DC-9.com
MODEL 2067 (Mini DC-8)
On June 15, 1959 Douglas Aircraft publicly announced a scaled down version of the DC-8 jetliner which was designed to replace the Douglas DC-6B propliner for shorter haul routes which the DC-8 would not be economical to operate. This new aircraft was initially named Project 2067 and later would become the Douglas DC-9 - if enough orders were obtained from the airlines to justify beginning production. During that time period, Douglas was looking for approximately 75-100 orders before starting production. Because of it's resemblance to the DC-8 it was also known as the "Mini DC-8." Project 2067 would utilize many of the same systems and components as the larger DC-8 but would have a reduced range and passenger capacity with smaller Pratt & Whitney engines to make it more economical to operate on these shorter routes of 2500 miles or less. Also there were some other features added to this aircraft to make it more efficient in operating the short haul routes. Unfortunately, this aircraft was proposed at a time when most of the airlines were absorbing the costs of phasing in their DC-8s and 707s and at the same time, these new jets were displacing the relatively new DC-7s & DC-6s which could then be reassigned to the shorter haul routes. Thus the airlines were under no pressure to replace these propliners for jetliners until there were definite cost advantages in doing so. By the end of 1961, with no orders on the books, and with Boeing launching the 727 tri-jet with similar performance characteristics but less costs due to one less engine, Douglas terminated Project 2067 and the DC-9 would not come into being until a few years later with two instead of four engines. This project was named Project 2086 with two versions competing for the DC-9 designation.
DIMENSIONS & SPECIFICATIONS
LENGTH: 103 Feet (31.39 Meters) WINGSPAN: 94 Feet (28.65 Meters)
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS:
Length - 71 Feet (21.64 Meters)
Width - 124 Inches (315 Centimeters)
Height - 81 Inches (206 Centimeters)
MAXIMUM TAKEOFF WEIGHT: 120,000 Pounds (54,431.04 Kilograms)
CRUISING ALTITUDE: 35,000 Feet (10,668 Meters)
CRUISING SPEED: 520-580 Miles Per Hour (837-933 Kilometers Per Hour)
RANGE: 2500 Miles (4023 Kilometers) at Max. Takeoff Weight
POWER PLANT: Pratt & Whitney JTF10A-1 Fan Jet
THRUST PER ENGINE: 8250 Pounds (3,752 Kilograms) Static Thrust
WING CONFIGURATION: 30 Degree Sweep-Back with Control & Stabilizing Systems Similar to the DC-8. However, the Addition of High Lift Leading Edge Slats Which Would Allow Shorter Take-off and Landing Distances.
COCKPIT ARRANGEMENT: Same as the DC-8.
PASSENGER CONFIGURATION/CAPACITY:
All First Class: 68 Passengers in Four Abreast Seating*
All Coach Class: 96 Passengers in Five Abreast Seating*
* Both Configurations Using Douglas "Palomar Unitized" Seats, as in the DC-8, with the Passenger Service Units (light, air vent, flight attendant call button) located inside the seat next to each passenger, rather than above the seats.
ADDITIONAL FEATURE:
A self-contained stairway at the forward entry door for quicker turn-around times.
ESTIMATED PRICE: $3,000,000 USD
SOURCES FOR THIS DATA:
"Great Airliners Volume Four Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9" by Terry Waddington
Douglas Aircraft Company Publications & Press Releases
