Mid Size Passenger Jets
Douglas DC-8-51
ICAO: DC85
Overview
The Douglas DC-8-53 was part of the Series 50 generation introduced in the early 1960s. Designed to improve fuel efficiency and extend range over earlier variants, it helped airlines expand long-haul networks. The aircraft became a key jetliner of the intercontinental era.
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 4 × Pratt and Whitney JT3D-3B
- Engine type
- Turbofan
- Thrust
- 4 × 18,000 lbf · 80 kN
- Avionics
- —
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 189
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- 11 ft 6 in · 3.50 m
- Cabin height
- 7 ft 3 in · 2.21 m
- Cabin length
- 127 ft 11 in · 39.00 m
- Exterior length
- 150 ft 7 in · 45.90 m
- Tail height
- 43 ft 4 in · 13.21 m
- Fuselage diameter
- 12 ft 3 in · 3.74 m
- Wing span
- 142 ft 5 in · 43.40 m
- Baggage volume
- 1,391 ft³ · 39.4 m³
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 325,000 lb · 147,500 kg
- Max landing weight
- 240,000 lb · 109,000 kg
- Max payload
- 101,000 lb · 45,800 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 23,450 gal · 88,800 L · 71,100 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 483 kt · 556 mph · 895 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- 137 kt · 158 mph · 254 km/h
- Range
- 4,960 nm · 5,710 mi · 9,190 km
- Fuel burn
- —
- Ceiling
- 36,000 ft · 11,000 m
- Rate of climb
- 1,300 ft/min · 7 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- 9,850 ft · 3,000 m
- Landing distance
- 6,550 ft · 2,000 m
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Operational Context
Douglas DC-8-53 — long-range narrowbody jetliner
The DC-8 first flew in 1958, with the -53 variant entering service in 1961. This version incorporated more powerful turbofan engines and structural refinements compared with earlier models. Airlines adopted it for transcontinental and transatlantic routes as jet travel expanded rapidly.
Four Pratt & Whitney JT3D turbofan engines producing approximately 17,000 pounds of thrust (76 kN) each powered the aircraft. Cruise speed approached Mach 0.82. Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 315,000 pounds (142,882 kg), with typical seating for around 180 passengers.
The DC-8-53 contributed to the maturation of long-range jet operations in the 1960s. Many airframes were later converted to cargo use. The aircraft remains an important step in early jet transport development.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.