Color Scheme: Proposal Colors

Composition: An Original, One of a Kind, Douglas Factory Wooden Prototype Model

Dimensions: Length: 18" (46cm), Wingspan 15.5" (39cm)

Condition: Excellent

Model History: Model History: Produced in the early 1960s by the Douglas Aircraft Model Shop. This model was used by Douglas Aircraft in the Evaluation & Promotion of a Later Design Proposal for the DC-9 which was named Project 2086. Please see below for an explanation of this project and it's outcome. I Acquired this model from Terry Waddington on August 6, 2003. Terry is the Author of "Douglas DC-9 - Great Airliners Volume Four" which is an Excellent Book about the DC-9. In addition to other fine books, Terry has also authored the "Great Airliners - DC-8 & DC-10" books which are equally comprehensive. Many Thanks To You Terry For Selling Me This Great Model as well as a lot of other Wonderful Douglas DC-8 & DC-9 Memorabilia. It All Has Come To A Good Home!

A Brief History of Douglas Aircraft's Project 2086 - A DC-9 Prototype Finalist: Approximately 1 year after terminating Project 2067, Douglas Aircraft Corporation announced in October, 1961 that it was proposing a new two engine jetliner which could profitably operate over very short airline sectors of 300-500 miles, and up to 1000 miles. This new proposed jetliner was named Project 2086 which later became the Douglas DC-9 "Compact Jet." Whereas the earlier Project 2067 design was planned as four engine jetliner replacement for the DC-6 propliner with an operating range up to 2500 miles, the Project 2086 design was planned as a two engine jetliner replacement for the Douglas DC-4, Convair 240/340/440, Martin 404 & Viscount Aircraft which operated on these much shorter stage lengths. In finalizing the design of the Project 2086 > DC-9 Jetliner, the Douglas engineers narrowed the layout of the aircraft down to two types. The first type utilized pylon mounted engines, one mounted to each wing. This Project 2086 Design Proposal is illustrated by the model above. The second type was to mount each of the engines to the body of the aircraft at the tail and utilize a "T" tail design for the horizontal & vertical stabilizers. Both of these Project 2086 proposals were designed to be approximately the same in size, weight, payload, passenger capacity, range and would use the same type of Pratt & Whitney or Rolls Royce engines. Please click here if you would like to see the proposed Dimensions & Specifications of Project 2086. In the end, it was Donald Douglas Senior who made the choice of which design type that would be implemented and that, of course, was the rear mounted engines with the "T" tail design which we know & love as the Douglas DC-9. Mr. Douglas was actually leaning toward the wing mounted engine design (as the model above depicts) but was persuaded by his staff that the tail mounted engines would make the cabin much quieter and thus have more passenger appeal. The engineers also felt that there were aerodynamic advantages to using the "T" tail design, which were later proven correct, and this reinforced Mr. Douglas' decision. Please click here if you would like to see and read about the earlier Project 2067 > DC-9 Design Proposal. On April 8, 1963 Donald Douglas Sr. officially launched the DC-9 Program with certification and first deliveries to the airlines expected in early 1966.

For a much more comprehensive history of the evolution of the DC-9 project at Douglas I would recommend the book "Great Airliners Volume Four Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9" by Terry Waddington.