Flight Testing, The DC-10 Twin

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

In 1975 McDonnel Douglas proposed a twin engined variant of their successful DC-10 Trijet, It would have a greatly forshortened fuselage and the rear enging would be deleted. It was aimed at the short /Meduim haul high density routes where a larger aircraft was not needed, Airbus had recently come on the scene with the A300 and the proposed A310 that was aimed exactly at the same market niche. The DC-10 Twin aroused a lot of interest and as it had a large commonality with the Trijet it was felt that the crossover of crews would be a lot easier, further predictions indicated that it's lower weight would in fact give a longer range than previously expected which would make it very competitive with the A300. Unfortunately it was also percieved that it would eat into the Trijets popularity and as that was a good seller the project was shelved, McDonnel Douglas left the market wide open for Airbus to dominate the big twin market fo many years. The project resurfaced with the MD-11 but by then the company was in serious trouble and were taken over by Boeing, they immediately squashed the project as it would have competed head on with their own 767. It remained therefore a "might have been". This model is one created by the ever prolific JR Lucariny. Here we see the aircraft doing cold weather test flights in Alaska, A region where this aircraft would have been ideal..

On the ramp at Fairbanks, PAFA

starting the engines

departure

climbing out

setting course for Anchorage

over the Alaskan Mountains

heading south

Starting descent

downwind for Anchorage

turning over Cook Inlet

lining up for PANC

about to touchdown

rolling out

on the gate at Anchorage/Stevens airport

Finally, This pic is good impression of how the aircraft would have looked, the author has carefully photoshopped the new tail onto the DC-10 Trijet as she appeared when she visited Heathrow. The strange thing is is that I was actually at the airport when it came in and somewhere I have a 35m print of the "Real" aircraft when it was being inspected in the BOAC Maintainance area with a view to a possible customer. My pic is very similar to this only it has all 3 engines!

[snowingairlines 0]

Great Pics, where did you get the plane?

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

Thanks Snow, got it at WWW.Simviation.com, It's an FS2004 model by JR Lucariny. Heres a link to it.

http://simviation.com/1/search?submit=1&keywords=DC-10+twin&categoryId=

[mutley 4,498]

Super pictures and info Al, I wasn't even aware of this aircraft.

[remingtonbox 18]

It looks a lot like an Airbus A300... Interesting idea

[SEATAC 400]

Nice pics Alan. If only McDonnell Douglas had survived. They made some truly great aircraft. They had even planned to make a double-decker out of the MD-11 at one point. Before Airbus made theirs.

The MD-12. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_MD-12

[charlie 6]

Great job Al.

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

Nice pics Alan. If only McDonnell Douglas had survived. They made some truly great aircraft. They had even planned to make a double-decker out of the MD-11 at one point. Before Airbus made theirs.

The MD-12. http://en.wikipedia....l_Douglas_MD-12

I remember seeing details of this thing when it first emerged, an awesome looking beast, far better looking than the A380. It was real shame when the company had to merge with Boeing, they had some great ideas, I know it was a case of merge or die but I really wish they had survived alone. To this day I still think the MD11 was one the most striking looking airliners ever built.

[SEATAC 400]

Essentially McDonnell Douglas did die. At least the commercial aviation part of it did. Boeing killed off the MD80/MD90 as soon as they filled the outstanding contracts and they killed of the MD11 pretty quickly also. All that is left really is the defense contract side of it.

[hurricanemk1c 195]

Nice shots Alan - some of them look like press shots!