class): 1x 293 (16+56+221), 1x 297 (18+19+260 or 37+260), 1x 318, 7x 325/326 (10+21+294) , 1x 375 (49+326)
Total Aircraft Operated: 10