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American manufacturer of the DC-9, the MD-80 family, the DC-10 and the MD-11. Merged with Boeing in 1997; today the widebody types are seen mainly in cargo service.
Country: USA · 16 aircraft types
Dedicated freighters and converted passenger jets – from feeder aircraft to the An-124. Often flying at night or at off-peak times.
Transports, tankers, trainers and combat aircraft. Seen mainly at military airfields, at airshows and as visitors at civil airports.
McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II
AV-8B
A failed British-American joint project became the West’s most important jump jet: the AV-8B Harrier II was developed by McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis. Here you read how it came about, how the USMC, Spain and Italy used the jet and where you can still find it as a spotter.
McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle und F-15E Strike Eagle
F-15
Two vertical stabilizers, boxy air intakes, a huge wing: since 1976 the F-15 has been one of the best-known fighter jets in the world. Here you learn to tell the Eagle and Strike Eagle apart and why RAF Lakenheath in England is the spot for the F-15E in Europe.
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
F-4
Kinked wings, stabilators angled down, two sooty engines: the Phantom flew for 40 years with the German Air Force and still flies in a few countries. Here is how to recognize it, how its time in Germany went and where it stands today.
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
Legacy Hornet
Round air intakes, slim wing roots, two canted vertical stabilizers: the Legacy Hornet has shaped the skies over Switzerland, Finland and Spain for decades. Here is how to recognize it and tell it from the Super Hornet.
McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender
KC-10A
A gray trijet, almost without windows, with a refueling boom under the tail: for over 40 years the KC-10 Extender was the largest tanker and transport aircraft of the US Air Force. It has been retired there since September 2024 – here is how to recognize it and its relatives.
McDonnell Douglas/Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
C-17
Four jet engines under a high wing, a T-tail and distinctive winglets: the C-17 Globemaster III is the strategic airlifter of the US Air Force, the RAF and the NATO unit at Pápa. Here is how to recognize it and where to see it.
Retired types and vintage aircraft that are only seen on special flights, at air days or in museums.
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
DC-10
Two engines under the wings, the third in the middle of the vertical stabilizer: the DC-10 was one of the first widebody jets and also flew for Lufthansa and Condor. Today it is a rarity – here is how to recognize it.
McDonnell Douglas DC-9
DC-9
Two engines at the tail, the horizontal stabilizer on top of the fin: from 1965 the DC-9 shaped short-haul flying in Europe and the USA. Here is how to recognize Series 10 to 50 and tell them from the MD-80, 717 and One-Eleven.
McDonnell Douglas MD-80
MD-80-Familie
Long as a cigar, with two powerful engines at the tail: from 1980 into the 2010s, the MD-80 family was a standard jet in Europe and the US. Here is how to tell the MD-81, -82, -83, -87 and -88 apart and still find a “Mad Dog” today.
McDonnell Douglas MD-81
DC-9-81
The “Mad Dog” started with it: the MD-81 was the first production version of the MD-80 family and entered scheduled service in 1980 with Swissair and Austrian. Here is how to recognize it, who flew it and why it is a real rarity today.
McDonnell Douglas MD-82
DC-9-82
More than any other version, the MD-82 shaped the MD-80 family: hundreds of “Super 80s” at American Airlines, 90 aircraft at Alitalia, license assembly in Shanghai. Here is how to recognize it and how to still find one today.
McDonnell Douglas MD-83
DC-9-83
More fuel, more weight, more range: the MD-83 was the long-range version of the MD-80 and flew vacationers nonstop to the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. Today it hangs on as an ACMI charter jet and as a freighter.
McDonnell Douglas MD-87
DC-9-87
Shorter, more modern in the cockpit and with a distinctive fin tip: the MD-87 was the compact version of the MD-80 family. Here is how to recognize it, why Iberia and SAS defined it and why it mostly flies as a firefighting aircraft today.
McDonnell Douglas MD-88
MD-80
A classic long MD-80 on the outside, screens instead of round dials inside: the MD-88 was the last version of the family and Delta Air Lines’ workhorse for more than three decades. Here is what makes it special and where you can still find it today.
McDonnell Douglas MD-90
MD-90-30
The fuselage of an MD-80, but two thick, round engines at the back: the MD-90 brought the DC-9 family into the era of modern turbofans. Here is how to recognize it reliably, who flew it and why it has all but disappeared today.
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