When Transmeridian introduced the DC-8 Mike Keegan bought an ex Aliatalia DC-8 (RR Conway powered) which only had 200 hours left on it. Bought very cheaply, it was used for crew training and then stripped of serviceable components and left by the fire station. Not before however a “company jolly” outing took place - a day trip to Ostend. TFK took the left hand seat himself IIRC.
The TMAC engineers reckoned it was in tremendous nick and had high praise for Alitalia engineering.