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DC-2
Light Transport Aircraft
Douglas
 First flight of DC-1, with 9-cylinder Wright SGR-1820-F radial engines rated at 690 hp each. with., took place on July 1, 1933. The plane could continue flying on one engine after takeoff and land at a high-altitude and hot airfield. By that time, Douglas had already received an order for 20 improved DC-2s, then increased to 31 machines.
DC-2 differed from DC-1 in its increased length by 0.61 m fuselage, respectively, the number of seats increased to 14, respectively, it was equipped with more powerful Wright Cyclone SGR-1820-F3 engines (710 hp each). everyone). Structurally, the aircraft was an all-metal low-wing aircraft with a semi-monocoque fuselage, a cantilever wing and tail unit, and a tricycle landing gear with a rotary tail wheel. The wheels of the main landing gear in the retracted position protruded somewhat from the niches in the engine nacelles, ensuring safety during a forced landing with the landing gear unreleased. The compartment between the pilot's cabin and the passenger compartment housed up to 454 kg of cargo or mail, another cargo compartment was located behind the passenger compartment. Access to the salon was through one door on the left side, there was a buffet right behind the entrance, and a toilet at the end of the salon.
The first DC-2, took off on May 11, 1934, and three days later was transferred to the TWA airline. The seats were located on the sides and were adjustable, with the ability to turn back. Each seat was located at the porthole, so there were seven of them on each side.
The Dutch "Fokker", the Japanese "Nakajima Hikoki KK" and the British "Airspeed" signed the licensing agreements for the release of DC-2. However, neither Fokker nor Airspeed built such aircraft - 39 aircraft were delivered, including 21 for the Dutch air carrier KLM, which operated the DC-2 on European routes and on the long-distance route between Holland and the Dutch East Indies. The Soviet company "Amtorg" acquired one DC-2, but did not acquire a license for an aircraft from the USSR.
For a little more than a year, 108 DC-2 aircraft were already in operation in 21 countries of the world, having flown more than 37 million km. An operator poll by Douglas showed that American operators and Pan American Airways in South America had flown 24,139,500 kilometers in the first eight months, operating at 98.8% efficiency.
The triumphant march of the future DC-3 has begun.
The US military ordered several DC-2s: five with 710 hp Wright engines. for the US Navy (under the designation R2D-1 were used as staff transport), and 18 vehicles were acquired by the US Army Air Corps under the designation C-33, they were operated as transport (they differed in increased keel and rudders, had a cargo door on the left side). In addition, 24 former civilian DC-2s entered the US Army Air Corps as the C-32A, the military received two personal transport YC-34s, and the C-38 prototype turned out to be a kind of combination of DC-2 and DC-3. One S-38 was equipped with two Wright R-1820-45 975 hp each. That is, it had a DC-3-type tail section and became the basis for the development and construction of 39 C-39 aircraft, which combined the C-33 fuselage and center section, tail section and chassis from DC-3. Two similar aircraft - C-41 with Pratt and Whitney R-1820-21 engines with 1200 hp each. and C-42 "Flying Chief" with Wright R-1820-53 1000 hp each. - were used by the command staff of the US Army Air Force.
Construction. All-metal cantilever low-wing aircraft of the classical design with two piston engines and retractable OOSh.
The landing gear retraction system is hydraulic. Thermostatic engine heating system with interior temperature control. Goodrich pneumatic anti-icing system on the leading edges of the wing and stabilizer. Liquid anti-icing system for propellers, carburetors and windows in the cockpit. The ventilation system of the passenger cabin.
The aircraft had modern instrumentation and radio navigation equipment. Radio station, Sperry autopilot, altimeter, speed indicator, artificial horizon, magnetic compass.
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