Douglas World Cruiser – Photos et vidéos

Lla Douglas World Cruiser (DWC) was developed to meet a requirement from the United States Army Air Service for an aircraft suitable for an attempt at the first flight around the world. The Douglas Aircraft Company responded with a modified variant of their DT torpedo bomber, the DWC. Five aircraft were ordered for the round-the-world flight, one for testing and training and four for the actual expedition. The success of the World Cruiser bolstered the international reputation of the Douglas Aircraft Company. The design of the DWC was later modified to create the O-5 observation aircraft, which was operated by the Army Air Service.

Source: Douglas World Cruiser sur Wikipedia

Lla Douglas World Cruiser was a historic aircraft that achieved the first aerial circumnavigation of the world in 1924. It was developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company as a modified version of their DT torpedo bomber, which had been used by the US Navy. The World Cruiser had a steel fuselage, a larger wing and rudder, and six fuel tanks that increased its range and endurance. It could also switch between wheels and floats, depending on the terrain and weather conditions. The US Army Air Service ordered four World Cruisers for the expedition, named Seattle, Chicago, Boston, and New Orleans. They were piloted by four officers and accompanied by four mechanics.
Le vol a décollé de Seattle le 6 avril 1924 et a suivi une route qui a traversé 28 pays et quatre continents. Le vol a fait face à de nombreux défis, tels que le mauvais temps, des problèmes mécaniques et des autorités hostiles. L’un des World Cruisers, Seattle, s’est écrasé en Alaska et un autre, Boston, a été perdu dans l’océan Atlantique. Les deux croiseurs mondiaux restants, le Chicago et le New Orleans, ont terminé le voyage le 28 septembre 1924, après avoir volé pendant 175 jours et parcouru plus de 26 000 milles. Le Douglas World Cruiser a été une réalisation remarquable qui a démontré la faisabilité et le potentiel de l’aviation longue distance.