The Douglas DC-3
The DC-3, affectionately referred to as the "Gooney Bird", probably did more to establish air transport as a routine means of travel than any other airliner. The DC-3 was requested by American Airlines to compete with TWA, which was using DC-2's. Because American's route was longer and thus it felt it needed a sleeper plane, it was forced to operate Curtiss Condor biplanes since the DC-2's fuselage was too narrow for sleeping berths. Douglas was hesitant to begin a new airliner, since the DC-2 was proving very successful. American insisted, however, and Douglas did not want the business to go to a competitor. Thus he widened and lengthened the fuselage of the DC-2, and the DC-3 was born.
American, United, Eastern, TWA, and KLM were early adopters of the DC-3, but eventually virtually every airline had DC-3's. The armed forces of many countries also had DC-3's, known as the C-47, C-53, and R4D in this country. Douglas built a total of 10,655 DC-3's, and another 2500 were built under licence in the Soviet Union and Japan. Many DC-3's are still in service, and several have been restored to airline colors and are on the airshow circuit.
FS2000/FS98
Continental Airlines DC-3. After this DC-3 visited the Classic Airliners
home port of San Diego, I knew I had to paint this plane. Continental
uses this '3 around it's system for advertising and special events. It's
a close copy of the aircraft that put Continental in the big time - the legendary
DC-3. Last updated on 10/8/00.
FS98 American Airlines DC-3. Andre
Kemner has painted the '3 into the colors of the "Flagship Knoxville", currently
on display at the AA museum near DFW, complete with moving parts by Frans Vranken.
I think it looks great in the classic original colors - thanks! Last
updated on 8/28/99.
FS98 American Airlines DST.
Harry Follas has painted up a Douglas Sleeper Transport, the initial reason
why American had the DC-3 developed. The DC-2 was too narrow for the sleeper
berths, and thus Douglas widened the fuselage to create the DST, but when used
as a day plane it became the famous DC-3. Thanks, Harry! Last updated
on 4/24/99.
FS98 Pacific Southwest Air Lines DC-3. This
is the other PSA DC-3, I received, from the webmaster of the PSA
History Page, Kevin Trinkle. He painted his DC-3 based on old photos,
as well as the recent DC-3. This is a passenger-only DC-3, and has the
bright red and white colors that became their standard scheme for many years.
Thanks, Kevin! Last update on 10/8/00.
FS5 Pacific Air Lines
DC-3. This plane was repainted from the Paradise DC-3 included in
BAO's Flight Shop. It includes an opening door, and now I have given it
flight dynamics by Mike Vidal. It now flies and taxis like a real DC-3!
Pacific Air Lines was a regional airline which was originally known as
Southwest Airways (Skyliners, pg 88). PAL flew throughout Central California,
and was a common sight at Sacramento Municipal airport (now Sacramento Executive)
when I was a kid in the mid- to late-sixties. However, by then I usually
saw F-27's, not the classic DC-3. They also owned Martin 404's (Skyliners,
pg. 98). Last modified on 3/20/96.
FS5 Bonanza Air Lines
DC-3. I used to see these planes land at Santa Ana Municipal airport
(now John Wayne/Orange County) when I was a kid. This is the Flight Shop
DC-3 that has been only slightly modified. I've now given it the Mike Vidal
flight dynamics, and it flies and taxis like the real DC-3! Bonanza was
a regional airline that served Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada. It
was eventually merged (along with Pacific and West Coast) into Air West, then
into Republic, and finally into Northwest. Thanks to Dave McQueen for
a photo of the tail logo! Last modified on 3/20/96.