DOUGLAS SECRET PROJECTS - Aircraft Concepts and Proposals from Long Beach, CA during the Cold War.

This video takes you behind the scenes at the Douglas Aircraft Company with once-Secret Projects, showing rocket planes, strategic bombers, global airlifters, and even jet airliners converted for highly-classified military missions!
Want exciting never-before-seen aviation images emailed to you twice a month? Then sign-up for our VIP Newsletter! You'll also be the first to know when new and exclusive paid premium content becomes available: www.celebratingaviation.com/vip

[@ericboehm9457]

I was an USAF structural maintenance guy at Dover 78-82. I remember everybody being invited to the base theater for a presentation on the C-X program, the next airlifter to be developed. The renderings were amazing. I assume this became the C-17.

[@darkwood777]

Thunderbirds are Go!

[@N99JH]

Awesome presentation Mike, I learned a lot - Many Thanks.

[@RyeOnHam]

I was on a self-deploy package with the KC-10 flying from Alaska to Florida, nonstop. Got to watch an A/R with our F-15's. We did, indeed, have a spare engine along with pallets of toolboxes and spares (avionics, etc.). Funny thing was that we lost our KC-10 transport to missions in Kosovo and had to find our own way back to Alaska. Non-stop on a KC-10 was MUCH better than four separate flights and about 18 hours of layovers. I was also at Barksdale right after we lost 190. There was still a portion of the wreckage, most notably the radome, near the runway. There was also still the big scorch mark where she burned down. The scuttlebut was that the fuel transfer pump draining the wing tanks was inop and when it ran dry it kept going, overheated, and caused an explosion.

[@RocketmanS2K]

Mike, of course you know that now you have to cover other manufacturers' concepts and prototypes too. Can't wait! 😄

[@KarrasK5]

Douglas Aircraft will always be in our hearts! DC-10 Forever! Thanks Mike for another great video

[@Horsefingerandthetaintwrights]

My Pops worked for Douglas in Santa Monica. He finished off 46 years in HB. I had plenty of your work hanging on my walls as a kid. Thank you. That was an awesome presentation.

[@mjf1036]

Outstanding episode this week Mike. I love viewing all the work you and your colleagues created. It is so nice that these images can now be shown to a worldwide audience.

[@PhantomLover007]

Great video. Thank you for posting it. A lot of different concepts that I’ve never seen before. I know that MDD had been swallowed up by Boeing, and the F-4 Phantom is my all-time favorite aircraft. Seeing them referred to as Boeing, made my eyes burn. I will never, ever, refer to them as a Boeing aircraft. They will always be in my heart, a McDonnell Douglas air frame.

[@scootertooter6874]

I went to work at MDAC in Huntington Beach in 1988. When I walked into the plant for one of the first times, I noticed a huge display model on a stand of a white C-17. It was the proposed EC-17, "Replacement Worldwide Airborne Command Post" (R-WWABNCP)...seems like yesterday!

[@hairy-one]

"Are we not men? We are Dougloid." I worked on the 9 line in Long Beach 78-82. If you're interested, one YC-15 is on display outside the main gate of Edwards air force base along with a display of century series fighters. Worth the short side trip from Rosamond.

[@Yosemite-George-61]

Bô ! How about the X-3! Hahaha... it WAS a good airplane! First titanium structure, all that slow speed data, the inertia coupling data... the afterburners... o'l Bridgeman earned his pay and made life easier at Lockeed! Your paintings are great, love'em! Thanks for the video, cheers from Normandy.

[@keithtarrier4558]

These are awesome planes... if only... As always, an awesome video with incredibly interesting info and illustrations/photos.

[@TJRohyans]

Flew multiple times on the KC-135, but never got the chance to fly on a KC-10. I know the boom operators preferred the arrangement of their position on the KC-10 vs. the KC-135.

[@handy335]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@johnnyallred3753]

As always a very enjoyable and informative video!! I could look at the art work for hours! Thanks Mike.

[@mikelynn4754]

Once again brilliant piece of work Mike. Thank you. I remember seeing the YC-15 at Farnborough in 76 and being hugely impressed, it was like Thunderbird 2 had arrived! And of course being a Brit would luv to have seen the HS Hawk in USAF service. Thanks again and look forward to next video.😀

[@GustavoMonasterio]

Wonderful video as usual, Mike! The aircraft shown were really icurious! Greetings from Brazil!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Thank you Gustavo, and Happy Holidays!

[@FLT111]

I sometimes wish McDonnell never merged with Douglas. Douglas was pure class, building some excellent aircraft that were well built, easy to maintain and lasted a life time!

[@dedeshields]

Thank you for this. Brought me back to my childhood where my grandfather (who worked at Douglas in Santa Monica and Long Beach) would sit me on his lap and show me drawings of what he worked on there.

[@thegavel628]

Very Cool. Many Thanks.

[@zeroelus]

Love your channel, unique content you'll never find in any other place in KZbin, and we're so lucky you're sharing those vast archives you have access to with us. Keep up the great work!

[@TRUMP_WAS_RIGHT_ABOUT_EVRYTHNG]

you've out done yourself mike! thanks for another great video.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@michaelmartinez1345]

This was a great Episode Mike!!! I did not realise Douglas was in on the SST proposal 'sweepstakes' prior to this presentation & photos...

[@paulbervid1610]

Great video as always.

[@MartinCHorowitz]

Reminds me of my time working on the C-17 and the KC10.

[@homunculous007]

Your videos are a pure delight. Copious thanks.

[@Strong_UP_Calvins_zombie]

Your art is truly awesome! Reminds me of the art from GI Joe. Very very cool

[@kneedeepsnow16]

Awesome presentation... thank you so much!

[@glennweaver3014]

Great video Mike. You and your fellow aviation artists created some interesting and very attractive renderings for our enjoyment. Thank you for all you do.

[@x15galmichelleevans]

Great episode Mike. Many thanks for your wonderful historical research.

[@ivaylovitanov9389]

Amazing pictures! I love ❤️ this classic aviation pictures and paintings!

[@machpodfan]

Excellent episode, enjoyed every second of it and learned a new thing or two!

[@bertg.6056]

Wow, another outstanding and informative presentation, Mike. Thanks !

[@yetiatlarge555]

Thank you so much Mike love the videos you put so much work into him I have learned more watching your channel than a combination of all the other aviation channels I watched together. Your channel is growing and I'm very impressed by your success

[@jetsons101]

Mike, a very enjoyable watch, full on loads of information and great images. Back to work.........

[@toomanyhobbies2011]

Thank you for sharing your first-hand experiences and art.

[@mathewcaldwell4108]

As always very informative and easy to watch. Never been disappointed. My grandmother work for Douglas during the war and my father worked on the DC-8 stretch 62. So I love getting the inside information on the Douglas and Mcdonald planes. Thanks for the video's

[@alanpareis734]

Another great one. Thanks Mike. This was mostly new territory for me.

[@Commander-McBragg]

ATB FTW! Looks like the radical paper plane we used to make. Love winglets on a flying wing.

[@andreperrault5393]

Great video. I remember most of these, but some are new. Always interesting. Thanks

[@jean-louisdelezenne645]

Another stunner ! ( you once again got me with a Concorde and Tu144,!) Great presentation as always !

[@andhelm7097]

Thanks Mike brings back some memories of illustrations of advanced aircraft.😊 I saw in various magazines and books.

[@craigw.scribner6490]

Thanks, Mike!

[@dhroman4564]

Awesome video always enjoying learning more about aviation.

[@Airsally]

Very cool. Lot of great info ,and paintings. You had a awesome caree,and continue share your talents with us. Thanks.

[@FLT111]

I love your content! Keep up the great work!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@lancerevell5979]

The Douglas SST designers were obviously looking at the North American XB-70 for inspiration. 😮

[@timtate226]

Great stuff. I really love the paintings.

[@stephenkastory2322]

I enjoyed the video and I always learn something I didn’t know. Thank You

[@jim5870]

Congratulations on your award at the GOE 2024 !

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@martinpennock9430]

Just another wonderful episode Mr. Machat! Love the channel. Hope you had a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving. I look forward to each and every post. Never knew about the many aspects of advanced design. I've heard or read about some, but you put things in a much clearer perspective for me. Thanks again! As always, God bless you and your family. Thanks for everything you do! Take care always Sir!!

[@sonnyhayes689]

Thank for the walk down memory lane. During the tarmac detail assembly of C-15 project I had the privilege of a tour aboard the aircraft. The chief ground pilot, Glen Hubbard a personal friend, gave me the tour. What an amazing aircraft. Too bad it didn't go beyond the protype stage.

[@fredtedstedman]

These "what if " projects are fascinating !

[@luthermcgee3767]

Excellent artwork in these illustrations. In fact, a godsend- I'm an artist, and there's an older model here that I saw at the Bolton Airfield where I worked. Not as an illustrator ( even though I've drawn the landing gears of F-16s ) I was involved in the project of laying a new landing strip.

[@Mtlmshr]

Great work both in your job as a illustrator and the content of this video well done! I did enjoy that

[@allgood6760]

Thanks for this 👍✈️

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@major3336]

Always love to see experimental aircraft ideas of the old days. So crazy, unique, yet somehow still functional and engineered with a supposed purpose.

[@nymuseum1601]

Thanks!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks for supporting our channel - greatly appreciated!

[@roderickcampbell2105]

Great video and content Mike.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@followerofjulian1652]

Great presentation!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Thank you kindly!

[@catallaxy]

Nice renderings!

[@johnplaninac9980]

Well you’re team has done it again. Another great video on one of the great aircraft companies that has a storied history and reputation for being one the best aircraft companies that ever existed in California. To bad they are gone, but not forgotten.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

From the entire team, thanks John, and 'hope you're doing well. Appreciate the comment, as always!

[@brianwaldrop3506]

Splendidly-rendered research and presentation, Mike, and hoping for more "deep-dive" subjects such as this in the future. Well-done, as always!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@jorgwindmuller2228]

“XC-132 - never got off the drawing board” … not quite Mike as a full mock-up was built at Tulsa

[@tim250]

Great job Mike! I really enjoyed it. How about one on Grumman concepts and proposals for an ex-pat Long Islander? Please 🙂

[@craiglordable]

Thanks Mike. Saw the YC-15 ? (C-17 eventually) launch at LGB going out to Palmdale. Wow it was loud back then. I think they put different powerplants on it later on., maybe you would know.

[@paulnicoll7431]

My father worked with Art Shaw on development of the BAe hawk for the US Navy

[@p47koji]

Wonderful stuff, Machete.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Hey Koji - Appreciate the comment and thanks for watching. 'Glad you enjoyed the video. 'Hope you're doing well, and my 2020 Mustang will be my last - Ford has lost me with the new one and its 'glass cockpit.' 'Still have yours?

[@p47koji]

@@celebratingaviationwithmik9782 Sorry to hear about your 'Stang! The orange bomb's been garaged since winter. Gotta bring it our soon. Best to the fam!

[@JuanIparraguirre]

@2:43 That is not the Caspian Sea Monster, that is a Class Lun Ekranoplan, the Caspian Sea Monster had no missile pods, it was way bigger and the horizontal stabilizer had positive dihedral.

[@johannesbols57]

2:54 it looks like the rocket would introduce FOD into the engines on the vertical stabilizer. At the very least the heat from the exhaust would enter the engines and make them upset. Could a DC-10 take off from LGA at MTOW? It must've been fun for the flight deck!

[@johnosbourn4312]

Hey Mike, there was no air force Major Command know as the Tactical Training Command, instead, it was Air Training Command, untill Summer '93, when it became AETC; Air Education and Training Command.

[@yetiatlarge555]

Viewer request, I'm very interested in aircraft that have shared very different wings and tail structures and vice versa; wings and tail structures that have been on different aircraft. My point of reference is how the F104 starfighter was a relative of a U-2 with radically different aspect ratio wings. Is there enough there to make a full length video out of if there is it would be fascinating to see your perspective on it.

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

At 02:39 in this video: FWIW: Yeah, I thought of the *_"Caspian Sea Monster"_* as well.

[@fredblonder7850]

7:16: The Revell model kit - I still have mine, um, somewhere.

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

Thanks for the video. It's ironic seeing all these ideas coming are into vogue once again what with the Rapid dragon system et al.

[@SPak-rt2gb]

Thunderbird's Are Go...That's what these concepts remind me of.

[@billpugh58]

Set playback to 1.25 and it sounds normal!

[@johnosbourn4312]

Actually Mike, ATB stood for Advanced Technology Bomber, and the B-21 Raider is the end result of the LRD-B; Long Range Strike-Bomber program. The ATB Program birthed the B-2 Spirit bomber.

[@malcolmcarter1726]

The model 229 has the same canted down (in flight) wing-tips as the XB 70.

[@gendaminoru3195]

I visited the YC-15 at Davis Monthan not long ago. I would like to see what you have on the MD-87 sub chaser offerings, with it's GE 36 contra-rotating propfan engines. That would have been better than the P-8A and could have been deployed much sooner, and might have saved the concept for PAX use.

[@remylopez4821]

Another excellent video Mike, on a sidenote, concerning the KC 10 as a former flight engineer on C141 cargo aircraft when air to air refueling from a KC-10 to a T Tail type aircraft the exhaust from the number two engine ( the one on the tail) was practically in line with the horizontal stabilizer of the receiving aircraft making the pilots job that much more difficult compared to a KC 135 tanker just a little bit of info anyways again, thank you for what you do

[@remylopez4821]

On some of the Sideview profiles that you show you could see that

[@kiwitrainguy]

I wonder if, during refuelling procedures like that (they wouldn't be that common) if the KC-10 were to throttle back/power-down the tail engine to avoid the turbulence problems. Or would the reduced thrust be a problem?

[@remylopez4821]

@@kiwitrainguy to be honest I don’t remember, but I think maybe if they knew they were refueling an aircraft with a T tail configuration, they would increase thrust on engines one and three and decreased thrust on number two but I don’t remember for sure

[@kiwitrainguy]

Thanks for that.@@remylopez4821

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Back in the 'pre-internet' days, I did not quite understand what the C-133 Cargomaster was. And by that I mean I was unsure who built it. I actually thought it might have been a modification of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. {I had never seen one in person, only in photographs.} Several years ago I visited the USAF's AMC[?] museum at Dover AFB. They have a C-133 there. They actually opened it while I was there, so I got to go inside. I learned... (1) It was built by Douglas. (2) It was larger than a C-130. I have been around _Herky Birds,_ and the C-133 is DEFINITELY LARGER. (3) It was the _predecessor_ {in the strategic cargo role} to the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy.

[@Yosemite-George-61]

...y'all forgot the French DC-7 "Avions de Mesures et d'Observations au Réceptacle," ou DC-7 "AMOR"... à refaire!

[@AMStationEngineer]

We had to have met each other at one time, as I was 'deported' by Smiths, to "Wichita Beach", (Raytheon) for assisting with the avionics on the JPATS T-6A. Got tired of Pizza Hut and Pepsi darn quick! (built a 555 timer "random power timer", and connected it to a "1960's dive motel magic fingers bed massager", in a room which was assigned to a contractor who was a pain in everyone's arse.) Came close to occupying a steam grate and selling pencils on that one, but NASA picked me up instead!

[@massimoforesti]

Was there ever talk of making a tanker version of the MD-11?

[@Idahoguy10157]

Unfortunately the air force did not buy more KC-10 tankers

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Agreed!

[@stevecausey545]

When I see the ATB...I'm wondering if they had a peek at Jack Northrop's shop

[@Wild-Dad]

There are some designs that could easily be replicated using basic model aircraft hulls!

[@glennac]

Mike, how often are you out at the Museum in SM?

[@Troy_Tempest]

Hey Mike, did you ever meet Donald Douglas?

[@kevinbissett293]

My son flew a KC-10. Out of McGuire

[@adrianmarrujo3995]

I have the original Twin Engine DC-10 painting on canvas by what looks like artist "Tseigle", and on the back is L003749. Can you tell me more about this painting as it fits right into your wonderful "Douglas Secret Projects" on KZbin.

[@bosoerjadi2838]

11:06 The CP-10 LRCP must be the largest US-made aircraft ever to (going to) be equipped with air-to-air missiles. Imagine DC-10 variants getting into dogfights with Soviet airborne intruders into Norad airspace over the Arctic.

[@sundog_dd5278]

ATB stood for Advanced Technology Bomber. It was devepod from the ATA-S and the ATA-B programs, which were advanced techology aircraft-A and Advanced Technology Aircraft-B. "A" was a smaller stealth strike aircraft and B was a larger stealth strike aircraft. ATA-A lead to the F-117 program and ATA-B lead to the ATB/B-2 program.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Yes, that is correct, thanks.

[@nadermansour7487]

What sort of timeline did you have to finish paintings? Were these airbrushed?

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Our paintings were done in water-based Designers Gouache which dried very fast. Paintings usually had to be finished in about three days. Thanks for watching!

[@jaycooper2812]

It's a real shame that some of the most iconic aircraft in military history are now listed as Boeing products when they were all originally designed and built by McDonald Douglas. Im talking about the F-15 Eagle, C-17 Globemaster III, and FA-18 Hornet.

[@demizer1968]

what ever happened to the robin egg blue paint scheme that was so successful in the 80's?

[@jniltonsantanna]

Iranian Air Force used to use the 747 as tanker. Probably is or was the single user of the type.

[@davefellhoelter1343]

Grew Up 60's to 80's on the same Street as WWII Douglas and Rock Well Int Lakewood Blvd and Clark Ave. Gma Honey was a "Legal Secratary, Stenographer, Short hand with Clearances in the Industry WWII and after.. I was In Side the Boeing LB/old Douglas offices a few days Post 911 with Armed Escorts as an Eletrician. My Next Son in Law is getting all his Cirts to Work in the Very Same Area! for the Same System's, just Modern!