Douglas DC-5
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| DC-5/C-110/R3D | |
|---|---|
 US Navy Douglas R3D-2 |
|
| Type | Transport |
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| Designed by | Donald Douglas |
| Maiden flight | 20 February 1939 |
| Introduced | 1940 |
| Retired | 1949 |
| Primary users | KLM U.S. Navy U.S. Marine Corps |
| Number built | 12 |
The Douglas DC-5, the least well-known of the famous DC airliner series, was a 16-seat, twin-propeller aircraft intended for shorter routes than the DC-3 or DC-4. However, by the time it entered commercial service in 1940, many airlines were canceling orders, consequently, only five civilian DC-5s were ever built. With the Douglas Aircraft Company already converting to war production, the DC-5 was soon overtaken by events, although a limited number of military variants were produced.
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[edit] Design and development
The Douglas DC-5 was developed as a 16/22 passenger civilian airliner, with a high wing and innovative tricycle landing gear (unique for the time). One prototype and four production aircraft were constructed prior to World War II.
[edit] Operational service
Ironically, the prototype (configured with just eight seats) became the personal aircraft of William E. Boeing; since his own company was already in full military production mode. It was later impressed into the Navy and converted for military use as an R3D variant.
The other four planes were sold to KLM and used by their colonial subsidiaries. They were used to evacuate civilians from Java to Australia in 1942. One aircraft, ex-PK-ADA was captured by the Japanese and operated as a transport, in camouflage with Japanese markings. Two of them later operated in Australia and, in 1948, the last surviving DC-5 was apparently smuggled to Israel for possible military use.
[edit] Variants
- DC-5
- Basic passenger version - 5 aircraft were built.
- C-110
- Designation of single aircraft in USAAF service.
- R3D-1
- Military version of the DC-5 built for the Navy as 16-seat personnel carriers - 3 were produced.
- R3D-2
- Military version of the DC-5 built for the US Marine Corps as 22-seat paratrooper version - 4 were produced.
- R3D-3
- Designation of prototype of DC-5 used by Willam E. Boeing as a personal aircraft and converted for military use.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Military operators
- Israeli Air Force operated one DC-5.
- Imperial Japanese Army Air Force operated one captured Dutch DC-5.
- United States Army Air Force operated one C-110.
- United States Navy operated three R3D-1.
- United States Marine Corps operated four R3D-2.
[edit] Civil operators
- KLM received four DC-5.
- Boeing operated one R3D-3.
[edit] Specifications (DC-5)
General characteristics
- Crew: six
- Capacity: 16-22 passengers
- Length: 62 ft 6 in (19.05 m)
- Wingspan: 78 ft (23.77 m)
- Height: 19 ft (6.05 m)
- Wing area: 824 ft² (76.55 m²)
- Empty weight: 13,680 lb (6,202 kg)
- Loaded weight: 20,000 lb (9,072 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Wright GR-1820-F62 Cyclone radials, 850 hp (635 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 227 mph (325 km/h)
- Range: 1,600 mi (2,575 km)
- Service ceiling 23,700 ft (7,225 m)
[edit] See also
Related lists
- List of civil aircraft
- List of military aircraft of the United States
- List of military aircraft of the United States (naval)
[edit] References
- Pearcy, Arthur. Douglas Propliners: DC-1 – DC-7. London: Airlife, 1995. ISBN 1-85310-261-X.
[edit] External links
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