Douglas Dolphin
Douglas Aircraft Company · United States · first flew 1930 · transport aircraft
The Douglas Dolphin was an American twin-engine amphibious biplane designed to carry passengers and VIPs, with a hull for water operations and retractable wheeled undercarriage for land use. It served both civil and military operators.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Parasol high-wing biplane with strut-mounted engines above the fuselage/hull |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine amphibious flying boat biplane from the early 1930s
- Parasol high-wing biplane with strut-mounted engines above the fuselage/hull
- Boat hull with stabilising floats and retractable wheeled undercarriage
Recognisable by its biplane parasol wing with engines mounted atop struts, a broad boat hull, and a conventional tail on a raised tailboom. The retractable gear wheels stow into the hull sides.
Specifications
- The Douglas Dolphin has a length of 13.74 m (45 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 18.29 m (60 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 240 km/h (149 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 crew plus 8 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1930, the Dolphin attracted US military orders as a transport and utility amphibian. The US Army Air Corps, US Navy, US Coast Guard, and US Marine Corps all operated examples. A handful were also sold to civilian customers, including a much-publicised VIP transport for private owners.
Variants
Several variants existed designated for different operators: the USAC Y1C-21/26, USN RD-1 through RD-4, and USCG variants. Passenger configuration and engine fits varied.
Where you'll see it
Served with the US Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps through the 1930s. Civilian examples were used as executive transports. Retired from US military service before WWII.
Related aircraft
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