BIRTH OF A JET

Heat. Heat. [Applause] Look up to the new symbol of commercial [Music] aviation. For from Douglas, the most respected name in aviation, comes the newest transport in the pure jet field, the DC8 jetliner. Who am I? that can wait till later. My only purpose for the present is to relate to you some of the things I have seen, things I've known were going to happen. A great forward step into aviation's tomorrow has been made. It was inevitable. I want to tell you about the newest son of a distinguished family renowned for unequaled progress in the history of aviation. I should know. I'm an old friend of the families. You know the family best by its initials, DC Douglas Commercial. The family trademark DC made its first indelible impression in the remarkable history of flight with an all- metal low-wing monoplane, the DC1. Through the years, the Douglas family grew impressively large. The DC2, DC3, DC4, DC5, DC6, and the DC7. With this incomparable history, no wonder more people and more airlines fly Douglasbuilt aircraft. Nor am I overlooking Douglas's contribution to the military in jet flight, such as the research aircraft X3, the Navy's mighty the A4D, the Air Force's versatile B66 series, the incomparable F4D Skyray, holder of seven world speed records and there are many more. The jet age actually dawned right after World War II and the Douglas Aircraft Company already deeply engrossed in building aircraft for the defense of free nations began concentrating on jet power for the commercial field. With the advent of the Pratt and Whitney JT3 engine, Douglas engineers began pouring their vast experience into the development of a new transport design. As part of its development program, Douglas built this large manufacturing facility at Long Beach, California, the only factory designed exclusively for commercial jet construction. Inside the massive interior of the new plant, production line activity began to reflect the results of one of the most comprehensive, exhaustive research and development programs in the annals of aviation, bringing into reality a new aircraft embodying the latest ideas and discoveries in aerodynamics, in comfort, in safety, and in maintenance. Douglas aerodynamicists created the best subsonic wing yet developed for transport aircraft. Having a 30° sweep back, the DC8 wing spans 139 ft 9 in. of three spar construction. It passes through the fuselage to become an integral part of the DC8 to ensure maximum fatigue resistance and the optimum in structural integrity and safe design. Underwater pressure tests subjected the aircraft to pressure, landing and gust loads equivalent to 130,000 flights. In preparation for this birth of a jet, systems testing went far beyond that for any previous aircraft. Wind tunnel tests were conducted for a period of more than 5 years. There was thorough testing of the electrical generating system, the pneumatic air conditioning deicing and cabin supercharging system, the hydraulic power supply system, the complete engine pod with all systems and accessories, separate tests of individual components, structural proof tests of the wing, fuselage, and tail surfaces. In short, every component of the DC8 was thoroughly tested and developed to give jet flight a proven, dependable aircraft. Then on April 19, 1958, the world of aviation first welcomed its newest arrival. 6 years in the making, 6 years of research and development, the Douglas DC8 was now a reality. The sleek, graceful newcomer appeared capable of carrying on the proud Douglas [Music] name. Some of its DC predecessors were there, and these veterans of flight, these aircraft of experience, and of incomparable reputation seem to be giving this new member of the DC family a thorough appraisal. Douglas subjected its new aircraft to ground and flight test programs unprecedented in scale and thoroughess. For over a month, the Big Jetliner graced the runways at Long Beach in a variety of taxi runs and other test activities. Although twice the size of the famed DC7, this new aircraft of the jet age can be accommodated by any modern terminal, primarily because of a Douglas developed wheel arrangement on the main landing gear in which the aft wheels swivel. This giant transport weighing 300,000 lb, 150 ft 6 in in length, can turn through 180° in a radius of less than 90 ft. Load distribution on the wheels is such that special reinforcement of the runway is not required. Yes, the ground tests proved that the DC8 is quite a plane. The big moment, the moment of truth had arrived. It was time to try out the wings to learn the jetliner's characteristics and capabilities in flight. On May 30th, 1958, with an audience of thousands, the DC8 jetliner began its first takeoff run. As it picked up speed, aviation experts and sympathetic spectators alike knew that all the skill, the experience, and the reputation of the Douglas Aircraft Company was at the showdown stage. The liftoff was graceful, requiring less than a third of the runway. The DC8 jetliner was airborne. For commercial aviation, it marked the start of a new era in passenger flight. For more than 2 hours, the jetliner cruised the skies, and many a Southern Californian looked up to marvel at this new bird and listened to the new sound in the sky. The landing was smooth. This is Edward's Air Force Base, home for the jetliner as it undergoes a rugged, complete checkout both on the ground and in flight. So determined as Douglas to give commercial aviation a new concept in speed, comfort, economy, and dependability. a jet transport worthy of the name of Douglas that nine DC8s will participate in the test program. While the test phase is in progress, DC8s coming off the production line will be available for crew training, enabling the world's airlines to establish route operations at the earliest possible date. Douglas has an unmatched record of giving the air traveler the utmost in comfort. In the DC8 jetliner, all the company's knowledge and experience and the very latest in interior fabrics have been utilized to make the cabin a showcase. The interior decor depends upon the wishes of the airline operator. So too, the seating arrangement. The first class cabin contains from 118 to 122 seats. Tourist cabins contain up to 144 seats. The cabin volume of the DC8 is that of a three-bedroom and den house, roughly 13,000 cubic feet. Air scoops located beneath the nose of the plane supply air for the cooling system. By being positioned beneath the nose, the possibility of engine fumes entering the cabin is eliminated. The air is fed to four turbo compressors, supplying fresh air to all occupied areas. The plane's air conditioning system is of such magnitude that nine normal homes could be cooled by it simultaneously. Three years of research and development by Douglas acoustical engineers resulted in a device that muffles noise to satisfactory levels. While inside the plane, passengers will marvel at the absolute quiet as they speed to their destinations. Yes, new standards of quiet and comfort are now available to air travelers. and speed. Non-stop trans oceanic and transcontinental flights in all parts of the world can be made in less than half the time required for piston-powered or turborop types of engines. [Music] Through large sky view windows, passengers will experience the thrill of looking at the world from as high as 40,000 ft. At that altitude, the cabin is pressurized to a 6,700 ft altitude. Here is unsurpassed passenger comfort and for the world's airlines the maximum in operating economy. Oh yes, who am I? The name is dependability. Douglas and I have worked together for decades. In the DC8, you see the result of Douglas manufacturing skill combined with the experience gained through billions of successful transport air miles. With the utmost confidence of commercial aviation, Douglas, one of the biggest private financial ventures ever recorded, has opened new horizons for jetpowered flight. To the Douglas Aircraft Company, this is its proudest achievement in 38 years of designing and manufacturing aircraft. This birth of a jet, this DC8 jetliner.