by Wolfgang Borgmann
Hardback (Horizontal: 9.3×9.3 inches). 144 pages. 2026.
This heavily-illustrated book of everything DC-8 covers the initial design and development through its purchase by a host of airlines.
Ironically, this popular aircraft was late to the jet party, for the head of Douglas, Donald Wills Douglas, Sr., was in no hurry to upgrade his successful line of propeller-driven planes to jet-powered models. Only when he saw sales of rivals did he turn his design staff loose to enter the jet age. The main problem was engine noise and a few other technical troubles, but these were eventually fixed.
Of note, in 1956, the company built a full-scale fuselage to undergo full testing because the jet age put additional stresses on aircraft, which caused metal fatigue — sometimes with fatal crashes. The company used titanium crack stoppers in construction and simulated 113,000 flights before the first crack, around a window, occurred and the stoppers did their job. Think about that. Today’s computer modeling is supposed to simulate that, but even the F-35 suffered from fatigue and had to be upgraded. Nothing like building an actual item to test an actual item.
I never experienced the “golden age” of flying in the 1950s and 1960s. Back then, a commission set ticket prices, so the airlines competed on service and amenities. Now it’s herd class, sardine service, and allegedly cheap air fares — I suppose you get what you pay for, but airlines get grumpy passengers what they service for. Last pleasant flight I had was in the 1990s on a now defunct airline called Midwest Express from Newark NJ to Milwaukee, WI, for GenCon. Wide seating, ample knee room, and non-harried flight staff. Oh well. No idea what the plane type was but not a DC-8.
The book contains 40 black and white photos, 139 color photos, and three black and white illustrations. The airlines run the gamut from Africa Safari Airways to United Airlines, so the modeler can pick the livery. Philanthropic airlines are also covered as are overviews of competitors like the Boeing 707 and Vickers VC 10.
You may not place a DC-8 on a wargame table very often, but it was interesting to take a look back on one early jet passenger aircraft.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
