Douglas DC-8 Super 63
Douglas · United States · first flew 1967 · airliner
The DC-8 Super 63 combines the stretched fuselage of the Super 61 with the aerodynamically improved wing of the Super 62, producing the highest-capacity and best long-range performance of the DC-8 family.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turbofan, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Same 57.1m stretched fuselage as the Super 61, combined with the aerodynamically refined wing of the Super 62 — the best-performance combination in the DC-8 family |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Same 57.1m stretched fuselage as the Super 61, combined with the aerodynamically refined wing of the Super 62 — the best-performance combination in the DC-8 family
- Wing features extended leading-edge root fillets and redesigned tips giving 1.8m greater span (45.2m) than the Super 61's unmodified wing (43.4m)
- Four JT3D turbofans; higher MTOW than Super 61 due to structural reinforcement for the longer-range mission; no winglets
At ground level, the 57.1m fuselage matches the Super 61 but the wing is slightly longer-span and features a different leading-edge root profile; the distinction from the Super 61 is subtle and most easily confirmed by wingspan measurement or markings.
Specifications
- The Douglas DC-8 Super 63 has a length of 57.1 m (187 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 45.2 m (148 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 945 km/h (587 mph).
- Typical crew: 3 flight crew.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flying in April 1967, the Super 63 entered service with KLM and became the definitive production DC-8 variant, with 107 aircraft delivered. It offered operators the passenger volume of the Super 61 with the superior range of the Super 62, making it attractive to international carriers.
Variants
Re-engined examples became the DC-8-73, fitted with CFM56-2 turbofans for dramatically improved fuel economy and reduced noise, extending the type's useful life well into the 1990s and beyond as freighters.
Where you'll see it
Widely operated by international airlines including KLM, Alitalia and Iberia; freighter conversions flew for cargo operators including UPS and Airborne Express through the 2000s.
Related aircraft
- Douglas DC-8 Super 61
- Douglas DC-9-20
- Douglas DC-9-30
- Douglas AC-47 Spooky
- BAC One-Eleven 500
- Boeing 727-200
- Boeing 737-100
- Boeing 737-200
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