AOW - The Harbin SH-5

The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 began its life on the drawing boards back in 1966 to satisfy a need of American Airlines for a large capacity, civil transport. In April of 1968, orders from both American Airlines for 25 and an option for 25 more, and United Airlines putting in an order for 30 aircraft, with an option to purchase 30 more, started the ball rolling for this aircraft.

The DC-10 has a low, swept-wing monoplane type configuration, with the tail surfaces being configured similarily. The aircraft has a 3-engine configuration, with one engine pylon mounted beneath each wing, and the third engine installed at the base of the fin.

The first production DC-10 Series 10 was flown on August 29, 1970, and a little less than a year later, after receiving its certification on July 29, 1971, American Airlines introduced it into its fleet, on August 5, 1971. Overall, McDonnell Douglas received 446 orders for the DC-10, the last of which was delivered to Nigeria Airways in 1989.

The production line continued to manufacture the similiar KC-10A Extender, an inflight-refueling/cargo aircraft for the USAF up until the beginning of 1990.

There were many Series Variants with the DC-10:
DC-10 Series 10
DC-10 Series 10CF
DC-10 Series 15
DC-10 Series 30
DC-10 Series 30CF
DC-10 Series 30ER
DC-10 Series40
KC-10A Extender

Specifications of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Series 30:
Type: Commercial Transport
Powerplant: Three 51,000 pound thrust General Electric CF6-
50C Turbofans
Performance:
Maximum Cruising Speed 564 mph at 30,000 feet.
Service Ceiling @ Average Cruise Weight 33,400 feet.
Range w/Maximum Payload is 4,605 miles.

Weight:
Empty - 267,197 pounds.
Max Takeoff Weight - 580,000 pounds.

Dimensions:
Wingspan - 165'4 1/2"
Length - 182' 1"
Height - 58' 1"
Wing Surface Area - 3,958.7 sq. feet