DOUGLAS DC-8 TECHNICAL INFORMATION: ALL VARIANTS

'STANDARD' DC-8 SERIES 11-55

There was a great amount of evolution from the initial DC-8 Series 11 to the final Standard DC-8 Series 55. This was due to a combination of technological improvements that became available in the early 1960s plus Douglas' efforts to meet the varied requirements of the world's airlines. Most of these improvements are noted in the Remarks section of each Model Number. Nearly all of the Standard DC-8s have been retired due to increasingly stringent noise standards throughout the world. However, there are still some DC-8F-54 and -55 Freighter Aircraft still flying due to special "hush kits" being installed on their engines which has reduced the noise they emit to legal levels - in some parts of the world - primarily Africa and South America.

MODEL #	ENGINE MAKER, TYPE, & MODEL #, THRUST IN LBS.	DIMENSIONS (FT) L=LENGTH W/S=WINGSPAN	TYPICAL PASSENGER CONFIGURATIONS ALL FIRST (F) MIXED F/Y ALL COACH (Y) - MAXIMUM Y* & CARGO PALLETS** (IF APPLICABLE)	CARGO CAPACITY IN CUBIC FEET (BELOW CABIN IN CARGO BINS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)	DATE CERTIFIED BY FAA	TOTAL # MADE	REMARKS
		MW=MAXIMUM WEIGHTS (LBS) TAKEOFF/LANDING
11 DOMESTIC VERSION	PW TURBO-JET JT3C-6 13,500 LBS.	L= 150.7 W/S= 139.7 MW=265,000/190,500	116 ALL F 132 MIXED F/Y 144 - 179 ALL Y	1390	31AUG1959	24	INITIAL VERSION; ENGINES WERE TURBOJET WITH WATER INJECTION
12 DOMESTIC VERSION	PW TURBO-JET JT3C-6 13,500 LBS.	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=273,000/193,000	116 ALL F 132 MIXED F/Y 144 - 179 ALL Y	1390	01JUL1960	5	ADDED EXTENDED WING TIP & LEADING EDGE SLOTS ENGINES WERE TURBOJET WITH WATER INJECTION
21 DOMESTIC VERSION	PW TURBO-JET JT4A-3/-5 15,800 or JT4A-9/-10 16.800 or JT4A-11/-12 17,500 LBS.	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=276,000/193,000	116 ALL F 132 MIXED F/Y 144 - 179 ALL Y	1390	19JAN1960	34	ENGINES WERE NO LONGER WATER INJECTION FROM THIS VERSION FORWARD. EXTENDED WING TIP & LEADING EDGE SLOTS WERE ADDED FROM THIS VERSION FORWARD.
31 INTERCONTINENTAL VERSION	PW TURBO-JET JT4A-9/-10 16.800 LBS.	L= 150.7 W/S=142.36 MW=300,000/196,500	116 ALL F 132 MIXED F/Y 144 - 179 ALL Y	1390	30MAR1960	4	FIRST INTERNATIONAL VERSION WITH LONGER RANGE
32 INTERCONTINENTAL VERSION	PW TURBO-JET JT4A-9/-10 16.800 or JT4A-11/-12 17,500 LBS.	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=310,000/199,500	116 ALL F 132 MIXED F/Y 144 - 179 ALL Y	1390	01FEB1960	43	--
33 INTERCONTINENTAL VERSION	PW TURBO-JET JT4A-11/-12 17,500 LBS.	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=315,000/207,000	116 ALL F 132 MIXED F/Y 144 - 179 ALL Y	1390	28NOV1960	10	ADDED FLAP MODIFICATION & LANDING GEAR STRENGTHENED
41 INTERCONTINENTAL VERSION	RR LOW BYPASS FAN RCo.12 17,500 LBS.	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=300,000/196,500	116 ALL F 132 MIXED F/Y 144 - 179 ALL Y	1390	24MAR1960	4	SAME INTERNATIONAL VERSIONS AS THE SERIES 30s BUT WITH ROLLS-ROYCE CONWAY (LOW) BYPASS ENGINES
42 INTERCONTINENTAL VERSION	RR LOW BYPASS FAN RCo.12 17,500 LBS.	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=310,000/199,500	116 ALL F 132 MIXED F/Y 144 - 179 ALL Y	1390	26APR1960	8	THE ROLLS-ROYCE CONWAY (LOW) BYPASS ENGINE WAS AN EARLY VERSION OF THE FANJET
43 INTERCONTINENTAL VERSION	RR LOW BYPASS FAN RCo.12 17,500 LBS.	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=315,000/207,000	116 ALL F 132 MIXED F/Y 144 - 179 ALL Y	1390	01FEB1961	20	ADDED 4% WING LEADING EDGE EXTENSION & LANDING GEAR STRENGTHENED
51 DOMESTIC & INTERCONTINENTAL VERSIONS	PW TURBOFAN JT3D-1/3 17,000/18,000	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=276,000/199,500	132 MIXED F/Y 144 - 179 ALL Y	1390	10OCT1961	30	FIRST TURBOFAN ENGINE VERSION
52 DOMESTIC & INTERCONTINENTAL VERSIONS	PW TURBOFAN JT3D-3B 18,000	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=300,000/202,000 -or- 305,000/202,000	132 MIXED F/Y 144 - 179 ALL Y	1390	01MAY1961	25	ADDED 4% WING LEADING EDGE EXTENSION & LANDING GEAR STRENGTHENED
53 DOMESTIC & INTERCONTINENTAL VERSIONS	PW TURBOFAN JT3D-3B 18,000	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=315,000/207,000	132 MIXED F/Y 144 - 179 ALL Y	1390	28APR1961	23	ADDED 4% WING LEADING EDGE EXTENSION & LANDING GEAR STRENGTHENED
53AB DOMESTIC & INTERCONTINENTAL VERSIONS	PW TURBOFAN JT3D-3B 18,000	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=315,000/207,000	132 MIXED F/Y 155 - 189 ALL Y	1390	28APR1961	2	DOUGLAS DESIGNATED AS 'AB' FOR AFT BULKHEAD EXTENSION INCREASING PASSENGER CAPACITY TO MAX. 189
54JT/54CF DOMESTIC & INTERCONTINENTAL VERSIONS	PW TURBOFAN JT3D-3B 18,000	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=315,000/240,000	132 MIXED F/Y 155 - 189 ALL Y -or- 8 PALLETS CARGO + 63Y PSGRS -or- 13 PALLETS CARGO	8810 CABIN 1390 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 10,200	29JAN1963	15	DOUGLAS DESIGNATED AS 'JT' FOR JET TRADER, LATER KNOWN AS 'CF' FOR COMBINATION PASSENGER/FREIGHTER
54JT/54AF DOMESTIC & INTERCONTINENTAL VERSIONS	PW TURBOFAN JT3D-3B 18,000	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=315,000/240,000	13 PALLETS - ALL CARGO	8810 CABIN 1390 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 10,200	29JAN1963	15	DOUGLAS DESIGNATED AS 'JT' FOR JET TRADER, LATER KNOWN AS 'AF' FOR AIR FREIGHTER - THIS VERSION WAS ONLY ORDERED BY UNITED AIR LINES.
55JT/55CF DOMESTIC & INTERCONTINENTAL VERSIONS	PW TURBOFAN JT3D-3B 18,000	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=325,000/240,000	132 MIXED F/Y 155 - 189 ALL Y -or- 8 PALLETS CARGO + 63Y PSGRS -or- 13 PALLETS CARGO	8810 CABIN 1390 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 10,200	19JUN1964	24	FURTHER STRENGTHENED LANDING GEAR. DOUGLAS DESIGNATED AS 'JT' FOR JET TRADER, LATER KNOWN AS 'CF' FOR COMBINATION PASSENGER/FREIGHTER. DOUGLAS DID NOT MAKE THIS VERSION AS AN ALL FREIGHTER (AF) BUT SOME 55JT/55F WERE LATER CONVERTED INTO 55AFs.
55AB DOMESTIC & INTERCONTINENTAL VERSIONS	PW TURBOFAN JT3D-3B 18,000	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=325,000/240,000	132 MIXED F/Y 155 - 189 ALL Y	1390	25APR1965	2	FURTHER STRENGTHENED LANDING GEAR. DOUGLAS DESIGNATED AS 'AB' FOR AFT BULKHEAD EXTENSION INCREASING PASSENGER CAPACITY TO MAX. 189
55L DOMESTIC & INTERCONTINENTAL VERSIONS	PW TURBOFAN JT3D-3B 18,000	L= 150.7 W/S= 142.36 MW=325,000/240,000	132 MIXED F/Y 144 - 179 ALL Y	1390	25APR1965	6	FURTHER STRENGTHENED LANDING GEAR. DOUGLAS DESIGNATED AS 'L' FOR LESS AFT BULKHEAD WHICH LEFT THE AFT BULKHEAD PLACEMENT THE SAME AS IN SERIES 30 VERSIONS AND THUS MAX. PASSENGER CAPACITY REMAINED AT 179 (PER AIRLINE REQUESTS).
TOTAL	'STANDARD'	DC-8	SERIES	11 - 55L	MADE:	294

'SUPER' DC-8 SERIES 61-63
(All DC-8 Super 60 Series Aircraft were Domestic & Intercontinental Versions)

The DC-8 Super 60 Series Aircraft gave the DC-8 a "new lease on life" in the mid-1960s and has subsequently made it possible for the conversion to the Super 70s Series Aircraft - most which are still flying today (See Super 70s section below). The DC-8-61 extended the DC-8-55 fuselage length by 36.5 feet (11.13 Meters) while retaining the basic engines & wing of the DC-8-55. This dramatically increased the passenger capacity and was optimal for medium range flights such as New York - San Francisco or West Coast USA - Hawaii. The DC-8-62 combined a short extension of the Series 55 fuselage of 80 Inches (2.03 Meters), along with a 36 inch (.91 Meter) extension of each wing tip (to reduce drag and increase fuel capacity), and with a new aerodynamically superior engine pod to create an -Ultra- Long Range Aircraft. The DC-8-62 enabled nonstop flights never before possible such as Europe to the USA's West Coast with a full payload. The DC-8-63 combined the benefits of the longer stretched fuselage of the DC-8-61 and the longer range refinements of the DC-8-62 plus more powerful engines to create a Long Range, High Capacity Airliner which was useful on many of the world's long haul routes which need more passenger and/or cargo capacity. All DC-8 Super 60 Series Aircraft were equipped with Pratt & Whitney Turbo Fan Engines and were available in Passenger, Combination Passenger/Freight (CF) and All Freight (AF) Versions. In addition to the 110 Super 60s DC-8s which were converted into Super 70s Models, there are still quite a few Super 60s DC-8s which have had "hush kits" installed on their engines and thus enabling them to continue on flying today - even with the more strict noise limitations in place.

MODEL #	ENGINE MAKER & MODEL #, THRUST IN LBS. (ALL ARE TURBOFAN ENGINES)	DIMENSIONS (FT) L=LENGTH W/S=WINGSPAN	TYPICAL PASSENGER CONFIGURATIONS MIXED F/Y ALL COACH (Y) - MAXIMUM Y* & CARGO PALLETS** (IF APPLICABLE)	CARGO CAPACITY IN CUBIC FEET (BELOW CABIN IN CARGO BINS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)	DATE CERTIFIED BY FAA	TOTAL # MADE	REMARKS
		MW=MAXIMUM WEIGHTS (LBS) TAKEOFF/LANDING
61	PW JT3D-3B 18,000 LBS.	L= 187.4 W/S= 142.36 MW=325,000/240,000	200-212 MIXED F/Y 251 - 269 ALL Y	2500	01SEP1966	78	BASIC MEDIUM RANGE, HIGH CAPACITY JETLINER
61CF	PW JT3D-3B 18,000 LBS.	L= 187.4 W/S= 142.36 MW=328,000/240,000	200-212 MIXED F/Y 251 - 269 ALL Y -or- 4 PALLETS CARGO + 189 PSGRS -or- 18 PALLETS CARGO	10,035 CABIN 2500 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 12,535	11JUN1967	10	COMBO-PASSENGER &/OR FREIGHTER: LARGE CARGO DOOR INTO CABIN, ALL PASSENGER SERVICE EQUIPMENT ON BOARD
61AF	PW JT3D-3B 18,000 LBS.	L= 187.4 W/S= 142.36 MW=328,000/240,000	18 PALLETS - ALL CARGO	10,035 CABIN 2500 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 12,535	11JUN1967	0	DOUGLAS OFFERED THIS VERSION AS AN ALL FREIGHTER (AF) BUT NO ONE ORDERED IT NEW. HOWEVER SOME AIRLINES LATER CONVERTED -61s AND -61CFs INTO 61AFs.
62	PW JT3D-3B 18,000 LBS -or- PW JT3D-7 19,000 LBS.	L= 157.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=335,000/240,000	142-168 MIXED F/Y 189 ALL Y	1615	27APR1967	31	BASIC ULTRA LONG RANGE JETLINER (MAXIMUM PASSENGER CAPACITY IS LIMITED TO 189 DUE TO LIMITATIONS OF EMERGENCY EXITS)
62H	PW JT3D-3B 18,000 LBS -or- PW JT3D-7 19,000 LBS.	L= 157.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=350,000/240,000	142-168 MIXED F/Y 189 ALL Y	1615	27APR1967	20	H=HEAVY OR INCREASED GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT (TO 350,000 LB)
62CF	PW JT3D-3B 18,000 LBS -or- PW JT3D-7 19,000 LBS.	L= 157.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=350,000/240,000	142-168 MIXED F/Y 189 ALL Y -or- 4 PALLETS + 106 PSGRS -or- 14 PALLETS CARGO	9050 CABIN 1615 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 10,665	09APR1968	10	COUNT INCLUDES 2 DC-8-62CF-H MODELS; COMBO-PASSENGER &/OR FREIGHTER: LARGE CARGO DOOR INTO CABIN, ALL PASSENGER SERVICE EQUIPMENT ON BOARD
62AF	PW JT3D-3B 18,000 LBS -or- PW JT3D-7 19,000 LBS.	L= 157.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=335,000/240,000	14 PALLETS - ALL CARGO	9050 CABIN 1615 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 10,665	09APR1968	6	ALL FREIGHTER: LARGE CARGO DOOR, ALL PASSENGER SERVICE EQUIPMENT REMOVED; PASSENGER WINDOWS PLUGGED; FREIGHT HANDLING EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN CABIN.
63	PW JT3D-7 19,000 LBS.	L= 187.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=350,000/245,000	200-212 MIXED F/Y 251 - 269 ALL Y	2500	29JUN1967	41	BASIC LONG RANGE, HIGH CAPACITY JETLINER
63CF	PW JT3D-7 19,000 LBS.	L= 187.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=355,000/275,000	200-212 MIXED F/Y 251 - 269 ALL Y -or- 4 PALLETS CARGO + 189 PSGRS -or- 18 PALLETS CARGO	10,035 CABIN 2500 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 12,535	10JUN1968	53	COMBO-PASSENGER &/OR FREIGHTER: LARGE CARGO DOOR INTO CABIN, ALL PASSENGER SERVICE EQUIPMENT ON BOARD
63AF	PW JT3D-7 19,000 LBS.	L= 187.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=355,000/275,000	18 PALLETS - ALL CARGO	10,035 CABIN 2500 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 12,535	10JUN1968	7	ALL FREIGHTER: LARGE CARGO DOOR, ALL PASSENGER SERVICE EQUIPMENT REMOVED; PASSENGER WINDOWS PLUGGED; FREIGHT HANDLING EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN CABIN.
63PF	PW JT3D-7 19,000 LBS.	L= 187.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=355,000/275,000	200-212 MIXED F/Y 251 - 269 ALL Y	2500	10JUN1968	6	PASSENGER JETLINER BUILT WITH THE STRONGER FREIGHTER SPECIFICATIONS. COULD EASILY BE CONVERTED ALL FREIGHTER BY ADDING A LARGE CARGO DOOR INTO CABIN & REMOVING PASSENGER EQUIPMENT. BUILT AT EASTERN AIRLINE'S REQUEST.
TOTAL	'SUPER'	DC-8	SERIES	61 - 63PF	MADE:	262	--
GRAND	TOTAL	OF	ALL	DC-8s	MADE:	556	--

'SUPER' DC-8 SERIES 71-73

All DC-8 Super 70s Aircraft are versions of the Super 60s Aircraft which have been refitted with new General Electric/Snecma CFM56-2 High Bypass Turbo Fan Engines & New Pylons. The new engines burn less fuel, have more power to take-off on shorter runways & climb to higher initial cruise altitudes and have increased the DC-8's Maximum Range. Most importantly, the new engines make substantially less noise (up to 70% less) than the older engines & thus have met the progressively more strict noise regulations which have gone into effect in the 1980s, 1990s and the New Millennium. Other Optional upgrades for the Super 70s DC-8s included a newer, more efficient pressurization & air conditioning system; addition of an Auxiliary Power Unit on board to provide both electrical power and air supply for engine starting (while all earlier DC-8 Versions require Ground Power & Air Supply Equipment);
Updated Avionics in the cockpit (to state-of-the-art "Glass Cockpits") and an Updated Cabin Cabin Interior. All of these modifications and upgrades have enabled the DC-8 to remain in productive service to this day and they are expected to safely 'soldier on' until 2010 and later!
Please note that all DC-8-70 model subtypes match exactly to the DC-8-60 model subtypes which they were upgraded from: DC-8-61 becomes DC-8-71, DC-8-62AF becomes DC-8-72AF, DC-8-63CF becomes DC-8-73CF, etc.

MODEL #	ENGINE TYPE, MODEL #, THRUST IN LBS. (ALL ARE HIGH BYPASS RATIO FAN ENGINES)	DIMENSIONS (FT) L=LENGTH W/S=WINGSPAN	TYPICAL PASSENGER CONFIGURATIONS MIXED F/Y ALL COACH (Y) - MAXIMUM Y* & CARGO PALLETS** (IF APPLICABLE)	CARGO CAPACITY IN CUBIC FEET (BELOW CABIN IN CARGO BINS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)	DATE CERTIFIED BY FAA	TOTAL # CONVER-SIONS	REMARKS
		MW=MAXIMUM WEIGHTS (LBS) TAKEOFF/LANDING
71	CFM56-2 22,000 LBS.	L= 187.4 W/S= 142.36 MW=325,000/240,000	200-212 MIXED F/Y 251 - 269 ALL Y	2500	13APR1982	43	MOST OF THESE PASSENGER CONVERSIONS WERE LATER CONVERTED TO CF OR AF MODELS FOR HAULING FREIGHT.
71CF	CFM56-2 22,000 LBS.	L= 187.4 W/S= 142.36 MW=328,000/240,000	200-212 MIXED F/Y 251 - 269 ALL Y -or- 4 PALLETS CARGO + 189 PSGRS -or- 18 PALLETS CARGO	10,035 CABIN 2500 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 12,535	13APR1982	10	COMBO-PASSENGER &/OR FREIGHTER: LARGE CARGO DOOR INTO CABIN, ALL PASSENGER SERVICE EQUIPMENT ON BOARD.
71AF	CFM56-2 22,000 LBS.	L= 187.4 W/S= 142.36 MW=328,000/240,000	18 PALLETS - ALL CARGO	10,035 CABIN 2500 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 12,535	13APR1982	0	ALL FREIGHTER: LARGE CARGO DOOR, ALL PASSENGER SERVICE EQUIPMENT REMOVED; PASSENGER WINDOWS PLUGGED; FREIGHT HANDLING EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN CABIN.
72	CFM56-2 22,000 LBS.	L= 157.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=335,000/240,000	142-168 MIXED F/Y 189 ALL Y	1615	17SEP1982	0	ULTRA LONG RANGE JETLINER.
72H	CFM56-2 22,000 LBS.	L= 157.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=350,000/240,000	142-168 MIXED F/Y 189 ALL Y	1615	17SEP1982	4	3 WERE CONVERTED INTO CORPORATE/ PRIVATE JETLINERS; 1 WAS CONVERTED FOR NASA FOR RESEARCH.
72CF	CFM56-2 22,000 LBS.	L= 157.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=350,000/240,000	142-168 MIXED F/Y 189 ALL Y -or- 4 PALLETS + 106 PSGRS -or- 14 PALLETS CARGO	9050 CABIN 1615 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 10,665	17SEP1982	3	COMBO-PASSENGER &/OR FREIGHTER: LARGE CARGO DOOR INTO CABIN, ALL PASSENGER SERVICE EQUIPMENT ON BOARD; ALL 3 OF THESE AIRCRAFT WERE CONVERTED FOR THE FRENCH AIR FORCE.
72AF	CFM56-2 22,000 LBS.	L= 157.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=335,000/240,000	14 PALLETS - ALL CARGO	9050 CABIN 1615 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 10,665	17SEP1982	0	ALL FREIGHTER: LARGE CARGO DOOR, ALL PASSENGER SERVICE EQUIPMENT REMOVED; PASSENGER WINDOWS PLUGGED; FREIGHT HANDLING EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN CABIN.
73	CFM56-2 22,000 LBS.	L= 187.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=350,000/245,000	200-212 MIXED F/Y 251 - 269 ALL Y	2500	23JUN1982	1	THIS AIRCRAFT WAS LATER CONVERTED INTO A FREIGHTER
73CF	CFM56-2 22,000 LBS.	L= 187.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=355,000/275,000	200-212 MIXED F/Y 251 - 269 ALL Y -or- 4 PALLETS CARGO + 189 PSGRS -or- 18 PALLETS CARGO	10,035 CABIN 2500 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 12,535	23JUN1982	33	COMBO-PASSENGER &/OR FREIGHTER: LARGE CARGO DOOR INTO CABIN, ALL PASSENGER SERVICE EQUIPMENT ON BOARD
73AF	CFM56-2 22,000 LBS.	L= 187.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=355,000/275,000	18 PALLETS - ALL CARGO	10,035 CABIN 2500 CARGO BINS= TOTAL OF 12,535	23JUN1982	14	ALL FREIGHTER: LARGE CARGO DOOR, ALL PASSENGER SERVICE EQUIPMENT REMOVED; PASSENGER WINDOWS PLUGGED; FREIGHT HANDLING EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN CABIN.
73PF	CFM56-2 22,000 LBS.	L= 187.4 W/S= 148.36 MW=355,000/275,000	200-212 MIXED F/Y 251 - 269 ALL Y	2500	23JUN1982	2	BOTH OF THESE AIRCRAFT WERE LATER CONVERTED INTO FREIGHTERS.
TOTAL	OF	DC-8-61 - 63PF	CONVERTED	TO	71- 73PF	110	--

Back To 'Standard vs Super DC-8 Explanation'

Forward To 'Original Delivery Customers'

Back To Home - Index Page