75th Anniversary of the DC3

[comiso90]

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/1...+wired/index+(Wired:+Index+3+(Top+Stories+2))

The aviation era started 107 years ago when the Wright brothers first took flight. But the era of the airlines for the flying public didn't really take off until 1935 when the venerable Douglas DC-3 first took to the skies.

Seventy-five years ago the DC-3 ushered in the era of utility flight, one that continues to this day. Oh sure, the DC-3 may not top a lot of people's list of their favorite planes. It's not sleek. It's not sexy. And it's not fast. But despite a production run of just 11 years, the DC-3 remains one of the most important airplanes in the history of aviation.


The DC-3 first flew Dec. 17, 1935, 32 years to the day after the Wright brothers' first flight.

The DC-3 was a simple evolutionary advance from the DC-1 and DC-2. A pair of 1,000-horsepower Pratt Whitney engines allowed the plane to carry 21 passengers 1,480 miles at 195 mph. Within a few years airlines had bought more than 400 DC-3s. The government bought more than 10,000 of them as military transports, the C-47.

 

[timmy]

A great Aircraft. Perhaps one of the most important of the war ?

Its interesting how it dominated the Curtiss C-46, which was a much more modern aircraft design

I guess you can never under appreciate the importance of of all round durability and reliability during war time
Its up there with the PBY Catalina in that it was an Old design that could not be replaced

 

[evangilder]

To me, the DC-3/C-47 was the greatest aircraft that has ever been made, at least so far in aviation. Simple, rugged and inexpensive to maintain, it set the standard for cargo aircraft.

 

[renrich]

Just looked at a new book in the library about the DC3. There is a turbo prop version of the DC3 flying today. Can't remember what it is called.

 

[Lucky13]

The DC-3 looks far better than any of todays flying thingmajigs!

 

[evangilder]

Just looked at a new book in the library about the DC3. There is a turbo prop version of the DC3 flying today. Can't remember what it is called.

I think Basler converts them. Are you thinking of the Basler DC-3?

 

[renrich]

Evanglider, Basler is the name I was looking for. Good looking AC.

 

[evangilder]

Yep, it is a beauty.

 

[Gnomey]

Totally agree Eric. A remarkable aircraft.