The McDonnell Douglas DC-8-73 is one of the variants of the magnificent DC-8 narrow-body airliner built by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It was a straightforward conversion of the -60 series powered by CFM56-2 turbofan engines.

Manufacturer:
McDonnell Douglas
Country:
United States
Manufactured:
1969 to: 1988
ICAO:
DC87
Price:
US$10 million (1998)
Avionics:
Dual Collins VHF 21D, HF 628T-1 , TDR-94D
Engine:
4x CFM 56-2 C6
Turbofan
Power:
22,000 pound-force
Max Cruise Speed:
488 knots
904 Km/h
Approach Speed (Vref):
145 knots
Travel range:
4,500 Nautical Miles
8,334 Kilometers
Fuel Economy:
Service Ceiling:
42,000 feet
Rate of Climb:
2200 feet / minute
11.18metre / second
Take Off Distance:
3050 metre - 10,006.44 feet
Landing Distance:
2000 metre - 6,561.60 feet
Max Take Off Weight:
161,027 Kg
355,000 lbs
Max Landing Weight:
124,739 Kg
275,000 lbs
Max Payload:
48,826 Kg
107,642 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity:
24,260 gallon
91,834 litre
Baggage Volume:
70 m3 / 2,472 ft3
Seats - Economy / General:
259 seats
Seats - Business Class:
Seats - First Class:
Cabin Height:
2.21 metre - 7.25 feet
Cabin Width:
3.5 metre - 11.48 feet
Cabin Length:
50 metre - 164.04 feet
Exterior Length:
57 metre - 187.01 feet
Tail height:
13.1 metre - 42.98 feet
Fuselage Diameter:
3.74 metre - 12.27 feet
Wing Span / Rotor Diameter:
43.4 metre - 142.39 feet
Wing Tips:
No Winglets

The McDonnell Douglas DC-8 was the glamour intercontinental airline of its day. From the Series 10 to Series 50, until the Super Series 60 and 70 emerged, the American manufacturing company never ceased to develop the magnificent DC-8 into an airliner that marked the history.

After the Series 50 of the DC-8, Douglas made further developments in the airliner with the Super Series versions. In April 1965, the first Super Series designated as the Super 60 was announced to the public. In the early 1980s, McDonnell Douglas started a re-engining program of the Super 60 series aircraft equipped with more powerful engines. Designated as the Super 70, the new series was proposed with the quieter and more fuel-efficient CFM56 high-bypass turbofan engines.

In August 1981, the first converted airframe conducted its maiden flight. There were three produced conversions of the Super 70 designated as the DC-8-71, DC-8-72, and DC-8-73. These were straightforward conversions of the previous DC-8-61, DC-8-62, and DC-8-63 series, mainly incorporating the replacement of the previous JT3D engine with a more fuel-efficient CFM56-2 engine. The new conversion also features newer nacelles and pylons designed by Grumman Aerospace, and fairing of the air intake under the nose.

The DC-8-73 is powered by four CFM56-2 turbofan engines which produce a maximum thrust of 22,000 lbf each. The aircraft can cruise at speeds of 488 knots within a 4,500 nautical mile range. It has a service ceiling of 42,000 feet and a rate of climb of 2,200 feet per minute.

The DC-8-73 has an exterior length of 57 meters, an exterior height of 6.8 meters, a tail height of 13.1 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 3.74 meters. It has a wingspan of 43.4 meters and a wheelbase of 20.6 meters. The aircraft is designed to accommodate 259 passengers in its 50-meter long, 3.5-meter wide, and 2.21-meter high cabin.

In 1982, the DC-8-73, together with the DC-8-71 and DC-8-72 received its type certification. There were 110 Super 60 series converted into Super 70s. In 1988, the program has ended.

All McDonnell Douglas Aircraft

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