Douglas DC-10-30
Douglas · United States · first flew 1972 · airliner
The DC-10-30 is the long-range intercontinental variant of the DC-10, adding a centre main gear bogie, extended wing and more powerful engines to serve transoceanic routes from the DC-10-10's domestic configuration.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 3 × turbofan, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Additional two-wheel centre main landing gear bogie under the fuselage centreline — absent on the DC-10-10, this is the clearest external differentiator between variants |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Additional two-wheel centre main landing gear bogie under the fuselage centreline — absent on the DC-10-10, this is the clearest external differentiator between variants
- Three engines: two under-wing and one in the tail-base S-duct above the rear fuselage; higher-thrust GE CF6-50 or P&W JT9D engines for intercontinental range
- Wing span extended to 50.4m (vs 47.3m on DC-10-10) with winglets on some aircraft; longer range tanks increase fuel capacity for transoceanic routes
The centre main bogie under the fuselage belly is the definitive recognition feature distinguishing the -30 from the -10; the three-engine layout with S-duct tail engine is shared by all DC-10 variants and distinguishes the type from twin-engine widebodies.
Specifications
- The Douglas DC-10-30 has a length of 55.5 m (182 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 50.4 m (165 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 908 km/h (564 mph).
- Typical crew: 3 flight crew.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The DC-10-30 first flew in June 1972 and entered service with KLM and Swissair. Douglas developed it in parallel with the basic DC-10-10 to address airline demand for a widebody capable of North Atlantic and Pacific routes. The centre gear was required to distribute the increased MTOW across runway pavement.
Variants
The DC-10-30CF (convertible freighter) and -30F (dedicated freighter) extended the type's utility; the DC-10-30ER offered additional fuel for even greater range. The military KC-10 Extender is directly derived from the -30.
Where you'll see it
Operated extensively by KLM, Lufthansa, Swissair, Air New Zealand and many others on intercontinental routes; the type saw wide military service as the KC-10; freighter versions remain active with operators including Omni Air.
Related aircraft
- Douglas DC-9-50
- Douglas DC-9-20
- Douglas DC-8 Super 63
- Douglas DC-8 Super 61
- Airbus A300
- Boeing 747-200
- Sud Aviation Caravelle 12
- VFW 614
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