Although only one prototype was ever built, the Douglas DC-1 became the blueprint for the Douglas DC-2 and the Douglas DC-3 one of the most successful aircraft in the history of aviation. Following the crash of a TWA Fokker F-10 trimotor on March 31, 1931, after the wooden structure of one wing failed, the US Department of Commerce placed restrictions on planes with wooden wings.
To address this, on February 8, 1933, Boeing introduced its all-metal twin-engine Boeing 247. Built exclusively for United Airlines. Unable to purchase the Boeing 247 for its fleet Trans World Airlines (TWA) approached the Douglas Aircraft Company and asked them to build a similar all-metal aircraft. TWA stipulated that the plane had to have three engines and a range of over 1,000 miles and be able to cruise at 150 miles per hour.
Douglas was reluctant but built a prototype anyway
Despite fears that he would be able to recoup the production cost, Donald Douglas put forward a twin-engine plane like the Boeing 247. With a heated cabin and insulated against noise, the DC-1 prototype outperformed what TWA was looking for and was able to take off and land using just one engine.
At the time, the DC-1 was the most advanced aircraft with a streamlined fuselage, variable-pitch propellors, and retractable landing gear. With plush passenger seats, a kitchen, and a toilet, the DC-1 set the standard for passenger comfort.
The DC-1 prototype made its maiden flight on July 1, 1933, and then underwent 200 test flights during six months of trials. Douglas could see immediately that its new airliner could outperform other planes of the day, like the Ford and Fokker Trimotors.
TWA wanted a larger plane
Able to carry 12 passengers, two more passengers than the Boeing 247, the DC-1 set a new transcontinental speed record on February 19, 1934, when it flew from Los Angeles, California, to New York City in 13 hours and five minutes. During the flight, the aircraft achieved speeds of 180 miles per hour.
TWA took delivery of the plane on September 15, 1933, after a few modifications were done. These included adding two more seats and fitting the plane with more powerful engines. Very happy with its new aircraft, TWA placed an order with Douglas for 25 larger aircraft. Designated the DC-2, the Douglas Aircraft Company manufactured 198 DC-2s between 1934 and 1939. The plane went on to become the world-famous DC-3 which was a workhorse during the Second World War.
The sole DC-1 prototype was sold many times before ending up in Spain, where the Spanish Republican Air Force used it during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The plane served with the Spanish national flag carrier Iberia after the war. On October 4, 1940, the aircraft made a forced landing in Malaga and was damaged beyond repair.
Douglas DC-1 characteristics and general specifications:
- Crew: 2 pilots
- Capacity: 12 passengers
- Length: 60 feet
- Wingspan: 85 feet
- Height: 16 feet
- Wing area: 942 square feet
- Empty weight: 11,780 lbs
- Gross weight: 17,500 lbs
- Powerplant: 2 × Wright SGR-1820F3 Cyclone 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 690 hp (510 kW) each
- Propellers: 3-bladed variable-pitch metal propellers
Performance
- Maximum speed: 210 mph
- Cruise speed: 190 mph
- Range: 1,000 miles
- Service ceiling: 23,000 feet