Step Inside A Factory Building 1960s Airliners
Boeing wasn't always the biggest name in American aerospace, and back in the 1960s a company called McDonnell Douglas churned out some pretty iconic civil jets that went into service across the U.S. and around the world. The company's most famous plane was probably the DC-10, a strange machine with a jet engine on each wing and a third mounted to the tail of the aircraft.
In a new video shared by excellent YouTube channel Boeing Classics, workers at the McDonnell Douglas show off what it took to assemble a DC-10 back in the 1960s.
Read more: Here's Why You Always Board Planes On The Left
The clip, which you can see for yourself above, shows four DC-10 fuselages lined up inside an enormous factory. In one, a crew is working to pack insulation into the body of the plane, while another sees crews working to seal all the workings of the plane in.
Inside another fuselage, workers are installing all manner of wiring looms and plumbing, while another is being lined with the kind of plastic window surrounds that wouldn't look out of place on a modern commercial jet.
At the opposite side of the plant, tail sections of the 300-passenger aircraft are being assembled and the housing for that third engine on the tail is being fabricated. Another side of the plant is working on nosecones, with windows being fitted to three different cockpits.
Once the three sections of the 180-foot long aircraft are fabricated, they are brought together with the 155-foot wings. The components are all carefully hauled into place, before being riveted together at the seams.
When they are connected, work begins on the mechanics of the planes with flaps and ailerons installed on the wings and tails, and equipment is strapped to the nose of the DC-10. At this point, there's a choreographed display as all manner of parts and components are swung into place while ladders are lent up against different surfaces and engineers get to work.
The final piece of the puzzle is the installation of the three engines, which were either General Electric CF6 units or Pratt & Whitney JT9D turbofan engines depending on the variant. The DC-10 was in production for almost 20 years and McDonnell Douglas churned out almost 400 of the aircraft in this manner.
While the DC-10 operated commercially from the early 1970s right up to 2014, none of the nine remaining aircraft fly passengers anymore. The majority of these remaining planes work as cargo carriers, and one remaining DC-10 is used as a firefighting aircraft here in North America.
Despite remaining in limited service today, production of the DC-10 ceased in the late 1980s after slowing sales for the commercial jet. It had been plagued with safety issues, crashes and problems with fuel economy, which meant it wasn't a popular jet for many operators.
So sure, maybe footage of the construction of a plane that was caught up in more than 50 incidents that led to the deaths of more than 1,200 people might not be the best way to look back on the golden age of American aviation.
Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox...
Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Upturn
17 minutes ago
- Business Upturn
Built for Growth: Southern Nevada Secures High- Impact Projects with $174M+ in Investment and 375+ New Jobs
Las Vegas, NV, Aug. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Southern Nevada is cementing its position as a center for advanced manufacturing, technology, and logistics, as five companies are poised to launch or expand their operations in the region. These projects received approval at the August 7th Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED), quarterly Board meeting, and will inject over $174 million in new capital investment and create more than 375 high-quality jobs, strengthening Nevada's economy and community ties. A total of seven companies, five in Southern Nevada, received approval from GOED today for a combined $11.2 million in tax abatements. In return, the seven companies are committing to creating 696 new jobs statewide over the next five years, with average wages topping $43 an hour. These projects also are expected to generate over $82 million in new tax revenue for Nevada over the next decade. 'The seven companies that have been approved today for abatements will generate hundreds of high-paying jobs and millions in investment into Nevada,' said Governor Joe Lombardo. 'These investments reflect our ongoing commitment to creating good-paying jobs for Nevadans and building a strong, diverse economy in our state.' Representing a diverse roster of industries, the following companies are set to invest in Southern Nevada with support from GOED, local municipalities, and LVGEA: Carson Manufacturing LLC New Operation | Las Vegas A veteran-owned and operated manufacturer specializing in precision metal parts, Carson Manufacturing is relocating its headquarters and production from Mexia, Texas to a new 50,000-square-foot facility in Clark County in Las Vegas. Serving the automotive, aerospace, defense, and heavy equipment sectors, Carson's expansion underscores its commitment to revitalizing American manufacturing, supporting veterans, and fostering opportunity for the workforce. The company will create 50 skilled jobs, paying an average of $32 per hour, with a capital investment of $10.2 million. 'Carson Manufacturing LLC is a veteran-owned and operated precision metal parts manufacturer proudly located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Originally founded and operated in Mexia, Texas, Carson Manufacturing made the strategic decision to relocate to Las Vegas to better serve its employees and business operations. The move was driven by Nevada's strong infrastructure, favorable business climate, and long-term economic opportunities—ultimately creating a more sustainable future for our workforce and partners,' said Robert Nikora, Director, Carson Manufacturing. Cintas Corporation New Operation | Henderson Cintas is investing $17.9 million to establish a specialty cleanroom facility in Henderson—one of only six of its kind in North America. The project involves converting a retrofit corporately owned site into a state-of-the-art cleanroom site that will serve high-tech industries such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, aerospace, and medical devices. The project will create 22 high-quality jobs with an average wage of $33.63 per hour. 'Our Henderson, NV Cleanroom facility will support high-growth industries located on the West Coast, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical device manufacturing, compounding pharmacies, electronics manufacturing, aerospace and defense, nanotechnology, semiconductors, automotive, and optics,' said Sowmya Aggarwal, VP of Taxation, Cintas. Crocs, Inc. Expansion | North Las Vegas Global footwear leader, Crocs is significantly expanding its North Las Vegas operations with a new 1 million-square-foot fulfillment and distribution center. The facility will serve as a key hub for Crocs and Hey Dude products across the U.S., consolidating distribution, improving delivery times, and optimizing inventory management. This $90 million investment will create 40 full-time jobs at an average wage of $34.03 per hour. 'We are proud of our existing footprint in Nevada and have found the state to be a highly supportive and strategic location for our business. Building on this success, we are planning a significant expansion that will involve a capital investment of approximately $90 million and the creation of 40 new full-time positions,' said Tyler Baron, Senior Director of Income Tax, Crocs Emisha Innovations New Operation | Las Vegas Emisha Innovations, an emerging tech and manufacturing startup, is investing $55.4 million to establish operations focused on semi-conductor technology and advanced computing systems. With plans to hire 250 employees at an average wage of $50.15 per hour, Emisha will play a key role in expanding Nevada's innovative ecosystem. 'Emisha Innovations is a U.S.-based technology company developing advanced photonic logic processors, hybrid semiconductor architectures, and AI-integrated computing platforms. Our flagship product, the Sol-X processor, represents a major leap in performance and energy efficiency using photonic circuits, and we believe Nevada offers the ideal ecosystem to build and scale this technology,' said Jerritt Thomas, CEO, Emisha Innovations Sport Squad, Inc. New Operation | Henderson Sport Squad, the parent company of popular gaming brands including JOOLA, is establishing an 85,000-square-foot primary distribution facility in Henderson. The project represents a $1.1 million investment and will create 13 skilled jobs with an average wage of $33.08 per hour. The new location will enhance the company's national distribution capabilities while supporting its mission to promote healthy lifestyles and interactive fun for families. 'Our new facility in Henderson, Nevada will serve as our primary distribution hub, representing a significant investment by JOOLA that will benefit both our brand and the local community. We are committed to being an active part of the Henderson community by promoting healthy lifestyles and supporting local families,' said Joshua Kim, Director of Global SCM and Operations, Sport Squad, Inc. 'These five projects reflect the incredible momentum we're building across Southern Nevada,' said Betsy Fretwell, Interim President & CEO of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA). 'From advanced manufacturing to tech innovation and logistics, companies are choosing to grow here because of our strong infrastructure, collaborative business environment, and deep talent pipeline. These investments don't just create jobs; they strengthen the fabric of our communities and position Nevada for long-term economic resilience.' These investments highlight Southern Nevada's competitive advantages, capable workforce, and commitment to innovation and community engagement. By welcoming these new and expanding companies, Nevada continues to drive economic growth and opportunity statewide. More information about each of the companies can be found below: ### About Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) is a public-private partnership dedicated to growing the economy of the Las Vegas region through intentional business attraction, expansion, and connectivity. LVGEA has been designated as one of eight Regional Development Authorities (RDA) in Nevada by the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) for 2025-2026. To learn more, visit Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Los Angeles Times
5 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Toyota braces for $9.5 billion hit from US tariff turmoil
Toyota Motor Corp. lowered its annual guidance as it warned of a ¥1.4 trillion ($9.5 billion) hit to its bottom line from U.S. tariffs that have rattled the global automotive industry. The world's biggest carmaker now sees ¥3.2 trillion in operating income for the fiscal year ending in March 2026, it said Thursday. That's down from its initial forecast of ¥3.8 trillion, and also missed analyst expectations. The carmaker reported operating income of ¥1.17 trillion in the first quarter, down 11% from a year earlier, though beating analysts' predictions for ¥890 billion. While price hikes in some regions helped that metric, the tariff impact was ¥450 billion for the period. The outlook, which coincides with the start of President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs, marks the carmaker's most comprehensive account of its likely impact beyond a previous estimate that it faced a ¥180 billion hit in April and May alone. Toyota's estimate dwarfs recent forecasts from global heavyweights as the auto industry contends with fast-changing policies that are seeing costs balloon. Ford Motor Co. said last week that it sees a net tariff impact of $2 billion, about $500 million more than the company expected previously. Meanwhile, Stellantis NV sees tariffs setting back earnings by about €1.5 billion, and General Motors Co. said its exposure is $4 billion to $5 billion. Still, Toyota has a tendency to take a conservative approach to forecasts and 'recent trends suggest potential upside, with Japan, North America, and China leading the charge,' said Bloomberg Intelligence senior auto analyst Tatsuo Yoshida. 'Toyota appears to be working on initiatives to mitigate the tariff burden — such as revising its supply chain for US-bound vehicles.' Its forecast is also more pessimistic than Japanese peers. Subaru Corp. pegs the tariff impact at ¥210 billion, Nissan Motor Co. forecasts ¥300 billion and Honda Motor Co. anticipates ¥450 billion. Toyota's shares fell as much as 2.4% in Tokyo, before closing down 1.5%. Japanese carmakers now face a 15% tariff on vehicles they send to the US after the two countries reached a trade pact last month that also includes plans for Japan to create a $550 billion American investment plan. While the rate is lower than the additional 25% anticipated by the industry, uncertainties linger over the finer details of its implementation — auto tariff discounts for the EU, Japan and South Korea have yet to be codified and until they do, cars will face the higher charge. Toyota said in July, in response to the deal, that it hopes for improved ties between the US and Japan, and called for further tariff reductions. Despite the turmoil, Toyota logged record global sales during the first half of 2025, thanks to strong demand for its gas-electric hybrids in core markets. It sold 5.5 million units between January and June, a 7.4% bump from the previous year, mostly due to robust sales in the US, Japan and China. The carmaker expects group sales of 11.2 million this year. Toyota also plans to build a new vehicle manufacturing plant in Japan's Aichi, with operations slated to start in the early 2030s and aimed at maintaining domestic production at 3 million vehicles.
Miami Herald
6 hours ago
- Miami Herald
1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner For Sale With Just 67,000 Miles
Nothing beats a convertible for summertime driving. Dropping the top and feeling the wind and sun sift through your hair is a quintessential experience behind the wheel of a car. Doing so in a piece of classic American iron adds a certain appeal that can't be replicated by anything else. That's where this 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner for sale on Exotic Car Trader comes in. You can check out the listing by clicking here. Ford's 1957 lineup of cars retained the single-headlight arrangement of the previous year, but added sweeping tailfins and fenders that came to a point. Trim levels included the "Custom", "Custom 300", "Fairlane", and top-line "Fairlane 500" in a variety of body styles ranging from a 2-door sedan to a convertible, a hardtop convertible, and even a station wagon. One of the things that set the Fairlanes apart from the Customs was their wheelbase, which was extended to 118 in versus the Customs' 116 in. Engine choices consisted of a straight-six and four different V8s, depending on how speedy you wanted your cruising to be. Thinking about selling your car? Get a value estimate and list it online with Exotic Car Trader. Click here to learn more. This particular example is a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner, the soft-top convertible version of the Fairlane trim. With just 67,000 miles since its restoration, this Fairlane is finished in one of the best color schemes of its era: a two-tone combination of Coral Sand and Colonial White. There is no mistaking this pastel beauty for anything other than a Fifties car, with just a tinge of inspiration from the upcoming sixties being visible in its body lines. Its rocketship-like aesthetics are complemented by the Continental Kit, which places the spare wheel on the rear bumper, rear fender skirts, searchlight mirrors, and enough chrome to line a path to the moon. The cabin sports a contrasting black and white vinyl interior, not as pastel-y as the exterior but still classy, with the original Town & Country radio alongside a Bluetooth-capable modern audio system and power windows. Most notably, the glove box of this Fairlane was signed by Gale Halderman, the man who worked on redesigning the 1957 Fairlane and eventually helped design the first-generation Mustang. Under the hood lies the 312ci "Thunderbird Special" Y-Block V8 mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and rear-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive powertrains wouldn't become common for a few more years at that point. No other era can truly compete with the '50s and '60s in terms of automotive aesthetics. The sweeping tailfins, rocketship-inspired touches, and oodles of chrome lining every possible detail make them stand out in any crowd. They may not be the fastest, but when you drop the top of something like this 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner and cruise down the PCH without a care in the world, speed becomes an unnecessary extra. With cars like these, it's not about when you get there, but how you get there. Yes, it's $79,000, but look at how much character and soul you get for your money. How many other modern rides at that price can provide this same experience? I'll wait. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
