Douglas DC-2 1940-1941

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Narrative: Douglas DC-2 1940-1941

First Douglas aircraft to join the Delta fleet.

First Delta airplane in which passengers and crew could stand erect when walking through the cabin.

Passengers boarded and exited on ramps pushed up to the DC-2. Earlier and shorter Delta aircraft only required step stools.

The larger size of the DC-2 required the addition of a new crew member—a flight attendant—called a “stewardess” at the time.

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Aircraft Make & Model:

Douglas DC-2-120

MTOW:

18,560 lbs.

Range:

1,000 miles

Speed:

170 mph

Seats:

14 passengers

Length:

62 ft.

Wingspan:

85 ft.

Height:

16 ft.

Engines:

2 Wright Cyclone

HP or Thrust:

710 hp

No. flown by DL:

4 purchased used from American Airlines

RoutesFlown:

Ft. Worth, Texas, to Charleston, South Carolina (Air Mail Route 24)

First Delivery:

February 4, 1940

First Scheduled Service:

March 16, 1940 (March 15, 1940 inaugural postponed due to engine issue on eastbound flight and CAA delay of westbound flight)

Reason Aquired:

Carried four more passengers and up to 80% larger payload than the Lockheed 10 Electra.

Last Retirement:

1941

Reason Disposed:

Sold to British Purchasing Commission for wartime use in early 1941.