Douglas World Cruiser – Zdjęcia & Filmy

Tthe 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.

Źródła: Douglas World Cruiser na Wikipedii

Tthe 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.
Samolot wystartował z Seattle 6 kwietnia 1924 roku i przebiegał przez 28 krajów i cztery kontynenty. Lot napotkał wiele wyzwań, takich jak zła pogoda, problemy mechaniczne i wrogie władze. Jeden z World Cruiser, Seattle, rozbił się na Alasce, a drugi, Boston, zaginął na Oceanie Atlantyckim. Pozostałe dwa World Cruiser, Chicago i New Orleans, zakończyły podróż 28 września 1924 roku, po 175 dniach lotu i pokonaniu ponad 26 000 mil. Douglas World Cruiser był niezwykłym osiągnięciem, które pokazało wykonalność i potencjał lotnictwa dalekiego zasięgu.