DC8

The DC-8 is a four-engine jet airliner designed and built by Douglas Aircraft Company in the 1950s. It was developed to compete with the Boeing 707 and helped establish the viability of early jet transport for civil aviation. The DC-8 entered service in 1959 with Delta Air Lines and grew into a family of variants that offered different fuselage lengths and ranges. Production continued until 1972, with a total of 556 aircraft built.

Design and variants: The DC-8 is a low-wing, four-engine airliner. Early versions, such as the DC-8-10, -20, -30, and -40, used turbojet engines and were configured for short- to medium-haul routes. Later, the "Super 60" family (for example DC-8-61, -62, -63) introduced longer range and higher weight variants, while some models were adapted for freighter operations.

Operational history: The DC-8 saw widespread service with major airlines around the world. It faced stiff competition from the Boeing 707 and gradually exited most passenger service by the 1990s, though a significant number continued as cargo aircraft into later years. The DC-8 also served in non-commercial roles; NASA operated a DC-8 as an airborne laboratory for research flights over several decades.

Legacy: The DC-8 contributed to the early jet age expansion of civil aviation and demonstrated the viability of four-engine, long-range airliners. It was produced in numerous derivatives and remains a notable part of aviation history.