The DC-10 was designed and built in direct competition to the Lockheed L-1011 Tristar, both types matching a requirement for a wide-body airliner which had good fuel economy and could be used on US domestic trunk routes. The initial model was the DC-10-10 which first flew in 1970 and which was powered by 3x 40,000lb.s.t. (178kN) General Electrics and which entered service with American Airlines in 1971. The first long range model was the DC-10-40 which first flew in 1972 powered by 3x 49,400lb.s.t. (219.6kN) Pratt & Whitneys and with a range of 4663miles (7505km). The DC-10-30 was the main production version and was also available as the DC-10-30ER powered by 3x 54,000lb.s.t. (240.2kN) General Electrics and with a maximum take-off weight of 580,000lb(263,805kg). The DC-10-30CF was a convertible passenger/freighter version which had a maximum take-off weight of 590,000lb(267,624kg). The US Air Force ordered 60 examples of a military version of the DC-10-30CF as the KC-10A tanker/transport. These were the last examples to be built before production ended in 1989. More than 330 civil DC-10’s remain in service. An example of the DC-10-10 is shown below.

            N220AU                c/n 46501                         USA             

380 seat long range airliner first flown in 1972

Engines: 3x 51,000lb.s.t.(226.9kN) GE CF6-50C                                                                           Length: 182’1"(55.5m)                                                                                        Height: 58’1"(17.7m)Wingspan: 165’4"(50.41m)                                                                                             No.built: 386 Range: 4606miles(7413km)                                                             Cruising speed: 541mph(871kmh) Empty weight: 267,197lb(121,198kg)                            Maximum take-off weight: 572,000lb(259,450kg)

An example of the DC-10-30 is shown below.