Douglas DC-8

Similar to the Boeing 707 Douglas’ first jet airliner was produced in lower numbers than its rival. A total of 556 was built between 1958 and 1972. But because of fuselage stretching and a later re-engine program the DC-8 is still popular with cargo airlines today.

For the modelplane two nacelle variants are available, either the nacelle of the old JT3B or of the newer CFM56 on the DC-8-71, -72 and -73. The long and thin fuselage of the stretched variants is looking very elegant in the air. The plane is easy to fly and an engine failure is also not a dramatic problem.

Powerplant:   Glow:                four  6.5  to  7.5 cc  (.40  to  .45 cu.in.)  engines

                          Turbine:           twice  50 N  (11 lbs.)  thrust

                                                     four times  25 N  (5.5 lbs.)  thrust

                          Ducted Fan:   diameter up to  105 mm  (4.1’’)    (series 71, 72, 73 only)

Specifications:

Span              Length                Wing Area                 Weight

DC-8-50      2.71 m  (107’’)     2.87 m  (113’’)    104.7 dm²  (1623 sq.in.)    12.5 kg  (28 lbs.)

DC-8-61      2.71 m  (107’’)     3.57 m  (141’’)    104.7 dm²  (1623 sq.in.)      13  kg  (29 lbs.)

DC-8-71      2.71 m  (107’’)     3.57 m  (141’’)    104.7 dm²  (1623 sq.in.)      14  kg  (31 lbs.)

DC-8-72      2.83 m  (111’’)     3.00 m  (118’’)    106.2 dm²  (1646 sq.in.)    13.5 kg  (30 lbs.)

DC-8-73      2.83 m  (111’’)     3.57 m  (141’’)    106.2 dm²  (1646 sq.in.)      14  kg  (31 lbs.)

Pics:

(Norbert Rauch)

(Norbert Rauch)

back