Premium 2018.15 – Disappearing Douglas

The Douglas Aircraft Company of Long Beach, California started the business in 1921.  It went to build remarkable aircraft; the DC-3 is certainly a flying legend.  Its commercial props were first-rate and the DC-7C could be argued to be the epitome of the type.  During the period Douglas was easily as highly regarded as Boeing.

Then came the jets in 1958.  Douglas had the DC-8 and Boeing had the 707.  Douglas fared less well than Boeing. In 1967 Douglas merged with the McDonnell Corporation to become McDonell Douglas. This company managed to stay active, even competitive, for several years.   But a lack of R&D investment caught up and with a lack of competitive products, this company was merged with Boeing in 1997.