One of the most successful twin-engine jet airliners ever the Douglas DC-9 was in continuous production from 1965 to 2006. Over time the design evolved considerably, growing steadily longer and with increasing wingspans. The DC-9 and its descendants the MD-80 and MD-90 have been so popular that they survived the demise of McDonnell-Douglas and reemerged as the Boeing 717 in the late 1990s. The U.S. Air Force adopted the DC-9 as the C-9A Nightingale in 1967 for use as a medical evacuation aircraft. The Air Force also adopted the VC-9C as a VIP transport. The U.S. Navy adopted the C-9B for general cargo and personnel transport duties.
Wingspan
93 ft 5in.
Length
119 ft 5 in.
Height
27 ft 6 in.
Weight
114,000 lbs (loaded)
Maximum Speed
575 MPH
Service Ceiling
37,000 ft
Range
2,070 miles
Engines
Two Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9A Turbofans with 14,500 pounds of thrust each
Crew
2 pilots and up to 4 cabin attendants
Manufacturer Douglas
Markings U.S. Navy Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 56 (VR-56), Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia
Serial Number 159120
Designation C-9B
Pima Air & Space Museum
Creating unlimited horizons in aerospace education through the preservation and presentation of the history of flight.