WHBM
AE's first and perhaps not well known orders (perhaps even just MofU's) for wide bodies goes way back to the very early 80's when they had a deal with BA for leasing back and buying aircraft - hence the ref to an order for a RR 747-200B (a -236?)
re the MDD order for a DC-10 30 again in 1980 or thereabouts the DC-10 was still in production
the AE MD11 orders came much later in 1989 for a 93 delivery with RR power