Douglas Mailplane
Douglas · United States · first flew 1925 · transport aircraft
The Douglas Mailplane was a single-engine biplane built by the Douglas Aircraft Company in the mid-1920s for the US airmail service. It carried mail and, in some configurations, a passenger in an enclosed forward compartment.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.81 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 1920s US airmail biplane
- Liberty or Wright radial engine in open nose
- Open cockpit with mail compartment forward
A conventional single-bay biplane with an open cockpit and a large forward fuselage compartment for mail. The Liberty or Wright radial engine is mounted in a nose installation with a simple ring cowling or open cylinders.
Specifications
- The Douglas Mailplane has a length of 8.81 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.9 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 217 km/h (135 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed as Douglas's entry into the lucrative airmail market following the Kelly Air Mail Act of 1925, the Mailplane was designed to be robust and reliable for point-to-point mail operations across the United States. A small number were produced and operated by early contract carriers.
Variants
Minor variations existed in engine fit and cabin arrangements, but the type was not developed into distinct named sub-variants.
Where you'll see it
The Douglas Mailplane served US airmail contractors during the late 1920s before being superseded by more capable monoplane designs.
Related aircraft
- Douglas C-1
- Douglas DT-2
- Douglas World Cruiser
- Douglas Cloudster
- Aero A.23
- Amiot 120
- Boeing Model 40
- CANT 6
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