Classic Jetliners: The Douglas DC-8

The Douglas DC-8 was a widely recognized and celebrated commercial airliner that bore a resemblance to the Boeing 707. It was a popular choice among airlines worldwide, including Philippine Airlines, and was instrumental in introducing the carrier to the jet age. Let’s delve deeper into the fascinating history and design of the Douglas DC-8.

What is the Douglas DC-8?

The Douglas DC-8 is a legendary aircraft that made its first appearance in the skies in 1959, and it was a game-changer for the aviation industry. This aircraft was the first jet-powered transport manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company, and it entered service simultaneously with United Airlines and Delta Air Lines on September 18, 1959. The DC-8 was powered by four jet turbine engines that made it capable of flying at speeds of more than 600 mph (966 km/h), and in a test dive, it became the first commercial transport of any kind to break the sound barrier.

The DC-8 was designed to compete with other jet-powered airliners of the time, including the Boeing 707 and the Convair 880.

Over the course of its production run, which lasted from 1959 to 1972, the DC-8 went through seven major variants, each with different engine and seating configurations. The DC-8 Series 20, 30, and 40 models were the first to use more powerful turbojet engines, while the Series 50 introduced more efficient turbofan engines and increased range.

The DC-8 Series 60 was the longest variant, with a fuselage that was nearly 37 feet longer than the original model. In an all-economy passenger configuration, the DC-8-61 could carry up to 259 passengers, while the convertible-freighter configuration had a cargo volume of over 12,000 cubic feet.

The DC-8 was operated by numerous airlines around the world, including American Airlines, Pan American World Airways, and Japan Airlines. It was also used as a military transport aircraft by the United States Air Force.

Brief History of the Douglas DC-8

The Douglas DC-8 was a pioneering jet-powered transport aircraft that revolutionized air travel in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The development of the DC-8 began in 1952, just a few years after the first jet airliners entered service. Douglas Aircraft Company saw an opportunity to create a jet-powered airliner that would offer superior performance and comfort compared to the first-generation jets.

The DC-8’s design was based on the highly successful DC-7 piston-powered airliner. It featured four turbojet engines mounted under the wings, a swept-back wing design, and a distinctive nose cone that housed the aircraft’s radar and navigation equipment. The first DC-8 prototype made its maiden flight on May 30, 1958.

The DC-8 entered commercial service with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines on September 18, 1959, just a few months after the first Boeing 707 began flying passengers. The DC-8 was initially offered in three variants: the DC-8-11, DC-8-12, and DC-8-14. These early models had a maximum range of around 3,800 km (2,400 miles) and could carry between 105 and 131 passengers.

Over the next few years, Douglas continued to develop and improve the DC-8, introducing new variants with longer range, increased seating capacity, and more powerful engines. The DC-8-20 series, for example, featured more efficient Pratt & Whitney JT3C engines, which allowed for a maximum range of up to 4,300 km (2,700 miles). The DC-8-30 series, introduced in 1960, added even more powerful engines, enabling the aircraft to fly nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean.

In 1962, Douglas introduced the DC-8 Series 50, which was the first to be powered by the new, more efficient turbofan engines. The Series 50 was also offered in a convertible passenger-freight version, as well as a windowless all-freight version.

Douglas continued to refine and improve the DC-8 throughout the 1960s, introducing longer variants like the DC-8-61 and DC-8-63, which could carry up to 259 passengers and had a maximum range of around 7,200 km (4,500 miles). In 1967, the DC-8-61 and -63 were superseded by the DC-8 Series 70, which featured more powerful CFM56 engines and increased range.

In total, Douglas built 556 DC-8s between 1958 and 1972. The aircraft was operated by airlines all over the world, including major carriers like Air Canada, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM, and Scandinavian Airlines. The DC-8 was also used by the military, serving as a transport aircraft for the U.S. Air Force and NASA.

Numerous Variants

During its 14-year-long production run, the DC-8 went through seven major variants, resulting in a total of 556 aircraft. The basic domestic version of the DC-8 was the Series 10, which had increased fuel capacity for intercontinental flights. The Series 30 and 40 were the first to use the 17,500-pound-thrust (7938-kilogram-thrust) turbojet engines.

The Series 50 was a significant upgrade to the DC-8, as it was the first to be powered by new, more efficient turbofan jet engines with 18,000 pounds (8165 kilogram) thrust and longer range. Moreover, the Series 50 was also the first to be offered to customers in the convertible passenger-freight version or the windowless all-freight version.

The DC-8 Series 60 extended the length of the fuselage, making it nearly 37 feet (11 meters) longer than the original model. In an all-economy passenger configuration, the DC-8-61 could carry 259 people. Its convertible-freighter configuration had a cargo volume of 12,535 cubic feet (3820 cubic meters). The DC-8-62, designed for extra-long routes, had a fuselage stretched 6 feet 8 inches (2 meters) longer than the original model and 3-foot (91-centimeter) wingtip extensions.

DC-8 Specs

DC-8 Series 10:

• Length: 150 ft 6 in (45.87 m)
• Wingspan: 142 ft 5 in (43.41 m)
• Height: 42 ft 4 in (12.90 m)
• Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW): 276,000 lb (125,190 kg)
• Range: 3,800 mi (6,115 km)
• Cruising speed: 540 mph (870 km/h)
• Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney JT3C turbojets
• Seating capacity: 177-189 passengers

DC-8 Series 20:

• Length: 150 ft 6 in (45.87 m)
• Wingspan: 142 ft 5 in (43.41 m)
• Height: 42 ft 4 in (12.90 m)
• MTOW: 276,000 lb (125,190 kg)
• Range: 4,050 mi (6,515 km)
• Cruising speed: 540 mph (870 km/h)
• Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney JT4A turbojets
• Seating capacity: 124-135 passengers

DC-8 Series 30:

• Length: 151 ft 11 in (46.30 m)
• Wingspan: 142 ft 5 in (43.41 m)
• Height: 42 ft 4 in (12.90 m)
• MTOW: 310,000 lb (140,614 kg)
• Range: 4,400 mi (7,081 km)
• Cruising speed: 562 mph (904 km/h)
• Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney JT4A turbojets
• Seating capacity: 165-177 passengers

DC-8 Series 40:

• Length: 153 ft 7 in (46.80 m)
• Wingspan: 142 ft 5 in (43.41 m)
• Height: 42 ft 4 in (12.90 m)
• MTOW: 315,000 lb (142,882 kg)
• Range: 4,500 mi (7,242 km)
• Cruising speed: 562 mph (904 km/h)
• Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney JT4A turbojets
• Seating capacity: 167-189 passengers

DC-8 Series 50:

• Length: 157 ft 8 in (48.06 m)
• Wingspan: 142 ft 5 in (43.41 m)
• Height: 42 ft 4 in (12.90 m)
• MTOW: 325,000 lb (147,417 kg)
• Range: 5,500 mi (8,851 km)
• Cruising speed: 579 mph (932 km/h)
• Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney JT3D-1 turbofans
• Seating capacity: 152-173 passengers

DC-8 Series 60:

• Length: 187 ft 4 in (57.10 m)
• Wingspan: 148 ft 5 in (45.22 m)
• Height: 43 ft 3 in (13.18 m)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 315,000 lb (142,880 kg)
• Range: 5,940 nautical miles (10,998 km)
• Passenger capacity: up to 259

DC-8 Series 61:

• Length: 187 ft 4 in (57.10 m)
• Wingspan: 148 ft 5 in (45.22 m)
• Height: 43 ft 3 in (13.18 m)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 315,000 lb (142,880 kg)
• Range: 4,130 nautical miles (7,648 km)
• Passenger capacity: up to 259

DC-8 Series 62:

• Length: 193 ft 5 in (58.96 m)
• Wingspan: 148 ft 5 in (45.22 m)
• Height: 43 ft 3 in (13.18 m)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 350,000 lb (158,760 kg)
• Range: 5,250 nautical miles (9,720 km)
• Passenger capacity: up to 189

DC-8 Series 63:

• Length: 187 ft 4 in (57.10 m)
• Wingspan: 148 ft 5 in (45.22 m)
• Height: 43 ft 3 in (13.18 m)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 315,000 lb (142,880 kg)
• Range: 4,900 nautical miles (9,070 km)
• Passenger capacity: up to 259

DC-8 Series 70:

• Length: 187 ft 4 in (57.10 m)
• Wingspan: 148 ft 5 in (45.22 m)
• Height: 43 ft 3 in (13.18 m)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 315,000 lb (142,880 kg)
• Range: 5,950 nautical miles (11,020 km)
• Passenger capacity: up to 259

All design improvements of the DC-8-61 and -62 were incorporated in the DC-8-63. The -63 could fly more than 4,500 miles (7242 kilometers) nonstop, carrying 259 passengers due to its extended fuselage, aerodynamic improvements to nacelles, pylons, and flaps, increased wingspan, and fuel capacity.

The DC-8 Series 70 was a re-engined version of the popular Super 60 Series. It substituted CFM56 engines for the latter’s Pratt & Whitney engines, resulting in an aircraft that retained the Super 60 operating weights but with a longer range due to the newer, more fuel-efficient turbofans. The Series 70 was also able to meet later, more stringent noise regulations that were implemented in the 1980s.

DC-8 Design

The Douglas DC-8 was an innovative aircraft for its time, featuring several unique design elements that set it apart from its competitors.

One of the most notable features of the DC-8 was its four Pratt & Whitney JT3C turbojet engines, which gave the aircraft impressive speed and range capabilities. The engines were mounted under the wings in a distinctive “pod” design, which helped to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency.

Another key design feature of the DC-8 was its advanced wing design, which featured a unique “supercritical” airfoil shape that helped to reduce drag and improve lift at high speeds. The wing was also equipped with leading-edge slats and trailing-edge flaps, which could be extended or retracted as needed to improve the aircraft’s performance in different flight conditions.

In addition to its advanced aerodynamics, the DC-8 also featured a spacious and comfortable interior, with a wide cabin and large windows that provided passengers with excellent views of the surrounding scenery. The aircraft could be configured to carry anywhere from 50 to 259 passengers, depending on the specific model and seating arrangement.

Other design features of the DC-8 included a fully-pressurized cabin, which allowed the aircraft to fly at high altitudes and avoid turbulence, and advanced avionics systems that provided pilots with critical flight information and helped to ensure safe and efficient operation of the aircraft.

Despite the introduction of newer, more advanced aircraft, the DC-8 remained in service for several decades. In 1995, more than 300 DC-8s were still operational, making more than 340 scheduled flights a day. However, as the aviation industry progressed, newer and more efficient aircraft gradually replaced the DC-8, and by January 2013, only 36 DC-8s remained in service worldwide, according to Aviation Week Intelligence Network’s Fleet Database.

The Douglas DC-8 was a technological marvel in its time, and its legacy endures to this day. Its groundbreaking design and engineering paved the way for a new era in commercial aviation, and it set the standard for modern jet-powered aircraft. Although the DC-8 may no longer be a common sight in the skies, its impact on aviation history is undeniable.