144-28 MDD DC-10-30 CONTINENTAL AIRLINES

The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 was a low-wing, three-engined, mid-range, low-wing, American-made passenger jet. The drive was provided by three Pratt and Whitney JT9D-20 or General Electric CF6-6D turbofan engines. The flight of the prototype took place in 1970, and serial production continued in 1971-1989. About 450 examples of this aircraft were produced. McDonnell Douglas DC-10 was specially commissioned by American Airlines, which wanted to obtain a plane smaller than the Boeing 747, but with a similar flight range and able to operate from airports with a low-quality runway. McDonnell Douglas has lived up to these demands. Several development versions of the DC-10 were created in the course of serial production. The first mass-produced was the DC-10-10, the only recipient of which was American Airlines and United Airlines. Shortly thereafter, a version of the DC-10-30 was developed with new engines, extended flight range and increased fuel tanks. It was the most popular version of the DC-10. Depending on the version, the machine could take from 265 to 380 passengers on board.