Widebody Aircraft Parade

McDonnell Douglas DC-10 - Description

The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a medium- to long-range aircraft for up to 380 passengers. The DC-10 design emerged from the middle 1960s as the first Douglas widebody aircraft design and answer to the Boeing 747. After studying several engine positions, Douglas decided to put the third engine in a straight duct in the tail, instead of in an elegant S-shaped duct like on the competing Lockheed L-1011 TriStar. This offered the advantage that only few modifications were necessary to install different engine types. The TriStar was available only with the Rolls-Royce RB.211.

First flight of the DC-10 was in August 1970 and the first airline to introduce the DC-10 was American Airlines on August 5th 1971 between Los Angeles and Chicago.

Although about thirty years in service, the DC-10 is still operating passenger services all over the world. Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines still operate large fleets, and many smaller airlines do.

Nowadays the DC-10 is, more than the TriStar, becoming popular as a freighter. More and more aircraft are converted. The biggest user of freighter aircraft is Federal Express. Former American and United aircraft are modified into MD-10 aircraft, with a completely new two-crew cockpit, like the MD-11 has.

Four main civil versions of the DC-10 were built, plus one military variant. Those versions were:

DC-10-10
The DC-10-10 was intended for domestic medium-range services, for example US coast-to-coast flights. This version was powered by General Electric CF6-engines.

DC-10-15
The DC-10-15 was a version for hot-and-high airports like Mexico City. Main users were Mexicana and Aeromexico. It entered service in 1981. The aircraft had the DC-10-30 fuselage and the DC-10-10 wingspan.

DC-10-30
The DC-10-30 was designed for intercontinental long-range routes and powered by General Electric CF6-engines. This was the most popular DC-10 version, which was also available as freighter and convertible.

DC-10-40
The DC-10-40 was identical to the DC-10-30, apart from the engines. The DC-10-40 was powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D Engines.

KC-10 Extender
The KC-10 Extender was the military tanker and transport variant in service with the US Air Force.

Including 60 Extenders a total of 446 DC-10 aircraft has been built.