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| A Brief History of Douglas Aircraft's Project 2067
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A DC-9 Prototype:
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On June 15, 1959 Douglas Aircraft publicly announced a scaled down version of the DC-8 jetliner which was designed to replace the Douglas DC-6B propliner for shorter haul routes which the DC-8 would not be economical to operate. |
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This new aircraft was initially named Project 2067 and later would become the Douglas DC-9 - if enough orders were obtained from the airlines to justify beginning production. |
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During that time period, Douglas was looking for approximately 75-100 orders before starting production. |
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Because of it's resemblance to the DC-8 it was also known as the "Mini DC-8." |
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Project 2067 would utilize many of the same systems and components as the larger DC-8 but would have a reduced range and passenger capacity with smaller Pratt & Whitney engines to make it more economical to operate on these shorter routes of 2500 miles or less. |
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Also there were some other features added to this aircraft to make it more efficient in operating the short haul routes.
Unfortunately, this aircraft was proposed at a time when most of the airlines were absorbing the costs of phasing in their DC-8s and 707s and at the same time, these new jets were displacing the relatively new DC-7s & DC-6s which could then be reassigned to the shorter haul routes. |
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JRLucariny Mini DC-8 PANEL Thus the airlines were under no pressure to replace these propliners for jetliners until there were definite cost advantages in doing so. |
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By the end of 1961, with no orders on the books, and with Boeing launching the 727 tri-jet with similar performance characteristics but less costs due to one less engine, Douglas terminated Project 2067 and the DC-9 would not come into being until a few years later with two instead of four engines. |
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This project was named Project 2086 with two versions competing for the DC-9 designation. |
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DIMENSIONS & SPECIFICATIONS LENGTH: 103 Feet (31.39 Meters) WINGSPAN: 94 Feet (28.65 Meters) INTERIOR DIMENSIONS: Length - 71 Feet (21.64 Meters) Width - 124 Inches (315 Centimeters) Height - 81 Inches (206 Centimeters) |
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MAXIMUM TAKEOFF WEIGHT: 120,000 Pounds (54,431.04 Kilograms) CRUISING ALTITUDE: 35,000 Feet (10,668 Meters) CRUISING SPEED: 520-580 Miles Per Hour (837-933 Kilometers Per Hour) RANGE: 2500 Miles (4023 Kilometers) at Max. Takeoff Weight POWER PLANT: Pratt & Whitney JTF10A-1 Fan Jet THRUST PER ENGINE: 8250 Pounds (3,752 Kilograms) Static Thrust |
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WING CONFIGURATION: 30 Degree Sweep-Back with Control & Stabilizing Systems Similar to the DC-8. However, the Addition of High Lift Leading Edge Slats Which Would Allow Shorter Take-off and Landing Distances. COCKPIT ARRANGEMENT: Same as the DC-8. PASSENGER CONFIGURATION/CAPACITY: All First Class: 68 Passengers in Four Abreast Seating* All Coach Class: 96 Passengers in Five Abreast Seating* * Both Configurations Using Douglas "Palomar Unitized" Seats, as in the DC-8, with the Passenger Service Units (light, air vent, flight attendant call button) located inside the seat next to each passenger, rather than above the seats. |
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ADDITIONAL FEATURE: |
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