iscover
Profile – Douglas DC-8
0 comment
Douglas DC-8
Part I
The 1950s ushered in a new type of passenger transport that changed the face of air travel forever and with which the world became intently fascinated.
The Europeans initiated the rush toward jet airliners with the likes of the British Comet and the Soviet Tu-104. The Europeans themselves had some success in the early years, before the American influence became strong, then finally overwhelming. The jets on offer from Douglas and Boeing soon came to dominate the world’s markets. The domination of the market became so complete that even the French and British bought Boeing. The European manufacturers were overwhelmed and left way behind by the American advancement. To understand the situation, it is to be remembered that the piston engined aircraft was in its prime. In fact even when the first jets were flying the skies of Europe, Canadian Pacific Air Lines inaugurated a polar route – from Sydney to Amsterdam, via Vancouver – with a Douglas DC-6B. Ironically this was also just days before Douglas announced that they would build a new jet airliner.
The reasons why the jet age swept in as early as it did came down to two basic points. The first being that wartime aeronautical talent was channelled into civilian projects and secondly that manufacturers had the courage to risk millions of dollars, pounds and francs into ventures which by any standards were considered significant risks, even when subsidised.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
