History Of The Douglas Aircraft Company - 'First Around The World!' (Part 1)

Today we explore the origins of the Douglas Aircraft company.
Recommended reading:
amzn.to/3LpaCG9 (McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920, Vol I)
amzn.to/3Lp7Mkx (McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920, Vol II)
amzn.to/44PGz1h (Honest Vision: The Donald Douglas Story)
amzn.to/44QnmN0 (Doland W. Douglas: A Hear With Wings)
Looking for aviation-themed art? → ikarusart.net/
Want to join the community? Visit our Discord - / discord
Want to support the channel? I have a Patreon here - / rexshangar
Sources:
Francillon.R.J (1979), McDonnel Douglas Aircraft Since 1920: Volume I.
Morrison.W.H (1991). Donald W. Douglas, a Heart with Wings.
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:06 Donald W. Douglas Sr.
00:07:51 The Davis-Douglas 'Cloudster'
00:13:25 The Douglas Company Is Formed
00:14:18 The Cloudster Story Continued
00:18:17 The Douglas Torpedo Bomber
00:28:43 The Douglas World Cruiser
00:39:16 The Douglas O-2 Observation Planes
00:47:09 The Douglas Mail Planes
00:49:31 Observation Planes (Continues)
00:51:37 Attempts At Civil Aircraft
00:56:03 Douglas C-1 Transport
00:58:22 The Douglas Aircraft Company Is Formed

[@RexsHangar]

F.A.Q Section Q: Do you take aircraft requests? A: I have a list of aircraft I plan to cover, but feel free to add to it with suggestions:) Q: Why do you use imperial measurements for some videos, and metric for others? A: I do this based on country of manufacture. Imperial measurements for Britain and the U.S, metric for the rest of the world, but I include text in my videos that convert it for both. Q: Will you include video footage in your videos, or just photos? A: Video footage is very expensive to licence, if I can find footage in the public domain I will try to use it, but a lot of it is hoarded by licencing studies (British Pathe, Periscope films etc). In the future I may be able to afford clips :) Q: Why do you sometimes feature images/screenshots from flight simulators? A: Sometimes there are not a lot of photos available for certain aircraft, so I substitute this with digital images that are as accurate as possible.

[@jelkepunter5989]

Aaa

[@MonkeyJedi99]

Something worth looking into regarding "losing your voice recording long videos" could be vocal exercises that singers use to increase their vocal stamina. - I guess it is much like any other muscle. proper and carful exercise can prevent later injuries.

[@garyrunnalls7714]

Ta 152 FW 190

[@MrJJSimonds]

As an interesting aside... kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHaohouCiJKnY8U

[@christianbaeseler1861]

can you please cover the DORNIER WAL?

[@Mattie123]

This is what I love.. long, detailed, informative, and exstreamly enjoyable. More of these will be much anticipated by many and hopefully many, many more. Thank you, Rex 😊

[@JakobM16]

Agreed, dense, and packed full of niche information, just the way I like it.

[@mistformsquirrel]

Rex literally putting out a documentary miniseries... freaking amazing!

[@maxsmodels]

Got this bit of cool Douglas lore from a friend who worked there: Take a close look at that barber shop (08:50) and the "first Douglas factory" (09:23). That's the same sign in both, and in the window right next to the door of the '1921 factory' is the reflection of a 1940's car. Those photos were actually taken in 1941 for the Company's 20th Anniversary. They found a barber shop and an old warehouse in Santa Monica, put the sign up, and shot those photos for the 20th Anniversary brochure, but they're used in every historical documentary today.

[@therealniksongs]

Rex, you are becoming the Drachinifel of the Air. Great work.

[@jaydee3993]

Thanks Rex! My father started at Douglas in 1950, retiring 29 years later.

[@RexsHangar]

Working for manufacturers in the early jet age would have been so interesting!

[@georgen9755]

no one works for 29 years ....this is quite exaggerated Douglas wright brothers naval academy aeronautical engineering tale ? aircraft industry ...... Glen Martin F ._____....

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

That’s great. I am finishing my 40 year aerospace career. The last 34 at Boeing. But, my Boeing career started on the C-17 in Long Beach, which was the old Douglas then McDonell Douglas.

[@geoffkeeys6946]

Awesome video. Sometimes you just take it for granted that a company is known for certain aircraft. Then, along comes Rex to show us all just how they got to where they are along with all the trials and tribulations. Well done, sir.

[@finnbradley3230]

What a wonderful way to start a Thursday morning! Thank you Rex's Hanger for such interesting and inspiring content!

[@billymayshere6128]

I have absolutely always wanted deep dive docs about all the pioneers and their ascension to the top of the world and eventually to the stars.

[@johnculver2519]

A circumnavigation time of 175 days doesn't compare well with the standing 36 day record using marine transport, yachts and trains set in 1913. It's one of those records that really shows how rapidly things change when by 1931 it's under 9 days.

[@Maungateitei]

Yeah, And today's sardine tin dangerous as hell Aircraft don't come close to even the pre ww1 luxury Airship services across the Atlantic. Having had to suffer repeat viewings of lying boasting propaganda films on 12 hour torture flights across the Pacific about the "amazing American achievement of being the first to deliver mail across the Atlantic in 1948", was vomit Inducing, knowing that US jealousy of the Far in advance of their current technology today, safer, more efficient... Airship Transport the Germans had given the World by the early 1930s was a prime reason for the US initiation of both WW1 and WW2. This "If we can't match it then kill them, and lie repeatedly until everyone believes it" crap has come to its end. No one believes the brown stuff septic tank seppo Yanks spout anymore. This video is not worthy of inhabiting pixels on the screen.

[@ejt3708]

Do remember that speed was not a goal. Rex mentions how they took their time to do maintenance and do public relations. The US was paying for it, and they were not stupid.

[@m.streicher8286]

​@@ejt3708no matter what their goal was, 175 is a lot more than 36.

[@larryweitzman5163]

I forgot to mention that my dad worked for Douglas from about 1943 until his untimely death in 1968. Being a leadman in prototype, he worked directly with famed Douglas designer, Ed Heinemann.

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

That’s great! Those were heady days!

[@larryweitzman5163]

@@jamesdellaneve9005 I lived through that period with my dad. I was just a young kid, but was reading Aero Digest and Aviation week since I was 8 years old. I still read a bit of AWST but most study General aviation birds now. And yes I am a pilot with 3,000 hours and lucky to have great aviation experiences then and now.

[@cammobunker]

The old Douglas O2 series were rather famously known as an aircraft you could maintain with a basic toolbox and a little ingenuity. What a great video.

[@mrjockt]

These are the sorts of aviation videos I enjoy, learning about the companies that built the aircraft, the people that started those companies as well as the history of the aircraft themselves.

[@simtalkayak]

After a string of 10min videos and our lord and saviour telling us that long form videos are coming.. he HECKING delivered a 1hr Doozy!! Thanks!!

[@Doomrider47]

I'm a lore and history goblin, always love long format like this. Really allows (in my opinion) both you and the subject to really breathe. Helps give perspective and all those little nitty-gritty details that can get lost when you focus on small scale videos.

[@S1337theoddoneout-ip9xc]

You say "really long videos" like this video was a burden to watch. I, personally find this 1hrs long video very enjoyable! I'm looking forward for part 2 and 3. You're delivering your trademark quality only in a much bigger amount, please continue.

[@mobo8074]

I like long but not too long films (anything requiring 2 h scares me, I'm busy and I need to divide the film etc) Regarding one model 20 - 30 min, company around 1 h (can be in parts), more complex topics like evolution of an army thinking about air force - 1,5 h in parts. I think you are currently hitting these limits nicely and I listen to your material always with great interest. Great job and thank you for your hard work and dedication!

[@stewartgregory3364]

Great, love it. Can't wait for part 2 & 3. Had relatives that worked for Douglas. Even went to Douglas night at Disneyland as a kid (as did Kevin Costner). Would love to know of the story behind the sale of the DC4E to Japan in 1940, as well as Licensing production of the DC2 to Japan.

[@csours]

"The concept of an armed and aggressive Postal Service..." - Hear me out - A TV show set in the 1930's, wherein a Postal Inspector has to solve all kinds of mysteries, including spies, spooks, mail fraud, etc, etc, in their fully armed Douglas M-2.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

In the words of Herodotus: Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these courageous couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. With a bit of Dirty Harry: Fabricati diem, punc.

[@allangibson8494]

The concept of armed postmen isn’t that unusual (with postal workers being at least as well armed as the average soldier for most of the 19th and 20th centuries) but the German Post Office’s nuclear weapons program during WW2 was probably a stretch for most people (yes, it was one of two German nuclear programs).

[@shelsmith2001]

Rex, this was absolutely amazing. I love these deep dives. And just when I thought you would run out of new topics to cover! You are my go to for everything that is historic aviation. 🙏

[@alxazar]

My honest reaction was : "Oh nice. Nice. Nice nice nice!" love the long form content !

[@jayfelsberg1931]

Looks like we will get not only a story of a great aircraft company, but the sage of aircraft technology

[@GARDENER42]

I appreciate these long format videos, even if I don't watch them in one go.

[@danandlynncrivello9504]

My dad worked for McDonnell Douglas for 30+ years and would have loved this doc. Thanks so much for your efforts.

[@manoa76]

I've been curious about the history of Douglas Aircraft since I grew up near the Long Beach facility in the 50's and 60's. Thanks for this very informative series.

[@RosslynFlint]

Part one was GREAT ,looking forward to part 2. Cheers

[@maxsothcott4484]

What an excellent piece of work! Thank you! Bring on the next two!

[@vdubboy85225]

Very enjoyable. Thank you. I do like this format. Easy to listen to, and a wealth of information about a great subject. Looking forward to the second part and more.

[@MediumRareOpinions]

Ah long form content, painstaking to make but so gladly received. I really appreciate a video that dives into a topic in depth.

[@JoshuaC923]

1 hour of Rex? Oh yeah

[@Baron-Ortega]

Oh wow, liked straight away and watching now! Thankyou!

[@bhumiriady]

Thank you so much for making this video, Rex! I enjoyed it so much and it made me know more about the early beginnings of Douglas. Looking forward to part 2 of this series.^^

[@Aettaro]

I definitely enjoyed the long video format. Gave me something to listen to while I was getting ready for work.

[@sheepFP5]

Absolutely brilliant work Rex! I can't wait for the rest of the series, Douglas made some great aircraft right up until the last of the mad dogs!

[@mikehinkle5761]

Subscribed, etc. But - I agree with earlier comments. Your docs are informative, fun, detailed to JUST the right level of info, and ALWAYS a pleasure to see when a new one is uploaded! Thank you!!!

[@rjmacreadyoutpost3121]

Just found this and will watch all three episodes! My Uncle was a WWII Army Air Corps pilot. He ended up working for Douglas for a long time, eventually becoming one of their vice presidents out in LA.

[@jimellison3358]

My wife's father was one of the head aerodynamicist for Douglas Aircraft from shortly after World War II up until his death in 1972. He was head of design for the A4 Plus many others, including the planes used by the blue angels

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

That’s great! Did you get to swap stories with him? Did they live in Lakewood?

[@gjforeman]

Amazing documentary! In 1979 I started working for an obscure subsidiary of McDonnell Douglas in Hazelwood, a suburb of St Louis. As a lifetime airplane geek, it was fun to watch all the MDC aircraft coming and going from nearby Lambert Field. The F15s would turn upward and disappear going nearly straight up. Looking forward to the next Douglas episodes.

[@MrDan557]

Fantastic historical research, knowledge and clear and concise narrative. Amazing work Rex!

[@Flight72]

Rex I have to watch it later... I am so busy now... But this THE one I won't miss I'll keep it in the favourite list! Thank you

[@RemusKingOfRome]

Another great video, I didn't know about Douglas .

[@marcusott2973]

Much awaited, much appreciated looking forward to excellent insights as always from

[@Michael-fi3uu]

I was hoping to look at the date of this video and see it was made a year ago, I really would love to see the next parts, I can’t wait. This was a great video

[@OrangesAndCookies]

Rex, this is great! Your narration is absolutely on point, and truly indicates that your channel has come into its own. Well done, and I can't wait for Parts 2 and 3!

[@airportreview913]

Love the vids man great way to end the Thursday

[@MarcWeertsMusic]

Excellent video! Didn’t feel long, very interesting and varied.

[@joeconnolly89]

great vid really good and waiting for the next one

[@alganhar1]

Excellent as always.

[@michaelkinville177]

I grew up in Sitka, Alaska, and I've loved everything aviation since childhood. I never knew that the first circumnavigation of the world by air brought the expedition to Sitka, but in learning of it, I can see it so vividly in my mind. What a moment! What an adventure! I'd love to learn more about the experience of the crew who crashed and their personal story.

[@gcatwyo]

Excellent Rex!

[@peterbrown6224]

Thank you, this must have taken many weeks of your effort.

[@m.i.andersen8167]

Top notch! Besides being very interesting, doesn't feel too long, and makes me look forward to the next episode, this video is an excellent example of what "old school" TV style with few and mostly static images, and a speak, can be a fantastic format if it is so thoroughly researched, very serious, and disposed with a perfect balance between historical information, technical details and the big picture. Just like a really good movie, it didn't seem like over an hour had passed when the video ended. Thank you! Rex.

[@Manymanboy]

Ive been looking for videos like this on specific aircraft companys that are super indepth for a long time and you have made my dream come true

[@odysseytecharts8144]

Great video Rex! Looking forward to the next 2 parts!

[@bbrut3332]

Thank for an informative account of Donald Douglas's early years. It is remarkable that his early designs worked and worked well and lasted in many different variations. Please hurry with the next installment.

[@shooter2055]

That was nice. --more like Drachinifel's naval stuff. Thank you!

[@SuperchargedSupercharged]

Learned a lot of things, thank you for the long format.

[@bmobert]

This was really cool. I learned loads. Love the extra long content: listened to it all in one go. Thank you!!

[@Birdii1980]

Loved this episode! Cant wait for the next installment! 😃

[@williamlaforge4517]

Great presentation! Super details. Thank you

[@GaryJohnWalker1]

Much appreciated and enjoyed. The format was good and as it held my attention - looking forward to the next episode.

[@drlong08]

@18:17 I can appreciate the footholds on the sides of the planes. I have the same on my Allegro RV and I'm glad they are there.

[@henrythewhite]

This is great! I don't want these *all* the time, but I love having these deep dives in your rotation, and it's especially interesting seeing them when they cover some aircraft you've already had videos on (or are promising videos for in the near future).

[@ehh300]

Can't wait for part 2! This is the 1st video I'v come across for this channel and its a happy subscription as I go to watch some of the others. Thanks!

[@drstevenrey]

May or August, this work makes that question totally irrelevant. Thank you Rex. You rock, massively.

[@Trizza84]

This was a great format! I actually listened to this during my commute like I would a podcast. It worked well even without having eyes on screen. Good stuff 😊

[@VictorySpeedway]

Fascinating. Looking forward to the rest. Thanks!

[@grantovenden2646]

Absolutely brilliant, thank you for the huge effort put into this!

[@paulevans3261]

Outstanding!! Thank You. Always love listening to your voice, so please continue on but break them up so that we do not lose that soothing voice of yours!

[@USNVA11]

Exceptionally well done presentation sir. Very much looking forward to part two !

[@manuelcavero9978]

Excelent video, Rex! As a Douglas fan I learned a lot of Douglas aircraft previously unknown. Very well presented, covering the early years. I will be looking forward for the next two parts. Kindest regards from Mexico City.

[@user-oq7xg8jo5g]

A fantastic video. One of the best I have ever seen on KZbin. Love the occasional humour injected into the narrative. Looking forward to watching the rest of your videos. Well done and thank you Chris

[@pythosdegothos6181]

This was a great way to spend some time. Very well done.

[@CarmineRC]

Absolutely fantastic!! Can't wait for part 2. This was properly thorough, not the sound bites that others call documentaries. Cheers!! 🍺🍺

[@williammorris584]

Wonderful, your longer efforts are a great bookend to the Greg’s Airplanes videos. Id never seen that shot of the World Cruiser landing on floats, looks like it handled beautifully.

[@ErichHaubrich]

This video is truly outstanding. You have provided a carefully-curated history of an iconic figure in a very compelling fashion. Cheers, mate.

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

An absolute blast. Keep 'em comin', mate.

[@a50204b123]

Amazing video, truly. It’s long but very interesting and informative. Can’t wait for the second and third parts mentioning the DC-3, MD series, and F-15 eagles.

[@plflaherty1]

Great vid, the hour flew by!

[@melvyncox3361]

Amazing documentary! Looking forward to the next two parts. Nice One (or is it three!), Rex

[@gyrene_asea4133]

Very interesting presentation. Thank you.

[@slartybarfastb3648]

Well done! Douglas has always been one of my favorite companies, yet it seems little is produced on the history of the company and Mr Douglas himself. Thank you for this.

[@michaelcronin9895]

You have created a wonderfully informative and interesting video thank you. Very much appreciated.

[@xrrider650]

Fantastic ! Looking forward to watching part 2.

[@WayneT51]

G'day Rex. Thank you for that, I'm looking forward to the next episodes.

[@gandora0738]

Thank you rex for these videos. On this, I really love long video format and can't wait for the other two parts to come out. Thank you again.

[@40over86]

Thanks Rex! Great stuff ..... keeps getting better and better.

[@18hornet]

Thank you for the videos Rex !!!!

[@sunshadow7XK]

I like the long-form videos because they form a nice background on which I can do stuff like paint miniature aircraft.

[@sergioleone3583]

What a treat. Looking forward to the next installments!

[@XXfea]

Massive.. provocative... brilliant! Bravo 👌👏

[@warrenjones744]

Outstanding Rex.

[@jamespriest7885]

Excellent presentation. Having flown in DC3s, DC6s, DC8s, a C124, and a C17, I am glad to have an opportunity to learn more about the forerunners of those outstanding airplanes. The long format is fine. Thanks.

[@bruces1g]

Outstanding and fascinating! Well researched and documented as well as superbly produced. The beginning of long format documentary channel? Sign me up!

[@JDK73772]

Absolutly loved it! Keep video's like this coming please.

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

Wow! Cudos to you for some awesome work on this vlog! I am looking forward to pt.2 and 3. Make more like this. Keep up the good work! Be safe!

[@britthinkle5715]

Wow! Great great documentary. I’m a fan!

[@jeffreyhamilton7061]

Quite an amazing amount of information.

[@randyhavard6084]

Excellent video, looking forward to part 2 and 3

[@maryclarafjare]

This is completely excellent, hubby & I learned a lot!