Douglas World Cruiser

The Douglas World Cruiser was developed to meet a United States Army Air Service requirement for an aircraft to attempt the first flight around the world, a program called World Flight begun in 1923. The Douglas Aircraft Company responded with a modified variant of its DT torpedo bomber, powered by a 420 hp Liberty L-12 engine, and it was the first major project at Douglas for Jack Northrop. After the prototype was delivered in November 1923 and passed its tests, the Army commissioned four production aircraft, the last delivered on 11 March 1924, making five in all for testing, training and the expedition. The success of the flight bolstered the international reputation of Douglas, and the design was later modified into the O-5 observation aircraft.