| (5/30/58) On May 30, the first prototype DC-8 made its maiden flight. The plane, powered by 4 Pratt & Whitney Turbojets, flew for 2 hours and 7 minutes. The DC-8 entered commercial service on September 18, 1959, one year later than the 707 went into commercial service. Sales of the DC-8 lagged considerably behind the sales of the 707, due mainly to the fact that it was sold in one size (until the mid 1960's), while Boeing offered a number of variations of the 707. Douglas produced 556 DC-8 planes. |
