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The Douglas Dolphin was an amphibious flying boat. While only fifty-eight were built, they served a wide variety of roles: private "yacht", airliner, military transport, and search and rescue.
The Dolphin originated in 1930 as the "Sinbad", a pure flying boat without wheels. The Sinbad was intended as a luxurious flying yacht. The Great Depression had curtailed demand for such extravagance, so the Sinbad was sold to the United States Coast Guard.
Undaunted by the lack of demand, Douglas developed an improved Sinbad in 1931 that was amphibious, so it could land on water or land. This improved aircraft was named "Dolphin". The first two were purchased by Wilmington-Catalina Airlines to fly passengers between Los Angeles and Santa Catalina Island, becoming the first Douglas airliners. Subsequent examples were ordered by the US Navy and US Coast Guard for use as transports and search and rescue craft. The US Army Air Corps ordered several under the designations C-21, C-26, and C-29. Many were eventually ordered for their original purpose as luxury transports. Owners included William Boeing, the founder of the Boeing Company, and Philip K. Wrigley, the son of the founder of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. One was even procured by the US Navy as a transport for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Although never used by Roosevelt, this was the first aircraft procured to provide transportation for the President of the United States.
[edit] Military operators
US Coast Guard RD2 in June, 1932
Argentina
Australia
United States
[edit] Specifications (Dolphin)
General characteristics
- Crew: Two, pilot and co-pilot
- Capacity: Six passengers
- Length: 45 ft 1 in (13.74 m)
- Wingspan: 60 ft 0 in (18.29 m)
- Height: 14 ft 0 in (4.27 m)
- Wing area: 592 ft² (55.0 m²)
- Empty weight: 7,000 lb (3,175 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 9,530 lb (4,323 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney R-1340-96 radial engines, 450 hp (336 kW) each
Performance
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
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USAAC/USAAF observation aircraft |
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| Observation Amphibian |
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USN/USMC transport designations 1931-1962 |
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Lists relating to aviation |
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| General |
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