The Douglas DC-2, manufactured by the renowned American company Douglas Aircraft Company from 1934, is an airliner with a capacity of 14 passengers and twin engines.
It served as a competitor to the Boeing 247.
In 1935, Douglas introduced an enhanced variant known as the DC-3, which went on to achieve remarkable success and establish itself as one of the most accomplished aircraft in aviation history.
During the early 1930s, concerns regarding the reliability of wooden aircraft structures prompted the US aviation industry to pioneer all-metal airliners.
United Airlines secured exclusive rights to the all-metal twin-engine Boeing 247, while rival TWA sought an all-metal trimotor based on their own specifications.
However, the response from Douglas was considerably more groundbreaking.
On July 1, 1933, the DC-1 prototype took flight, showcasing a sturdy tapered wing, retractable landing gear, and two powerful 690 hp (515 kW) Wright radial engines equipped with variable-pitch propellers.
This innovative aircraft had a seating capacity of 12 passengers.
Douglas test pilot Carl Cover conducted the inaugural test flight of the DC-2 on May 11, 1934.
This aircraft, which surpassed its predecessor, the DC-1, in terms of length and engine power, featured a spacious cabin capable of accommodating 14 passengers within its 66-inch-wide space.
TWA became the first customer to order the DC-2, placing an order for twenty of these aircraft.
The design of the DC-2 impressed both American and European airlines, leading to additional orders.
Although Fokker had acquired a production licence from Douglas for $100,000, no manufacturing took place in the Netherlands.
Instead, European customers such as KLM, LOT, Swissair, CLS, and LAPE purchased DC-2s through Fokker, which were then built and flown by Douglas in the United States.
These aircraft were shipped to Europe with their wings and propellers detached and were assembled by Fokker near the seaport of arrival.
Airspeed Ltd. also obtained a licence to deliver DC-2s in Britain and designated them as Airspeed AS.23.
However, despite reserving a registration for one aircraft, no DC-2s were actually built by Airspeed.
The Nakajima Aircraft Company in Japan also acquired a licence and went on to build five aircraft, in addition to assembling at least one aircraft manufactured by Douglas.
In total, 130 civil DC-2s were constructed, with an additional 62 built for the United States military.
Military Variants
The United States Army Air Corps utilised modified DC-2s under various military designations.
XC-32 The DC-2-153 was a single aircraft equipped with two 750 hp (560 kW) Wright R-1820-25 radial piston engines.
It was designed for evaluation as a 14-seat VIP transport.
Only one was constructed, and it was subsequently utilised by General Andrews as a flying command post.
C-32A The designation for the 24 commercial DC-2s impressed into service at the start of World War II is C-32A.
C-33 The DC-2-145 is a cargo transport variant of the C-32, equipped with two 750 hp (560 kW) Wright R-1820-25 engines.
It features enlarged vertical tail surfaces, a strengthened cabin floor, and a sizable cargo door in the rear fuselage.
A total of 18 units were constructed.
YC-34 The DC-2-173 and DC-2-346 served as VIP transports for the Secretary of War, comparable to the XC-32 and subsequently designated as C-34; two units were constructed.
C-38 The initial C-33 underwent modifications, receiving a DC-3-style tail section and a pair of Wright R-1820-45 radial piston engines, each producing 975 hp (727 kW).
Initially designated as C-33A, it was later reclassified as a prototype for the C-39 variant, with one unit constructed.
C-39 The DC-2-243 is a 16-seat passenger variant, combining elements of the DC-2 and DC-3, featuring a C-33 fuselage and wings, with a DC-3-style tail, centre section, and landing gear.
It is equipped with two Wright R-1820-45 radial piston engines, each producing 975 hp (727 kW), for a total of 35 units constructed.
C-41 The only C-41 served as a VIP aircraft for Air Corps Chiefs Oscar Westover and his successor, Hap Arnold.
Despite being ordered as a C-39, it was actually a DC-3-253 equipped with two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-21 engines, each producing 1,200 hp (890 kW).
C-42 The DC-2-267 is a VIP transport variant of the C-39, equipped with two Wright R-1820-53 radial piston engines, each delivering 1,000 hp (750 kW).
One was constructed in 1939 for the Commanding General of the GHQ Air Force.
Additionally, in 1943, two C-39s were similarly modified, with their cargo doors permanently sealed.
R2D-1 Three DC-2-125s and two DC-2-142s, each powered by a 710 hp (530 kW) Wright R-1820-12 engine, were built for transport duties akin to the XC-32.
The United States Navy received three of these aircraft, while the United States Marine Corps took delivery of two.
Specifications
DC-2
Crew
Two-three
Capacity
14 passengers
Length
61 ft 11.75 in (18.8913 m)
Wingspan
85 ft 0 in (25.91 m)
Height
16 ft 3.75 in (4.9721 m)
Wing area
939 sq ft (87.2 m2)
Airfoil
Root
NACA 2215
Tip
NACA 2209
Empty weight
12,408 lb (5,628 kg)
Gross weight
18,560 lb (8,419 kg)
Powerplant
2 × Wright GR-1820-F52 Cyclone,
9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine,
775 hp (578 kW) each
Propellers
3-bladed variable-pitch metal propellers
Performance
Maximum speed
210 mph (340 km/h, 180 kn) at 8,000 ft (2,400 m)
Cruise speed
190 mph (310 km/h, 170 kn) at 8,000 ft (2,400 m)
Range
1,000 mi (1,600 km, 870 nmi)
Service ceiling
22,450 ft (6,840 m)
Rate of climb
1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s)
Wing loading
19.8 lb/sq ft (97 kg/m2)
Power/mass
0.082 hp/lb (0.135 kW/kg). Sources
McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company 1st 75 Years Aviation Book-McDonnell Douglas.
McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920, Volume 1-René J Francillon.
San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive.
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
Douglas DC-2-DC-1, DC-2, DC-2K, R2D-1, C-32, C-32A, C-33, C-34, C-38, C-39, C-42-4+ Publication No. 4+018-Stanislav Dudek, Michal Ovčáčík, Karel Susa.
The Douglas DC-1/ DC-2/ DC-3, 75th Anniversary Edition, Volume 3-Jennifer Gradidge.
