A
Douglas Aircraft Company Retrospective, Part 1

     The
contribution of Douglas Aircraft Company to American and world aviation is
well known. The company’s accomplishments are legendary and this series
of articles attempts to reveal the inner workings of a company that was in
the vanguard of developing commercial, military and research aircraft.
     The following excerpts are taken from an
internal Douglas Co. management newsletter following WWII. The reprinting
of these brief in-house company announcements provide insight into
the internal operations of Douglas as they transitioned from the demands
of war to a postwar environment, and how they met the technological
challenges of the future.
     These
reminiscences display that outstanding aircraft are the result of
dedicated personnel operating collectively in a highly technical,
innovative and competitive business environment.

EXACT STATUS OF THE DC-9[1
]" No decision to build yet. Plans are still in the making as revealed
by a letter dispatched to prospective customers from vice
president-domestic sales. It says Company is aware of crying need for a
transport to serve small fields and feeder operations as well as trunk
lines. It must carry passengers, mail, express and cargo at modern speeds,
economically and safely, as logical successor to DC-3. Proposed DC-9
offers "as simple and straightforward an airplane as possible. Includes
modern communications, fire prevention, surface anti-icing, greatly
improved comfort, terminally conditioned air and wall panels, cabin
pressurization, plus high performance."
     Company is discussing project with airlines,
pilots, maintenance and service experts, armed forces and public. And
conducting intensive research on world conditions and markets. Do they
warrant full development of the DC-9 now? Decision will come with answers.

*****

COMPETITIVE BIDS BY DOUGLAS
FOR A TRAINER AND A BOMBER, both
slick designs, are already submitted to Air Forces. Decision on the
trainer is expected in March, bomber later.

*****

EL SEGUNDO’S NAVY AD-1
SKYRAIDER met every strength
requirement of specifications, passed all simulated landing tests and
carrier qualifications tests with "flying" colors. Then it went to sea
for Fleet operations assigned to newly formed squadrons. Carrier landings
really must be something! Even the AD-1 got skin wrinkles from the ordeal.
     Happily, the problem is not unique. All
manufacturers of Navy aircraft fall victim, only sometimes much worse, to
unpredictable strength moments not required by contract. Skyraiders are
responding to face lifting with alacrity while filing the experience under
painful progress in the increasingly complicated aeronautical world.

*****

D-558 SKYSTREAK. #3
airplane, continues final performance demonstration flights with test
pilot Gene May. Meanwhile, National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics
received first two Skystreaks last October and November. NACA pilots fly
them in the great scientific research program for which they were built.
Eminent scientists predict that D-558, product of El Segundo . . .