The DC-3 is one of the world’s most identified aircraft of all time. Born in 1935 from a marathon conference call between American’s CEO and the Douglas Aircraft Company, it was designed to give American Airlines the competitive coast-to-coast edge over arch rival TWA. A sleeper prototype version first flew on Dec 17, 1935, the 32nd anniversary of the historic flight by the Wright Brothers. It was proven an immediate success.
The 1936 production began with 7 planes, equipped with sleeping compartments, followed quickly by the standard version equipped with 21 seats. WWII soon followed and the military needed a dependable and extremely durable cargo transport plane. It had to be usable in all conditions around the world and the DC-3 fit the bill. The military version became known as the C-47. Other countries saw the benefits in this workhorse and contracted to have models made for them as well.
The last production model rolled off the assembly line in 1950. Between all the variations, over 15,000 of these aircraft were built. In the 1950s, a number were refitted with the more modern turboprop engines giving even better performance. Despite the 80 year old design, there are still an amazing number that are still in service around the world today. Pilots of this aircraft are quoted as saying that the only replacement for the DC-3, is another DC-3.
This image was made at the annual Wings Over Homestead airshow in 2012. The Flagship Detroit was manufactured in 1937 and the 21st of American Airlines’ 84 DC-3s. It’s registration number is NC 17334 and it is one of the oldest DC-3s still flying. Discovered in Virginia, it was purchased by the Flagship Detroit Foundation in 2004 and restored in honor of all American Airlines’ employees. Today, it’s mission is traveling from airshow to airshow, giving on-lookers a vision of early air travel and an aircraft that helped shorten the distance between our two coasts.
Image info:
3 Frame handheld HDR, Processed with Photomatix Pro, LR and Nik Silver Efex 2