Douglas DC-1
Douglas · United States · first flew 1933 · airliner
The Douglas DC-1 was the prototype ancestor of the famous DC-2 and DC-3 airliners, the first of Douglas's revolutionary all-metal twin-engine transport family. The source dimensions (1828 m length, 1706 m wingspan) were clearly corrupt and have been corrected to known values of 18.29 m and 25.91 m.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 18.29 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- First of the famous Douglas DC airliner series
- Twin-engine low-wing all-metal monoplane
- Only one example ever built — direct predecessor to DC-2
Very similar to the DC-2 but slightly smaller; distinguished by its single tail fin, twin radial engines in NACA cowlings, and the characteristic Douglas tapered wing of the era.
Specifications
- The Douglas DC-1 has a length of 18.29 m (60 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 25.91 m (85 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 338 km/h (210 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed in response to a TWA requirement for a three-engine transport following the crash of a Fokker Trimotor, the DC-1 first flew on 1 July 1933. Only one was built, as Douglas immediately developed the improved DC-2 for production. The single DC-1 was sold to TWA, set coast-to-coast speed records, and later served in Spain during the Civil War.
Variants
The DC-1 was a unique prototype; the DC-2 was the direct production development, followed by the iconic DC-3.
Where you'll see it
The sole DC-1 flew for TWA before being sold to Iberia in Spain, where it was damaged and written off during the Spanish Civil War.
Related aircraft
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