Douglas World Cruiser

Douglas · United States · first flew 1923 · transport aircraft

The Douglas World Cruiser was a modified version of the Douglas DT torpedo bomber, purpose-built for the US Army Air Service's 1924 around-the-world flight. Four aircraft set out; two completed the first circumnavigation of the globe by air.

Recognition (WEFT)

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Spot it by:

• First aircraft to circumnavigate the globe, 1924
• Single-engine open-cockpit biplane on floats or wheels
• US Army Air Service world-flight expedition aircraft

An open-cockpit single-engine biplane identifiable by its large single Liberty engine, interchangeable float/wheel gear, and association with the 1924 circumnavigation; provided dimensions in the source were corrupt (feet values) and have been corrected.

Specifications

• The Douglas World Cruiser has a length of 10.92 m (36 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 15.24 m (50 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 166 km/h (103 mph).
• Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The World Flight of 1924 departed Seattle on 6 April with four DWCs named Seattle, Chicago, Boston, and New Orleans. The Seattle and Boston were lost to accidents, but Chicago and New Orleans completed the 27,550-mile journey in 175 days. It was a landmark achievement in aviation history.

Variants

The DWC was a direct adaptation of the Douglas DT-2 torpedo bomber with enlarged fuel capacity; interchangeable float and wheel undercarriages were fitted at different legs of the journey.

Where you'll see it

Used solely for the 1924 world flight by the US Army Air Service. The surviving aircraft are preserved in US aviation museums.

Related aircraft

• Douglas DT-2
• Douglas C-1
• Douglas Cloudster
• Douglas DT
• Aero A.26
• Farman F.120
• Fokker C.IV
• Fokker T.III

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