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The DC-3
Associated Press
Published June 14, 2005
The Douglas Aircraft Co. launched the first DC-3 in 1935. The fixed-wing, twin-propeller plane was a hit in the aviation world and was known for its speed, durability, safety and low operating cost.
American Airlines bought one of the first DC-3s to transport 14 passengers on its luxury nonstop flight from New York to Chicago. The plane, which cost about $80,000 in 1940, cruised at about 155 mph and had a range of 1,400 miles. The roughly 95-foot wing span was altered for some models.
The outbreak of World War II saw production of the DC-3 increase dramatically. The military plane, known as the C-47, became a legend by carrying troops and supplies into some of the most dangerous battle zones.
Almost 10,700 DC-3s and its derivatives were built in the United States, Japan and Russia by the time production ceased in the late 1940s. The DC-3 lived on for decades, often referred to by nicknames including Dakota, Spooky and Gooney Bird.
Aviation enthusiasts estimate that 700 to 1,500 are still in use.
Sources: U.S. Air Force Museum, DC-3 Aviation Museum and Associated Press.
[Last modified June 14, 2005, 01:25:21]
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