The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 is a three-engine, wide-body jet airliner, a prominent figure in commercial aviation from the 1970s onwards. It was designed to compete with aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, offering a slightly smaller but still considerable capacity.
Key characteristics of the DC-10 include:
- Trijet Configuration: It features three turbofan engines: one under each wing, and a third engine mounted at the base of the vertical stabilizer (fin) in an S-duct configuration. This distinctive design is a hallmark of the DC-10 and its successor, the MD-11.
- Wide-Body: The DC-10 has a wide fuselage, allowing for twin aisles in the passenger cabin and providing a more spacious feel compared to narrow-body aircraft.
- Medium to Long Range: It was designed for medium to long-range routes, capable of transcontinental and transatlantic flights.
- Variants: The DC-10 was produced in several passenger and freighter variants, with different ranges and engine options. The KC-10 Extender is a military tanker/cargo aircraft variant derived from the DC-10.
- Operational History: Despite some early safety concerns that were addressed through modifications, the DC-10 proved to be a durable and reliable aircraft, serving with numerous airlines around the world for decades. Many were later converted into freighters.
While largely retired from passenger service by the early 21st century, some DC-10s and their military counterparts, the KC-10s, continue to fly as cargo aircraft or tankers.
