Tracing Douglas Fighter Aircraft: A Chronological List

The Douglas Aircraft Company, and its successors McDonnell Douglas and Boeing, have left an indelible mark on aviation history, contributing a vast array of aircraft types from early biplanes to cutting-edge jet aircraft. While renowned for their commercial airliners and transport aircraft, their contributions to military aviation, particularly in the realm of fighter and attack aircraft, are equally significant. This article provides a chronological overview of the aircraft developed by Douglas and its descendant companies, offering a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of aerospace technology and highlighting the development of Douglas Fighter Aircraft and related combat types.

A Legacy in the Skies: Chronological Aircraft Development

Tracing the history of an aircraft manufacturer through its products reveals the technological advancements and changing demands of the eras it operated in. This chronological list, presented in reverse order by the initial year of service, showcases the diverse portfolio of aircraft produced, ranging from experimental designs and airliners to dedicated military platforms, including numerous examples of Douglas’s impact on fighter and strike aviation.

The list below compiles 71 entries, representing aircraft that entered service or were developed as prototypes from 2006 back to 1921. While not all entries are dedicated fighters, many served in combat roles or were crucial steps in the development of modern military aircraft.

Modern Era and the Boeing Merger

The later years saw developments under the McDonnell Douglas banner and eventually under Boeing after the 1997 merger, continuing the lineage that began with Douglas.

Starting in the 2000s:

• Boeing X-53 AAW (Active Aeroelastic Wing) (2006): An experimental aircraft focused on advanced aerodynamic technology.

• Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet (1999): A carrier-based strike fighter, representing a significant evolution of the Hornet design. This formidable aircraft serves as a modern carrier workhorse.

• Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) X-36 (1997): An unmanned fighter technology demonstrator, exploring tailless design concepts. This research pushed the boundaries of flight control and design.

• Boeing Bird of Prey (1996): A stealth aircraft technology demonstrator, shrouded in secrecy for years, testing concepts that would inform later designs.

• McDonnell Douglas F-15I (Ra’am) (1996): A strike fighter variant developed specifically for Israel, showcasing the continued adaptability of the F-15 platform for diverse roles.
  McDonnell Douglas F-15I Ra’am strike fighter aircraft for Israel

• ORBIS International DC-10 (Flying Eye Hospital) (1994): A unique conversion of the DC-10 wide-body into a mobile ophthalmic hospital and instruction platform.

• Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) T-45 Goshawk (1991): A carrierborne advanced jet trainer, derived from the British Aerospace Hawk, used to prepare pilots for carrier operations.

• McDonnell Douglas / Boeing MD-11 (1990): An intermediate-range passenger airliner, an evolution of the DC-10 design.

• Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F-15E Strike Eagle (1988): A highly capable strike fighter, expanding the F-15’s role beyond pure air superiority to deep interdiction and ground attack. The F-15 variants demonstrate the enduring impact of Douglas/McDonnell Douglas designs on fifth gen fighter aircraft development, even though the F-15 itself is a fourth-generation type.

• Boeing (Hughes) AH-64 Apache (1986): A dedicated two-seat attack helicopter, originally a Hughes design, later becoming part of the McDonnell Douglas/Boeing portfolio.
  Boeing Hughes AH-64 Apache attack helicopter

The McDonnell Douglas Era

The merger of Douglas Aircraft Company and McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in 1967 created McDonnell Douglas, a giant in aerospace, particularly known for its military designs in the latter half of the 20th century.

• Boeing (BAe Systems / McDonnell Douglas) AV-8B Harrier II (1985): A Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) strike aircraft, a collaboration continuing the Harrier lineage.

• Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F/A-18 Hornet (1983): A multirole carrier-based strike fighter that became a cornerstone of naval aviation for decades. Its versatility defined a new standard.
  Boeing McDonnell Douglas F A-18 Hornet multirole carrier-based strike fighter

• McDonnell Douglas / General Dynamics A-12 Avenger II (1983): A carrier-based strike aircraft proposal that was ultimately canceled.

• McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet (1983): The Canadian variant of the F/A-18 Hornet, serving as their primary multirole jet fighter.
  McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet multirole jet fighter Royal Canadian Air Force

• MD Helicopters MD500 (Hughes 500) (1982): A light utility and multirole helicopter, another Hughes design absorbed into the later structure.

• Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) KC-10 Extender (1981): An advanced tanker and cargo aircraft based on the DC-10, vital for extending the range of other aircraft.

• Mitsubishi F-15J (Peace Eagle) (1981): The Japanese variant of the F-15 Eagle, built under license, serving as a dedicated air superiority fighter. This collaboration highlights the global reach of McDonnell Douglas’s designs.
  Mitsubishi F-15J Peace Eagle air superiority fighter for Japan

• Boeing (Hughes) AH-6 / MH-6 Little Bird (1980): Light attack, observation, and transport helicopters, originating from the Hughes stable.

• McDonnell Douglas / Boeing MD-80 (1980): A narrow-body jet airliner series, a significant workhorse in commercial aviation.
  McDonnell Douglas Boeing MD-80 narrow-body jet airliner

• Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F-15 Eagle (1976): A legendary multirole and air superiority fighter, one of the most successful jet fighters ever built. The F-15 is often discussed when considering the world’s fastest fighter aircraft due to its impressive speed and climb rate.
  Boeing McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle multirole air superiority fighter

• McDonnell Douglas YC-15 (1976): A tactical airlifter transport aircraft prototype, part of a program that eventually led to the C-17 Globemaster III.

• McDonnell Douglas / Hawker Siddeley AV-16 Advanced Harrier (1973): A STOVL fighter-bomber/attack aircraft proposal, demonstrating interest in advanced vertical flight capabilities.
  McDonnell Douglas Hawker Siddeley AV-16 Advanced Harrier STOVL fighter-bomber proposal

• McDonnell Douglas DC-10 (1971): A wide-body, long-range airliner and freighter aircraft, a significant competitor in the commercial market.

• McDonnell Douglas F-4 Wild Weasel (1969): An electronic warfare variant of the F-4 Phantom II, specialized for suppressing enemy air defenses.

• McDonnell Douglas C-9 (Nightingale / Skytrain II) (1968): A transport aircraft derived from the DC-9 commercial airliner, used for various military roles.

• Saturn V (1967): Although not an aircraft, the Saturn V expendable space rocket is included as a major aerospace project that McDonnell Douglas contributed to.

Douglas Aircraft Company: The Jet Age and Beyond

Before the merger, Douglas was a powerhouse that transitioned from propeller-driven aircraft to the jet age, producing iconic fighters and bombers.

• Douglas B-26K Counter Invader (A-26B) (1966): A tactical support and ground attack aircraft, a modernized variant of a WWII design used during the Vietnam War.

• Douglas AC-47 Spooky (1965): A fixed-wing gunship variant of the classic C-47 transport, demonstrating creative adaptation of existing airframes for new combat roles.
  Douglas AC-47 Spooky fixed-wing gunship aircraft

• McDonnell Douglas RF-4 Phantom II (1965): A tactical reconnaissance variant of the F-4 Phantom II, essential for intelligence gathering.
  McDonnell Douglas RF-4 Phantom II tactical reconnaissance aircraft

• McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II (1960): A legendary multirole and carrier-based fighter/strike fighter. The F-4 was incredibly successful and adaptable, serving numerous nations in various roles, becoming a definitive cold war combat aircraft. Its development marked a peak for the speed of fighter aircraft during its era.
  McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II multirole carrier-based fighter

• Douglas DC-8 (1959): A medium to long-range passenger jet airliner, Douglas’s response to the Boeing 707.
  Douglas DC-8 passenger jet airliner

• Douglas F6D Missileer (1959): A carrier-based fleet defense fighter/interceptor proposal designed around carrying large, long-range missiles.

• Douglas C-133 Cargomaster (1957): A heavy-lift military transport aircraft, a vital logistical asset.

• Douglas A-3 Skywarrior (1956): A carrier-based fleet air reconnaissance and strategic bomber aircraft, later adapted for tanker and electronic warfare roles.

• Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (1956): A lightweight attack multirole carrierborne fighter aircraft. Despite its small size, the “Scooter” was a highly effective and widely exported combat jet.
  Douglas A-4 Skyhawk lightweight carrierborne attack fighter aircraft

• Douglas B-66 / RB-66 Destroyer (1956): A tactical light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, based on the A-3 Skywarrior.

• Douglas F4D / F-6 Skyray (1956): A high-altitude carrier-borne interceptor aircraft, distinctive for its delta wing and impressive climb rate. This was a pure Douglas Fighter Aircraft designed for speed and interception.

• Douglas F5D Skylancer (1956): A fighter prototype and technology demonstrator, an advanced development of the F4D Skyray that did not enter production but contributed valuable research data.

• Douglas A2D Skyshark (1954): A prototype carrier-based attack aircraft featuring a turboprop engine.

• Douglas X-3 (Stiletto) (1952): A research aircraft designed to investigate sustained supersonic flight. While not a combat aircraft, it was crucial for understanding high-speed aerodynamics, relevant to developing aircraft with high top speed fighter aircraft capabilities.

• Douglas F3D / F-10 Skyknight (1951): A carrier-borne night-fighter aircraft that saw combat in Korea and Vietnam, proving the viability of jet-powered naval night-fighters.

• Douglas C-124 Globemaster II (1950): A heavy-lift transport aircraft, easily recognizable by its clamshell loading doors.

Post-War and World War II Contributions

Douglas played a monumental role in World War II aviation, producing vast numbers of aircraft for the Allied forces.

• Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket (Phase 2) (1948): An experimental high-speed research platform that broke the sound barrier and later reached speeds exceeding Mach 2.

• Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak (Phase 1) (1947): The initial experimental research aircraft in the Skyrocket program, designed to study transonic flight.

• Douglas A-1 Skyraider (AD-1) (1946): A single-engine, single-seat fighter-bomber/ground attack aircraft. This powerful propeller-driven aircraft saw extensive service through the Vietnam War, a testament to its robust design and capability in the attack role.
  Douglas A-1 Skyraider fighter-bomber ground attack aircraft

• Douglas XB-43 Jetmaster (1946): An experimental bomber aircraft, one of Douglas’s early ventures into jet propulsion for bomber designs.

• Douglas C-74 Globemaster (1945): A strategic heavy-lift transport aircraft designed towards the end of WWII.

• Douglas XTB2D Skypirate (1945): A prototype heavy torpedo bomber aircraft developed for the US Navy.

• Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader (1944): A twin-engine medium bomber / heavy attack aircraft. Highly versatile and produced in large numbers, serving long after WWII.

• Douglas BTD Destroyer (1944): A torpedo/dive bomber aircraft prototype for the US Navy.

• Douglas Model 423 (1944): A heavy bomber design proposal that did not proceed to production.

• Douglas XB-31 (Raidmaster) (Model 332) (1944): A super-heavy bomber aircraft design proposal, representing ambitions for long-range strategic bombing.
  Douglas XB-31 Raidmaster super-heavy bomber design proposal

• Douglas XB-42 Mixmaster (1944): An experimental pusher bomber aircraft with a unique engine configuration.

• Douglas C-47 (Skytrain / Dakota) (1942): A medium transport aircraft, derived from the DC-3, arguably one of the most famous and prolific military transports of all time. While not a us fighter aircraft of ww2, the C-47 was absolutely vital to supporting Allied operations.
  Douglas C-47 Skytrain Dakota military transport aircraft

• Douglas C-54 Skymaster (DC-4) (1942): A four-engine military transport aircraft, also a crucial logistical asset during and after the war.

• Douglas P-70 Nighthawk (1942): A night-fighter aircraft conversion of the A-20 Havoc. This adaptation highlights the need for specialized roles during wartime.

• Consolidated B-24 Liberator (1941): A four-engined strategic heavy bomber aircraft. While primarily a Consolidated design, Douglas was one of several manufacturers that built the B-24 under license during the war to meet demand.
  Consolidated B-24 Liberator four-engined heavy bomber aircraft

• Douglas A-20 Havoc / Boston (1941): A light bomber / night-fighter aircraft, widely used by Allied forces in various roles.
  Douglas A-20 Havoc Boston light bomber night-fighter aircraft

• Douglas A-24 Banshee (1941): A dive bomber / reconnaissance aircraft, the Army Air Force version of the SBD Dauntless.

• Douglas XB-19 (XBLR-2) (1941): A heavy bomber aircraft prototype, one of the largest aircraft built at the time, used for research into large aircraft design.
  Douglas XB-19 heavy bomber aircraft prototype

Early Douglas Designs

The foundational years of Douglas Aircraft Company, starting in the 1920s and 1930s, laid the groundwork for its later successes.

• Douglas XP-48 (1940): A lightweight single-seat point defense fighter aircraft proposal, reflecting early ideas for fast, interceptor-style aircraft. This was a dedicated douglas fighter aircraft concept, though it didn’t progress.

• Douglas B-23 Dragon (1939): A medium bomber, maritime patrol, and crew trainer aircraft, an evolution of the B-18 Bolo.

• Douglas VTB (SD-114-6) (1939): A carrierborne attack aircraft proposal for the US Navy.
  Douglas VTB SD-114-6 carrierborne attack aircraft proposal

• Douglas SBD Dauntless (1938): A carrierborne dive bomber aircraft, famous for its crucial role in the Battle of Midway. While a bomber, its combat role often involved direct engagement, making it relevant in the discussion of combat aircraft history.

• Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (1937): A four-engined heavy bomber aircraft. Like the B-24, Douglas was a major license producer of the B-17 during WWII.
  Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress four-engined heavy bomber aircraft

• Douglas TBD Devastator (1937): A Navy torpedo bomber aircraft, the primary US Navy torpedo bomber at the start of WWII, though quickly superseded.

• Douglas B-18 Bolo (1936): A medium bomber aircraft developed from the DC-2 airliner.

• Douglas DC-3 (1936): Perhaps the most iconic and influential commercial airliner and military transport aircraft ever built. Its military version, the C-47, was produced in vast numbers.

• Douglas DC-2 (1934): A commercial airliner and military transport aircraft that preceded the DC-3, laying the foundation for its success.

• Douglas XFD (1933): An early combat fighter prototype aircraft for the US Navy. This propeller-driven biplane was one of Douglas’s first attempts at a dedicated douglas fighter aircraft design.
  Douglas XFD combat fighter prototype aircraft

• Davis-Douglas Cloudster (1921): A two-seat, single-engine, long-range biplane, notable as the first aircraft designed by the Douglas Company.
  Davis-Douglas Cloudster two-seat touring biplane aircraft

Conclusion

This chronological journey through the aircraft catalog of Douglas, McDonnell Douglas, and Boeing reveals a company at the forefront of aviation for over a century. From pioneering biplanes and the workhorse transports of World War II to legendary jet fighters like the F-4, F-15, and F/A-18, the company’s impact on both commercial and military aviation is profound. The history of douglas fighter aircraft is a key thread woven through this narrative, showcasing innovation, adaptation, and a consistent commitment to pushing the boundaries of flight technology across different eras and company iterations. Their designs have shaped air forces around the world and continue to influence modern aerospace development.